^^^y: 


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>, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


A 


^ 


;  I 


1.0 


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I.I 


^121    125 

US 

12.2 


12 


IL25  i  1.4 


2.0 


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IE 
1.6 


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HiotDgraphic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  M5B0 

(716)S72-4S03 


' 


4 


.}  I 


^' 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  IMicroreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Tachnical  and  Bibliographic  Notaa/Notaa  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquaa 


Tha  Instituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  aignificantly  changa 
tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


D 


D 


D 


D 
0 


D 


D 


Colourad  covars/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I      I   Covars  damagad/ 


Couvartura  andommagAa 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  rastaurAe  et/ou  pelliculAe 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gioyraphiquas  en  couleur 


□    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

I      I   Colourad  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  an  coulaur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autras  documantr 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrde  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  inttrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certainas  pages  blanches  ajouttas 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaiasant  dans  la  texte, 
mais,  lorsqua  cela  Atait  possible,  cas  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmAes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  la  meillaur  axemplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  At*  poaaibia  da  aa  procurer.  Las  details 
da  cat  axemplaira  qui  sont  paut-Atra  uniques  du 
point  da  vua  bibliographiqua.  qui  pauvant  modifier 
una  image  reproduita,  ou  qui  pauvant  axiger  una 
modification  dans  la  mAthoda  normala  de  filmaga 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dassous. 


I     I   Colourad  pagea/ 


D 


Pages  de  coulaur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagAes 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaurAes  et/ou  pelliculAes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxe( 
Pages  dAcolorAes,  tachetAes  ou  piquAes 


[~~l    Pages  damaged/ 

r~1    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

r~71    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  dAtachAes 

QShowthrough/ 
Transparence 


Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualiti  inAgalo  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materi<(l/ 
Comprend  du  material  supplAmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  disponible 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Lea  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  una  peiure, 
etc.,  ont  M  filmAes  A  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Th 
to 


It 
pe 
of 
fil 


Oi 
be 
th 
sit 
ot 
fir 
si< 
or 


Tl 
sh 
Tl 
w 

M 

be 
rifl 
re( 
m< 


This  item  is  filmed  at  tha  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-deaaous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

J 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  filmed  her*  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  film*  fut  reproduit  grAce  h  la 
gAnArositi  de: 

Bibiioth^que  nationale  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Las  imeges  suivantes  ont  AtA  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet*  de  rexemplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avec  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  In  printed  paper  covers  are  fllmea 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimAe  sont  filmte  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmte  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaltra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  -^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE ',  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  Le  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmte  A  des  taux  de  rMuction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  11  est  film*  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supAriaur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


;     t.   : 

2 

3 

f 


6 


COMPLETE 


ID3SV(DIB7 


OF 


CONNECTICUT, 

CWil  and  Ecelesiaaticai, 

PBOM  THE  EMIGRATION  OP  ITS  FIRST  PLANTERS, 
\j^  PROM  ENGLAND,  IN  THE  YEAR  16S0, 

^  TO  THE  YEAR  1764; 

;     -^N^  ?0  THE  CLOSE  OP  THE  INDUN  WARS. 

■■"**"      '^    .  "  ■-«'"''''  '.^ 

Ur   TWO    VOLUMES. 


..|:-, 


^) 


BY  BENJAMIN  TRUMBULL,  D.  D. 


Vol.  II. 


NEW-HAVEN:      "'^,4'  ^^*-    *:';•  ,.;^  .^,. 

PUBLISHED   B?   BALTBy,   OOtDSMITH  A#D   C» 
AND   SAMUEL   WAUSWORTH. 

'i 

t./'                            1818.        •     -.,          „  '   .:,'i'  /W-^    ,; 

i 

'""W 


196893 


District  of  Connecticut,  ss. 
*!>£  it  remembered,  that  on  th«  twenty-second  day  of  June,  in  the  42d  year 
*^  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  Maltby,  Goldsmith 
k,  Co.  and  Samuel  Wadsworth,  of  the  said  district,  have  deposited  in  this  of- 
fice the  title  of  a  book,  tlie  right  whereof  they  claim  aa  proprietors,  in  the 
words  tbllowing,  to  wit:  '*A  complete  History  of  Connecticut,  civil  andeccle- 
*^  siastical,  from  the  emigration  of  its  first  planters,  from  England,  in  the  year 
"  1630,  to  the  year  1664 ;  and  to  the  close  of  the  Indian  wars.  In  two  volumes. 
*^  By  Benjamin  Trumbull,  D.  D.  With  an  Appendix,  containing  tlic  original 
"  Patent  of  New- England,  never  before  published  in  America*^ — In  conformity 
to  the  act  of  the  Conf;resa  of  the  United  States,  iintitled,  "  An  act  for  the  en- 
couragement of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to 
the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned." 

R.  I.  INGERSOLL, 
Ckrifc  of  tlic  District  of  Connecticut. 


Ad" 


,ftl-.v;,".;*4^« 


rUT.VACT.  TO  \0\..  A\. 


THE  collection  of  matPriala  for  the  writinj;,  nnd  the  romnilln';  of  thfi 
first  history  of  ii  »taU',  or  nation,  is  far  more  ditlinilt,  tliaii  iUiiii^  it 
after  otliers  have  gon«!  before,  and  exhihit«'d  some  outline,  or  j;enoral  t-x- 
ainple  of  the  work.  Especially  is  the  collection  of  mnteriaU,  and  the 
substantiatinK  of  facts,  more  difficult,  and  matter  of  greater  laSour,  whi;n 
the  business  naa  not  been  undertakrn  till  a  long  period  has  passed  away, 
from  the  first  settlement  of  a  country  or  a  commonwealth.  Under  these, 
difficulties,  the  writer  of  this  history  began  the  laborituis  work.  Almost 
a  century  and  nn  half  had  elapsed,  from  the  time  of  the  emigration  of  the 
first  planters  of  the  colony,  irom  their  native  country,  before  the  work 
was  attempted.  The  fathers  of  the  colony,  and  their  children,  were  ge- 
nerally in  their  graves :  a  third  and  fourth  generation  were  come  upon 
the  stage.  The  materials  were  scattered  far  and  wide.  They  were  to 
be  collected  from  t^ie  records  of  two  colonies ;  from  the  records  and 
transactions  of  the  commissioners  of  the  united  colonies ;  of  towns  and 
churches ;  from  ancient  tracts  and  pamphlets ;  from  old  manuscripts,  the 
church  yards,  and  monuments  of  the  dead.  Many  of  them  could  be 
read  but  with  great  difficulty.  When  the  collection  of  proper  documents 
was  effected,  the  arranging  of  such  a  mass  of  papers,  and  the  forming  of 
an  orderly,  well  connected  and  authenticated  story,  from  the  whole,  was 
a  matter  of  great  and  difficult  labour.  The  compiler  would  never  have 
conceived  the  greatness  and  difficulty  of  it,  had  he  not  known  it  by  expe- 
rience. No  person  will  conceive  it,  who  has  not  had  some  experience  of 
the  same  kind. 
When  the  compiler  had  finished  the  first  volume,  he  had  no  design  of 

Eublishing  another.  He  considered  the  work  too  arduous ;  that  it  would 
ring  the  history  down  too  near  his  own  times  ;  and  that  he  was  too  fur 
advanced  in  life  for  such  an  undertaking :  but  he  has  been  so  strongly 
urged,  by  gentlemen  of  the  fii-st  character,  in  this  state,  and  many  others, 
and  the  first  volume  has  met  so  favorable  a  reception,  that,  with  the  de- 
sire of  doing  some  further  service  to  his  fellow  citizens,  he  has  been  prc- 
Vciiled  on  to  publish  this  second  volume. 

It  has  been  his  desire  to  give  the  history  of  every  town  in  the  state ; 
but,  after  publishing  his  design  in  the  newspapers,  with  heads  of  inquiry, 
and  writing  a  multitude  of  letters,  he  has  not  been  able  to  obtain,  from 
some  towns,  the  least  information.  He  has  visited  a  great  proportion  of 
the  towns  in  the  state,  and  written  to  gentlemen  in  them  repeatedly,  yet 
he  has  not  obtained  all  tlie  information  he  wished,  ft  will  be  observed, 
that  some  towns  arc  almost  wholly  unnoticed  in  the  history.  The  only 
reason  is,  that  no  information  could  be  obtained  from  them. 

For  the  purpose  of  giving  a  fair  and  just  repiesentution  of  facts,  much 
more  has  been  quoted  from  records,  various  pamphlets,  tracts  uluu  let- 
ters, tlian  otiierwise  uould  have  bten  done.     Fov  that  piu'|iiiae,  u>iny 


*l< 


I  '    PREFACE. 

thinKB  haw  been  <-ollecte«l  and  read,  to  which,  otherwiae,  the  compiler 
WMuTd  have  paid  no  attention,  (imi  paini  have  been  taken  to  ascertain 
fai'lR,  and  to  write  an  impartial  and  well  authenticated  history  :  how  far 
he  hath  succeeded  in  his  work,  must  be  left  to  the  opinion  of  the  public. 

It  was  the  intention  of  the  writer  to  have  given  an  account  of  the  cities 
in  tlie  state,  their  latitude  and  longitude,  their  tnule,  manufactures,  Sic. ; 
of  thu  state  priHon ;  of  the  fisheries ;  of  the  exports  and  imports ;  of  the 
militia,  train  of  artillery,  fortifications,  &ic. :  but  finding  that  the  volume 
would  not  admit  of  it,  tie  has  omitted  the  account  which  he  designed. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  pains  which  have  been  taken,  it  wilf  not  be 
strange  if,  in  such  a  variety  of  facts  and  dates,  there  should  be  some  mis- 
takes. There  may  have  been  some  in  the  great  number  of  historical 
communications  made  to  the  author,  and  it  is  not  improbable  that  he 
has  made  some  himself,  though,  he  hopes,  none  very  material. 

Ho  has  had  assistance  from  gentlemen  in  the  several  parts  of  the  state, 
in  making  collections  of  the  history  of  their  particular  towns.  To  them, 
and  to  all  others  who  have  given  him  assistance,  he  presents  his  grateful 
acknowledgments. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  ecclesiastical  part  of  the  history  is  kept  by 
itself,  in  distinct  chapters,  and  comprises  about  a  third  part  of  the  nisto- 
ry.  It  would  make  a  volume  by  itself,  and  might  be  printed  separately 
without  any  derangement  of  the  narration.  <        ' 


'<«■'. 
'^'i'^.' 


*«*•«> : 


.*^ 


t 


.n  .    .  --■\i 


'  ill.-'.';-.;     ■» 


.;«,  IzSj* 


Ik 


(t)(DS1VI£S9VS3o 


CHAPTER  I. 

AT  ATE  of  the  Churchca,  continued  from  Book  I.  Chapter  XI^.  Att 
ti>in|its  for  the  reformation  of  manners.  Ant  of  ABsembir,  and  report 
of  the  General  AsHociation  relative  to  the  subject.  Resolutions  of  the 
(jenei-al  Assembly  in  consequence  of  said  report.  State  of  Uie  Col- 
lege. Divisions  concerning  the  place  in  which  it  should  be  established. 
Donations  made  for  its  encourasement.  A  college  house  is  erected  at 
New-Haven.  Books  removed  (rom  Savbrook  to  the  library  in  that 
place.  Opposition  to  their  removal.  Loss  sustained.  Mr.  Cutler  is 
api)ctinted  Hector,  but  soon  embracing  Episcopacy,  is  dismissed  from 
otnce.  Tlic  students  are  instructed  by  the  trustees.  Mr.  Elisha  Wil- 
liams chosen  Hector.  Encouragement  for  schools  and  the  general  dif" 
fusion  of  knowledge. 

CHAPTER  II. 

The  discovery  and  opening  of  mines.  Laws  and  encouragement  in  be* 
half  of  the  miners,  and  of  those  who  were  engaged  in  carrying  0n  th<; 
business  of  mining. 

CHAPTER  Iir. 

The  importance  and  benefits  of  a  stable  currency.  Attei.J.ri  of  the  Le- 
gislature to  this  subject  The  manner  of  the  emission  of  bJIs  of  credit ; 
of  the  payment  of  tne  public  debt ;  and  of  provision  for  the  defence  of 
the  colony  and  his  majesty's  service.  Answer  to  their  Lordships*  let* 
ters.    Depreciation  of  the  currency. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  colony  in  fear  of  losing  th«ir  Charter.  Measures  adopted  to  pre« 
vent  it.  Mr.  Winthrop  complains  of  the  colony.  In  an  appeal  to  his 
Majesty  in  Council,  in  a  case  between  him  and  Thomas  Linchmere, 
Esq.  he  obtained  a  sentence  by  which  a  certain  law  of  the  colony,  en- 
titled an  act  for  the  settlement  of  intestate  estates,  was  rendered  null 
and  void.  The  colony  declare  that  they  will  not  surrender  their  char- 
ter, and  pray  for  the  continuance  of  the  !tct  relative  to  intestate  estate^. 

B 


to 


«.o\ti:nts. 


W«ri  uitli  Jlir  KiiMrrn  lii(li.in'».  Atli  iiipt-*  In  ip;:.  S  tiirm  l)y  trralv.  T.lr 
;ilt««k  aii<l  pliimlrr  iJ"  t'nrihn.  A  iri-.ity  ni;'i  t:iin»  is  pnunii^fd,  buf 
jinvrntKl  liy  lli»-  iiM-iis'iin-t  of  lln-  Homhi".  L»tni  of  tlii»  linliaiH  to  tin* 
(iouriu»r.  I>i;illi  of  Toxns.  A  ww  Sat-hfin,  Hinl  <hanK»' of  affaire. 
i\llt  ni|it  MM  Norridp-wiM-k.  Tin- IimIi.iiis  avi  ii;;<'  lh<- in**!!)!,  raptivatr 
a  niimlMT  ui  thf  Knulisli,  ,iii*l  burn  Uninswiik.  War  i^  |in»claiinc«l  a- 
giuiisi  thnii.  lioviTiKtrs  Sbu««'  antl  Htirm  t  (i|«|>ly  In  <'oiiniTtiruf.  for 
i»s-*i^l;iiir«'  ill  tbf  war,  Tbe  fiiniiy  siiriiri  .♦•  Cmvi  jiihI  olhiT  hurlions, 
uiiii  laki'  a  iiimibprof  fli-hiiiK  vfSHi-ls,  Klliol's  arMl  Ui)l»inM>ii'«  Mirc«'«n 
HI  attacking  thnn.  Ki-markablc  (b'livpram-i' of  iIih  ra|>tivi:H.  Attaric 
on  Ar(tw»irk  iflaml.  W^-stbrook  ami  Harniar'n  •'X|)«"<Ulion.  Atti'inpts 
of  tin-  I'iikII^Ii  t(»  iMignKf  th»'  Six  Nations  in  a  war  ii^ainst  llu-  Kasitt-rn 
Imliann.  They  H«'n<J  «b'l»'i;at»'S  to  BoHton.  Coh-hy's  action  with  tbi) 
•  nrniy.  Attack  on  SrarboroiiRh,  Falmouth,  and  otiirr  placts.  Re- 
solutions of  thfl  LfB^i^*latn^p  of  (loniifr.tirut  n«lafivi>  to  th«!  war.  Men 
kilk'd  in  vurioiin  plarc!*.  Captaiti  Winslow  and  his  men  killrd  :  Hhal- 
lopH  and  schooner  takfn.  The  EngliHh  tak«  and  destroy  Norridge* 
nuck.  Niiinbert*  of  mrii  Htiijirised  and  kilUul  in  variouH  piaci's.  Ap- 
plication iH  niad»!  again  to  Conn(>rticnt  for  asMistanco.  The  reasons 
ivhy  thi'  Lcgislaturo  would  not.  join  in  ollensivu  war.  Capldin  LovellV 
fight.    Peace  \»  made.     Obaervattons. 


''•!.' 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Grants  and  sottlcmenis  of  the  lands  in  the  colony  which  had  not  been 
KJ'Hntod  and  settled  before  tlie  year  1713;  principally  in  the  counties  of 
Windham  and  Litchfield.  A  m<»re  particular  account  of  the  settle- 
ment of  the  towns  of  Lebanon  and  New-Milford,  than  has  been  given 
in  the  first  volume  of  this  history.  Settlement  of  the  towns  of  Ashford, 
Tolland,  Bolton,  Stafford  and  LitchAeld.  County  of  Windham  forra- 
«'d.  SomerH  and  Wiilington  settled.  Incorporation  of  East-Haddam. 
Extraordinary  noises  formerly  heard  in  that  town.  Settlement  and 
inairporation  of  Union.  Controversy  between  the  government  and 
the  towns  of  Hailford  and  Windsor,  relative  to  the  lands  within  the 
County  uf  Litchfield :  the  disorders  and  troubles  occasioned  by  it  in  the 
colony.  Agreement  between  the  government  and  the  said  towns. 
The  lands  in  controversy  divided  into  townships  and  measured.  Or- 
ders fur  the  sale  of  those  of  them  belonging  to  the  colony,  by  auction, 
at  diflerent  times  and  places.  The  money  arising  from  the  sale  to  con- 
st ittile  a  permanent  fund  for  the  benefit  of  schools  in  the  colony.  New- 
.Fairfield  settled  and  incorporated.  Description  of  the  new  toWQships : 
their  progressive  sale  and  settlement. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

ScPAnATiON  at  Guilford.  Rev.  Mr.  Ruggles  ordained  at  Guilford,  a- 
^ainst  a  large  minority  in  opposition  to  him.  The  minority  separate 
irom  the  church  and  society.  The  legislature  interpose,  and  attempt  a 
reconciliation.  The  minority  persist  in  their  separation ;  and  qualify 
themselves  for  a  distinct  ecclesiastical  society,  by  conforming  to  tlie 
act,  of  William  and  Mary.  Resolutions  of  the  consociation  of  the  coun- 
ty of  New-Haven  respecting  them.  They  refuse  to  comply  with  said 
fesolutions.    In  consequence  of  it,  forty-six  church  mcmDers  were  sus- 


iONTK.NTS. 


II 


p«*nil>-(l  frum  thr  rnmmtiniun,  by  >lr.  Kukk''"'  "')*!  'I*''  fli^t  r!itirrh  iu 
4}>ii|)'inl,  from  whom  thty  hud  »«-|MrHtf(l.     Art*  ul'  tht;  4Jfii«Tnl  \* 
m-iitl>ly,  iiiul  cuunfih,  roncfriiirig  ihfiii.     iirvnt  naiiia  tHkrn,  ami  H' 
ptitii  "1  iiiiriiipUnuiile,  fur  many  yvura,  tu  unile  the  partit'4,  but  all  uu 

HUCtlSllnl. 

CIIAPTKR  Mil. 

tlr^KRAi,  it  rtf  of  thi'  rhiirclieti  in  Connrt'ticut  niid  Neu-KoKlniul.  Iliv 
vivitlx  urr«-li,;ton  in  iioin*;  few  ()liic*-!«,  Itefuir  tht;  |rn-at  uiitl  Kcn«>r:il  re 
viva!  in  17.i7  ami  I7.-)H,  afTU  i'S|»<.'riHlly  in  17(0 and  1741.  Soini'  oi'tht- 
|irinri|)'il  in>*triinii*iils  of  it.  (Jrvut  o|i|Mt8itioii  tu  it  by  iiui)i;iilr)il«'A  inul 
nunit>t«-r>.  l^awst  cn.ictcd  against  it.  I'rincinul  oppost* m  of  thu  work 
ofCiodat  that  time.  Diaurdvis  atl«ndiii|$  il.  s«-paiation!i  from  tlu- 
rhurcht'H  ituun  nlie r.  Spirit  and  cliaructer  uf  thusv  whu  !M>|»aratfd  from 
the  minixtcrH  and  cliurc()L')t  ut  that  tlmv.  Iluppy  cll'ecta  ui  lliu  wurk  in 
general. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

■S^PAJJiHH  and  French  war.  The  colony  pnt  into  a  slatfl  of  dofencff.  Kx- 
pedition  a|;ain»t  the  Spanish  s«>ttlementa  in  tin;  W«>!)t-Indi«>s.  Regi- 
ments raised  in  the  rulunies.  Ilia  majvaty'H  ri*(|ni!iitiun  of  the  rolouy. 
Measures  adopted  in  compliance  with'it.  Porto  Kello  attarked,  taken, 
and  plunderea.  Unsuccessful  expedition  against  Carthagena  and  Cu> 
ba.  The  French  declare  war  against  LIngJand.,  f'anso  taken  by  the, 
French,  ^.xpedition  against  ('ape  Breton.  It  surrenders  to  Admiral 
Warren  anil  General  Pepperell.  Sickness  among  the  Provincials  whu 
kept  garrison  there.  Tne  elTecta  uf  its  capture  on  the  French  court. 
The  Duke  D'Anville's  armament.  Alarm  m  Ncw-Fngland.  Hi^  total 
failure.  Supftlies  furnished  bv  Connecticut  during  the  war.  The  ge- 
neral iJTects  uf  it  un  the  colonies.     Pacification. 

CHAPTER  X. 

Thk  reception  of  the  twvns  of  Woodstock,  Suflleld,  Enfield  and  Somers, 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  Coiniecticut ;  and  the  grant  of  the  same  privi- 
leges to  the  societies  and  churches  in  those  towns  which  the  ecclesias- 
tical societies  and  the  churches  in  this  colony  enjoyed.  The  opposition 
made  to  it  by  the  province  uf  Massachusetts,  and  means  oi  defence 
adopted  by  Connecticut. 

CHAPTER  X\/      '    ' 

A  Spanish  ship  arrives  at  New-London,  in  distress.  The  cargo  is  un- 
laden, and  stored  in  that  port.  When  it  was  called  for  by  the  super- 
cargo, a  great  proportion  of  it  could  not  he  found.  Don  Joseph  Migu- 
el, the  supercargo,  refuses  to  sail  without  the  whole  of  his  cai^o.  Pe- 
titi(»iis  the  assembly.  The  resolution  of  the  Icgislatiire  respecting  it. 
Ferment  in  tlte  government  in  consequence  of  it. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

The  history  of  the  College  continued  from  Chapter  I.    Its  state  under 
»lie  rt'cturship  of  Mr.  Williams.    Donations  made  to  it  while  he  prcM^- 


IS 


€X)NTKNTS. 


fA.  Up.  n'fliRno.  Thi-  Rr v.  Thonipn  i'\n\t  rhourn  prmiilfnt.  A  nvw 
rhnrt^r  Kr.-iiitrd.  A  iifw  «'ii||fp(i>,  or  4'iHiii«-«-tirut  linll,  huilt.  FrofcM- 
»or  of  Divinity  M-ttlrtl.  I<ab(iri«  niMl  duimtions.  EiM-mie«  of  llir  rnl- 
leci-  writr  aKaiiiMt  it.  I'l-tilioii  thr  mtM-mbly  to  t«kf  it  out  of  thr  IiaoiU 
of  the  corpornlioii,  nii(Miiiit  viiiiton,  br.  The  itrt-Hidrnt  a|t|H-ant  and 
|il«;iid<t  tht*  niiitf  of  tin*  rolU*Ki*  Im  Ion- th«  asiirnibly.  Clin|H-|  iit  huilt. 
All  account  ui'  doiintiuiw  it  iiU«r»p«neU. 

CHAPTKa  Xllf. 

'DirricrtTirti  ariiic  n(  Milford,  on  thr  arcoiint  of  Mr.  Whitlelsiy.  |)c- 
hatcH  and  hoat  in  th«*  rounril,  ralh'd  to  ordain  him.  ThiTC  whh  Much 
npuoiiiti(»n  to  hin  ordination,  that  th«*  rtiunril,  at  flntt,  roul<)  nnt  a|;r«;«>  to 
onlain.  Hut  aflfrwardu,  on  nirtain  conditionn,  agrnMl  upon  Ity  thn 
partieH,  proret^d  to  hiH  ordination.  Th«  minority,  who  oppoMul  hin  or- 
dination, fulAI  the  condition  mutually  agreed  upon.  But  the  innjority 
would  hy  no  mt'ans  comply  with  it.  They,  on  the  contrHi-y,  hy  all 
meauH  oppoHvd  th«-ir  aKi;ri*>v«>i|  brethren.  The  minority,  Hoine  time  af- 
ter, having  (|iiiilifl<-d  themselves  acrordinfc  to  law,  separated  from  the 
flrst  church  and  itocietv,  and  held  a  distinct  meeting  by  themHelven. 
A"  the  association  would  give  them  no  advice,  or  countenance,  they 
put  themselves  under  tlie  presbytery.  Thev  call  and  ordain  Mr.  Prud- 
den.  Ohtuin  n  release  from  taxation  by  the  Arat  society.  They  are 
vested  with  the  privileges  of  other  ecclcBinstical  societies,  and  obtain 
their  portion  of  the  parsonage  lands. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Separation  at  New-Haven.  Causes  of  it.  Councils  called  by  the  peo- 
ple who  were  diwHatisfted  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Noyes.  The  doings  of 
those  L^uncils.    The  call  and  installation  of  the  Kev.  Mr.  Bird. 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Frkkch  war  in  1755.  Reasona  of  it.  Colonel  Washington's  expedition. 
Convention  at  Albany.  Expeditions  against  Nova-Sc^tia,  fort  du 
^uesne,  Crown  Point  and  Niagara.  Exertions  of  the  Northern  colo- 
nies, especu-Mly  of  Connecticut.  Success  in  Nova-Scotia.  Defeat  of 
General  Braddock.  General  Johnson  defeats  Baron  Dieskau  and  takes 
him  prisoner. 

t 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Campaign  in  1758.  War  proclaimed.  British  generals  appointed. 
Troops  raised  by  Connecticut.  Plan  of  the  campaign  in  1756.  The 
British  generals,  Abercrombie  and  lord  Loudon,  arrive  in  America. 
The  reception  of  his  lordship.  Dilatory  and  unaccountable  conduct 
of  the  generals.  Colonel  tJradstr^et  is  attacktsd  by  the  enemy  and  de- 
feats them.  Oswego  invested  and  taken  by  general  Montcalm.  Loss 
at  that  post.  Comparison  between  the  campaigns  in  1705  and  1756 
The  enemy  continue  their  ravages  in  the  southern  colonies- 


,.i3ii 


C'O.NTt:NT8  M 

CIIAI'TKH  XVII. 

^lirr4K4TioN«  fur  Ihr  rnm|tni;;n  in  I7.'t7.  Th«*  plnii  of  npi^ntioii  in  A 
jncrira  t-hnnic*-*!,  and  l.<iiii)iburg  brcnmcii  iIn  only  ultjfrt.  Ttii!«  vian  n*- 
infomii  anil  lilt*  rxiM'tlitioii  |Mitit|»oii«-<l.  Kort  Willinin  llrnry  ii«  laki-ii 
Ity  tin-  Pnrirli.  Tin;  rountry  in  alarintHl,  and  ^rrat  ri-infori'cnirnt.i  <*(' 
till'  militia  Ht'nt  forward  to  AH»nny  and  fort  Kdward.  Thf  canipaisu 
rloH)'H  witii  loHH  and  itUuiiie.  Tliv  |>ruviiH'iiU«  lunu  uU  cunflUeucu  in  tho 
liritinli  cuiiiinaudcr«, 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 


CiiA^ror  of  mm  and  monftufps.  PInn  of  tin?  rnmnaiKn  in  I'M'..  Th« 
rolonii*!*  rnfouraKHl  again  to  ext-rt  tlwniiu'U«*ii.  K%traordinary  rxiT' 
tioiiH  of  C'onni-tticut.  Armnment  ngainst  IjuuiHlnirK.  IIh  Hirgr  and 
raptiin*  li\  gtuicral  Amikfrst.  Army  nnd«T  giMHTal  Alwrrroiulii*!.  It^ 
d*>f«-at  at  'rirondt'rosa.  Fruntcnac  taken  hy  roloni'l  UradHtrrol.  V.x- 
p«>dilion  agninnt  dn  Qiiesiie — taken  liy  general  Furbes.  Th«3  (;en«!raj'i 
di-atli  at  I'hiladclphia. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 


^LANoftho  campaign  in  17r>f>.     Mr.  Srrretarjr's  Pitt  lottor. 
lionH  of  th<!  legislature  of  I'onnvctirut,  relative  to  the  war. 


Tr.:rtaf-< 


Kxp«*<ii- 
tions  HgainHt  ^iconderogn  and  Crown  Point,  Niagara  and  i|uebec. 
Tieonderoga  and  Crown  Point  abandoned.  Niagara  taken.  Siegi;  of 
Qtieber.  Action  at  the  falls  of  Montmorenci.  The  camp  removed  to 
Point  licvi.  The  troops  land  above  the  town.  Battle  of  Qtieher« 
(ieneralH  Wolfe  and  Montcalm  killed.  C^uebec  surrenders.  Movc<» 
metitM  of  general  Amherst  on  lake  Champluin. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

State  of  the  garrison  at  (Quebec.  Designs  of  Monsionr  Levi.  His  pre- 
parations for  the  Hiege  of  the  city.  Marches  with  his  army  from  Mont- 
real. Battle  of  Sillery.  Ueneral  Murray  defeated,  ana  Queliec  be- 
fcieged.  Lord  Colville  arrives  with  the  British  fleet.  'Fhe  French 
shipping  destroyed,  and  the  siege  raised.  Preparatioan  for  the  cam- 
paign in  1760.  Plan  of  it.  Resolutions  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
Connecticut  respecting  it.  Movements  of  general  Amherst.  He 
goes  down  the  river  St.  Lawrence.  Makes  a  junction  nith  generals 
Murray  and  Haviland  at  Montreal.  The  city  surrenders,  and  tliu 
whole  country  of  Canada  is  conquered. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

War  with  the  Cheroktes.  Reasons  of  the  war.  The  chieftains  of  the 
nation  go  to  Charleston  to  treat  of  peace.  The  haughty  insidious  con- 
duct of  governor  Littleton.  Peace  made  by  constraint.  The  whole 
nation  bum  with  resentment ;  rush  to  war  as  one  man.  Make  terrible 
slaughter  and  devastation  on  the  frontiers  of  Carolina  and  Virginia. 
Their  towns  destroyed.  They  take  fort  Loudon.  Colonel  Grant  des- 
olates their  country  with  fire  and  sword.  They  make  peace,  and  the 
jrvhole  country  is  qiuetc(j. 


14  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

IlEqi;is<Tio\  on  tiircolotiirs  in  ITRl.  Mr.  Pitt's Irtter.  Act«orthp  As- 
sembly, in  fon»«i'qu('nc«;  of  it.  The  hiiHin«>si)  of  this  campaign,  in  Amer 
icn,  was  principally  directed  to  the  n^pairinp  and  building  of  rortr(*<ise<<, 
and  Ui  H«.'cnrt!  thr  cunqut-sts  which  had  hcfn  made.  The  critical  state 
of  tin*  ni'.tion,  at  tin-  close  of  the  yoar  1701.  Kvonts  of  the  year  17G2. 
infliiuncing  the  hi-lligen-nts  to  peace.  Pacification  of  Paris.  Favour- 
able to  tin;  American  c«)lonies.  Iturthen  of  the  colonics.  Supplies* 
from  England.  Kfl'ects  oftiie  war.  Policy  of  Coiniecticut,  in  defray- 
ing its  espen:<es.  Ueiicral  Joy  and  feelings  oftlie  Americaui,  on  the 
return  of  peace. 

CHAPTER  XXin. 

U.NEXPr.cTF.D  Indian  war.  The  reasons  of  it.  The  eneujy  ravage  tht 
frontiers  of  the  fiout hern  colonies.  Take  sev.'>"'  JjUglish  forts.  At- 
tempt the  rcducUun  of  forts  Pitt,  Detrriit  antl  xiiagafa.  Battle  at  De- 
troit. The  enemy  attack  coUmttl  Bouquet,  and  are  defeated.  They 
destroyed  a  detachment  of  men  near  Niagara.  Were  finally  humbled 
and  made  peace. 

..     .  k 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

ScsquEHANXAH  pufchasc.     Resolve  of  the  assembly  in  favour  of  the. 
company.    The  settlement  of  the  land  commences.    Colonel  Dyer  is 
SMiut  to  the  sourt  of  Great-Britain,  as  agent  for  the  company.    The  col 
«ny  assert  tbeir  claim  to  the  lands  comprised  in  tlte  purchase. 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

Controversy  nt  Wallingford.  Mr.  Dana  called  to  preach  there.  The 
church  and  society,  without  the  advice  of  the  association,  invite  him  to 
settle  with  them  ni  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  An  opposition 
.irises  against  him  on  account  of  his  religious  sentiments.  Attempts  are 
made  to  obtain  satisfaction  relative  to  tlie'm,  but  none  could  be  obtain 
ed.  The  opposition  increaseth.  A  complaint  is  exhibited  against  him 
to  the  moderator  of  the  consociation.  The  consociation  is  called  at 
Wallingford,  and  an  ordination  council  at  the  same  time.  The  church 
and  Mr.  Dana  deny* the  jurisdiction  of  the  consociation,  and  Mr.  Dana 
re''iises  an  examination  by  it.  The  ordaining  council  separate  them- 
selves from  the  consociation,  and  protest  against  it.  They  proceed  to 
Mr.  Dana's  ordination  in  direct  opposition  to  the  conaociation.  The 
consociation  adjonrn,  and  invite  the  neighboring  consociation  of  the 
southern  district  of  the  county  of  Hartford  to  unite  with  them  in  coun- 
cil. Tiiis  united  council  declare  Mr.  Dana  and  hia  church  guilty  of 
scandalous  contempt.  The  minor  part  of  the  church,  who  opposed  the 
ordination  of  Mr.  Dana,  are  owned  as  a  distinct  church,  by  the  consoci- 
ation. The  minority  are  made  a  distinct  society,  and  the  Rev.  Simon 
Waterman  is  ordained  pastor  over  that  part  of  the  church  and  town: 
.disputes  And  divisions  in  the  colony  fe]ativ«  to  said  transactions. 


I  ONTENfj^. 


IS 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

A  f'ATAi.ooiir.  of  the  Tongrrgational  ami  ('onsoriatod  JHinistPP3  ofCoiv- 
ni'cticut,  from  the  year  1713  to  llie  yrar  1704,  iiiclusivfly. 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

*ii»TOHV  of  the  Epijcopal  church  and  ministn-s  in  fonnediftuf,-  Croni 

1713  to  1764. 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Skktches  of  the  Separates  and  Baptist?. 


APPENDIX. 
No.  I.— PiAN  of  a  proposed  Union  of  all  the  American  coterties,  in  1751. 

JN'o.  11.— nENEKAi  View  of  tlje  state  of  Literature  in  Connecticut,  in 

1«17. 


!in  in  coun- 


fe  '.M'' 


Tifk 


■  kfi 


HISTORY 


"*« 


or 


Connecticut. 


CHAPTER  I. 

State  of  the  churches  continued  from  Book  /,  Chapter  XlX. 
Attempts  for  the  reformation  of  manners.  Act  of  Ass  em- 
hly,  and  report  of  the  General  Association  relative  to  the 
subject.  Resolutions  of  the  General  Assembly  in  const' 
quence  of  said  report.  State  of  the  College,  Divisions 
concerning  the  place  in  which  it  should  be  established. 
Donations  made  for  its  encouragement.  A  college  house 
is  erected  at  Kew-Haven,  Books  removed  from,  Saybrook 
to  the  library  in  that  place.  Opposition  to  their  removal. 
Loss  sustained,  Mr,  Cutler  is  appointed  rector  ;  bxit  soon 
embracing  episcopacy,  is  dismissed  from  office.  College  is 
instructed  by  the  trustees,  Mr,  Elisha  Williams  chosen 
rector.  Encouragement  for  schools  and  the  general  diffu- 
sion of  knowledge, 

AFTER  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  of  the  colony  had  Book  it. 
been  established,  and  had  time  to  operate,  the  church-  v,^-v-^^ 
cs  became  more  regular  and  harmonious  in  their  discipline, 
enjoyed  more  general  peace,  and  their  nuiiibers  constantly  Effects  of 
increased.     But  the  long  and  distressing  war,  in  the  reign  tution"'*' 
of  Queen  Anne,  had  injured  the  morals  of  the  people,  oc- 
casioned the  emission  of  a  considerable  number  of  bills  of 
public  credit,  and  retarded  the  sale  and  settlement  of  the 
lands  belonging  to  the  colony.     Therefore  on  the  termina- 
tion of  the  war,  several  important  objects  arrested  the  at-  objects  oi 
tention  of  the  legislature.     The  first  and  principal  were  attention 
the  refoi-mation  of  manners,  the  advancement  of  literature,  after  tb« 
the  preservation  of  their  charter,  the  state  of  the  currency,  ^"' 
the  payment  of  the  public  debt,  and  the  sale  and  f  Qttle- 

C 


fT 


48 


IIISTUKV  OF 


Chap.  L 


i  1' 


n 


Hook  II.  mmt  ol  llic  new  lamls.  As  thry  wrrr  highly  sensible  that 
v,^->/-x^  the  liberty,  peace  and  prosperity  of  a  people,  were  very 
dependent  on  good  moi-ah,  and  a  general  diffusion  of 
knowledge,  they  gave  their  lir.st  and  particular  attention  to 
AVnr  fin-  these  objects.  A  state  of  war  is  peculiarly  unfriendly  to 
frifiifJly  toirligion.  It  dissipates  the  mind,  aiminishes  the  degree  ot 
"^^S'w"'  insiiticlion,  lemoves  great  numbers  almost  wholly  from  it^. 
« oiuierts  ihcm  with  the  most  dangerous  company,  and  pre- 
sents them  with  the  worst  examples.  It  hardens  and  em- 
Ituldtiis  men  in  sin  ;  is  productive  of  profaneness,  intem- 
f «  rancc,  disregard  to  property,  violence  and  all  licentious 
living,  lis  baneful  inHuence  had  been  observed  and  la- 
ininted  by  the  good  people,  during  the  war.  In  some 
pliices,  measures  had  been  adopted  (o  prevent  a  greater  de- 
cree of  (U  clension,  and  to  ameliorate  the  morals  of  the  peo- 
ple. As  early  as  the  year  1711,  the  North  Association  in 
the  county  of  Hartford,  passed  several  resolves  for  that 
purpose,  and  particularly  recommended  it  to  the  several 
J^tcoiu-  < ongregations  within  their  limits,  ''  That  all  such  as  had 
lueiKla-  not  yet  owned  the  baptismal  covenant,  should  be  called 
tions  for  a  upon  to  attend  Uicir  duty  in  that  case :  That  such  as  had 
tio7™*'  ht^rctoforc  owned  it,  should,  at  the  same  time,  manifest 
4>ui.  1711.  their  renewed  consent  thereto:  and,  that  both  the  one  and 
the  other  should  enter  into  solemn  engagements,  that  they 
•would  constantly  attend  the  duties  of  God's  worship  in 
public,  private  and  secret,  not  allowing  themselves  in  the 
neglect  of  any  of  his  holy  ordinances :  That  they  would 
shun  carelessness,  contempt  of  sacred  things  and  sinful  ex- 
tuscs  :  That  they  would  carefully  watch  against  all  irreve- 
rence in  the  worship  of  God,  and  all  profanation  of  his  glo- 
rious and  fearful  name,  by  careless  imprecations,  rash 
^^wearillg,  or  any  other  way  in  which  it  is  or  may  be  taken 
in  vain  :  That  they  would  strictly  observe  the  Christian 
sabbath,  one  whole  day  in  seven,  seasonably  beginning, 
itnd  duly  continuing  the  same ;  and  therein  watching  a- 
[(aijist  all  worldly  thoughts,  words  and  works :  and  that 
they  would  endeavour  carefully  to  discharge  the  several  du- 
ties of  their  respective  places  and  relations,  as  superiors, 
inferiors  or  equals.  Particularly,  that  they  would  honor, 
submit  to  and  obey  those  whom  God  had  set  over  them, 
whetlier  in  families,  churches,  or  commonwealth."  Fur- 
ther, it  was  recommended  that  they  should  covenant, 
"  That  they  would  look  well  to  their  households,  keep  their 
<  hildrcn  and  servants  m  due  subjection,  instioict  them  in 
the  principles  of  religion,  and  endeavour  to  restrain  them 
(rom  all  profaneness  and  immorality  :  That,  as  much  as  in 
fJicm  lay,  they  would  live  peaceably  with  all  men,  careful- 


r. 


ClIAf.  I. 

cnsiblc  th:ii 
,  were  very 
lifiusion    ot 
attention  to 
infricndly  to 
lie  degree  ot 
lolly  from  it., 
ny,  and  pre- 
Icns  and  cm- 
ness,   intem- 
all  licentious 
rved  and  la- 
T.     In  some 
a  greater  de- 
ls of  the  peo- 
Lssociation  in 
>lves  for  that 
0  the  several 
such  as  had 
uld  be  called 
It  such  as  had 
ime,  manifest 
h  the  one  and 
;nts,  that  they 
s  worship  in 
nsclves  in  the 
at  they  would 
and  sinful  ex- 
inst  all  irreve- 
ion  of  his  glo- 
'cations,  rash 
may  be  taken 
the  Christian 
(ly  beginning, 
n  watching  a- 
•ks:  and  that, 
he  several  du- 
as  superiors 
would  honor, 
et  over  them, 
calth."    Fur- 
ild   covenant, 
^ds,  keep  their 
[truct  them  in 
restrain  them 
as  much  as  in 
men,  carefuU 


'H*l' 


I. 


CONNECTICUT. 


10 


Iv  avoiding  tht 


<lly 


ing  or  taking  of  offence  :  That  Book  If. 

♦  lu'V  would  be  ran-fnl  to  maintain  a  chaste  conversation,  s.^^^-^^ 
wauhing against  all  the  incentives  to  uncleanness,  esix- 
rially  against  keeping  vain  and  disorderly  company  :  Thai 
ihey  would  mind  their  own  business,  and  strictly  observe 
the  rules  of  righteousness  in  commerce  and  dealings  one 
with  another ;  heedfully  watching  against  all  violations  of 
it,  by  deceit,  oppression,  and  all  unjust  and  dishonest  <leal- 
ing  whatsoever  :  That  they  would  speak  the  truth  one  with 
another,  avoidinsj  all  lying,  slandering,  backbiting,  revil- 
ing, and  promise  breaking." 

It  was  further  recommended  that  they  should  covenant, 
T'  That  they  would  mutually  watch  over  one  another,  giv- 
ing and  receiving  reproof  as  became  christians :  That  they 
i  would  in  their  several  capacities,  bearduc  witness  against 
|,all  profaneness  and  immorality ;  and  that  they  would  not 
%vitnhold  their  testimony  when  it  might  be  necessary  for 
§he  conviction  and  punishment  of  ollenders :  That  they 
would  watch  against  the  prevailing  of  a  worldly  and  cove- 
Itous  spirit :  against  intemperance  in  the  use  of  lawful  things ; 
)a!ticularly  against  excess   in  drinking :   and  that   they 
iTculd  not  allow  themselves  in  frequenting  cither  public  or 
)rivate  drinking  houses."*     That  they  might  be  enabled 
lithfully  to  discharge  these  duties,  they  were  exhorted  dili- 
gently to  seek  divine  assistance. 

This  recommendation  was  generally  read  in  the  several  Owning 
congregations  within  the  district  of  that  Association.     It  the  cove- 
k'as  published  in  the  congregation  of  the  second  society  in  ]4"rt,^,nj 
Hartford,  and  proposed  to  the  consideration  of  the  people,  Feb.  4th,' 
')ecember  30,  1711.     Great  pains  were  taken  to  instruct  ni'J. 
[hem,and  remove  scandal  wherever  itmight  bt  found.    The 
James  of  those  who  proposed  to  take  the  covenant  upon 
'lem  were  made  public.     The  way  having  been  thus  pie- 
red,  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  was  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  when  one  hundred  persons  appeared  and  owned 
le  covenant.     Other  churches  probably  did  something  of 
same  nature ;  but  how  generally  this  was  practised 
)es  not  appear,  as  few  of  the  churches,  at  that  time,  kept 
ly  record  of  their  transactions.    Many  pastors  and  church- 
could  not  adopt  the  recommendation  at  large,  as  they 
}re  persuaded,  that  the  owning  of  the  covenant,  as  it  has 
keen  generally  called,  was  entirely  anti-scriptural. 
No  sooner  was  the  war  terminated,  than  the  General  As-  U*n*'o/'n^ 
?mbly,  deeply  affected  with  the  apparent  decline  of  chris-  AsMmUyJ^ 
an  morals,  and  desirous  as  far  as  possible  to  effect  a  re-  May, 
)rmation,  at  the  May  session,  1714,  came  to  the  following  "^fj),'*** 
•  R«cord#  of  the  Bccond  church  in  Hartford.  moral''. 


se 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  ]. 


I 


1) 


'il 


W  I 


Boor  II.  resolution,  viz.  "  This  Asprmbly  taking  into  tlioir  serious 
"consideration,  the  many  evident  tokens  that  the  glory  is 
"departed  from  us:  Thai  the  providences  of  God  are 
"  plainly  telling  us  that  our  ways  do  not  please  him.  And 
"  knowing  the  obligations  that  we  are  under,  not  only  for 
"  the  suppressing  of  all  profaneness  and  immorality,  that 
"  so  greatly  threatens  the  ruin  of  the  land,  but  al.-o  to  en- 
"  courage  piety  and  virtue,  do  pray  the  honourable  the 
"  Govcrnour,  to  recommend  to  die  Reverend  Elders  of  the 
"  General  Association,  at  their  next  meeting,  that  they  give 
"  direction  to  each  fiarticular  association  throughout  the 
"  government,  that  the  state  of  religion  be  strictly  enquired 
"  into,  in  every  parish  throughout  this  government ;  and 
"  particularly  how,  and  whether  catechising  be  duly  attend- 
"  cd  ?  And  whether  there  be  a  suitable  number  of  bibles 
"  in  the  variotis  families  in  the  respective  parishes  ;  and 
"  also  if  there  be  found,  in  any  of  our  parishes,  any  that 
<'  neglect  attendance  upon  the  public  worship  on  the  Lord's 
"  day  ?  To  enquire  what  means  have  been  used  with  such 
"  persons  to  regain  them  to  a  compliance  with  their  so  nc- 
*'  cessary  a  duty ;  that  thereby  the  worship  of  God  be  duly 
*'  encouraged,  observed  and  attended,  both  in  families  and 
*•  parishes.  And  likewise,  that  there  be  a  strict  enquiry, 
"  which,  and  what  are  the  sins  and  evils  that  provoke  the 
"just  majesty  of  heaven,  to  walk  contrary  unto  us  in  the  ways 
"  of  his  providence  ;  that  thereby  all  possible  means  may 
"  be  used  for  our  healing  and  recovery  from  our  degenera- 
"  cy.  And  it  is  further  recommended  to  the  Jleverend  El- 
"ders  of  the  General  Association,  that  thpy  send  into  the 
"  honourable,  the  Governour,  what  they  find."* 

The  pastors  of  the  churches  having  made  the  enquiries 
which  had  been  recommended  by  the  Assembly,  made  their 
report  at  the  October  session,  1713.  In  this  they  repre- 
sent, "  That  there  was  a  great  want  of  bibles :  That  there 
was  a  great  neglect  of  attending  on  the  public  worship  upon 
the  Sabbath  and  at  other  seasons  t  That  catechising  was 
much  neglected  in  several  places  :  That  there  was  a  great 
deficiency  in  family  government :  and  that  there  were  vari- 
ous iiTcgularities  with  respect  to  commutative  justice. 
They  complain  particularly  of  tale  bearing  and  defama- 
tion :  of  calumniating,  and  contempt  of  authority  and  order, 
both  civil  and  ecclesiastical :"  Of  intempei^nce  and  seve- 
ral other  vices,  t  ' 

The  legislature  upon  this  report,  resolved,  "  We  are 
fearful  that  there  hath  been  a  great  neglect  of  a  due  execu- 
tion of  those  good  laws  already  enacted,  for  the  preventing 

'  ro*.  *  Recorda  of  tbe  Colony,  vol.  iv.  fojio,  year  17,14.    t  Folio  vol.  t.  171o, 


Report  of 
the  Gene- 
ral Associ- 
aiion,  Oct. 
1715. 


ftesolu- 
tionsofthe 
Assembly 
toiuppreBs 


'■if 


CuAP.  L 

to  tlioir  serious 
lat  the  glory  is 
PS  of  God  are 
ase  him.  And 
cr,  not  only  for 
mmontlity,  that 

but  al.^o  to  rn- 
honoiirable  ihe 
1(1  Elders  of  the 
^,  that  they  give 

throughout  the 
jlrictly  enquired 
)verninent;  and 
5  be  duly  attend- 
umber  of  bibles 
e  parishes ;  and 
•isnes,  any  that 
ip  on  the  Lord's 
1  used  with  such 
vith  their  so  nc- 
►  of  God  be  duly 
1  in  families  and 
I  strict  enquiry, 
hat  provoke  the 
ito  us  in  the  ways 
ible  means  may 
n  our  degenera- 
le  Heverend  El- 
y  send  in  to  the 
id."* 

de  the  enquiries 
nbly,  made  their 

this  they  repre- 
)les :  That  there 
lie  worship  upon 

catechising  was 
here  was  a  great 

there  were  vari- 
lutative  justice. 

ng  and  defama- 
hority  and  order, 
jrance  and  sevc- 

olved,  "  We  are 

t  of  a  due  execu- 

3r  the  preventing 

t  Folio  vol.  T.nii' 


Chap.  I. 


CONNECTICUT. 


91 


of  >»urh  decays  in   religion."     It  was  therefore  tnurlrd,  Book  II. 

"  That  alljndgrs  and  justices  of  the  peace  in  the  respective  v^-v^^/ 

'•  counties,  in  this  colony,  be  diligent  and  strict  in  putting  in     1716, 

'*  execution  all  the  laws  and  acts  of  thii  Assembly,  made 

"  for  the  suppressing  or  punishing  all  or  any  of  the  above 

'•  mentionea  immoralities,  or  irregularities :  and  that  there- 

"  by  the  good  ends  proposed  in  such  acts  and  law*,  may  be 

"  attained.     That  the  selectmen,  constables  and  grand  Ju- 

"  rors  in  the  respective  towns  in  this  colony  shall,   from 

"  time  to  time,  strictly  observe  the  following  directions, 

"  To  the  due  execution  of  the  law  of  this  colony  iniiiiecl 

"  Children  to  be  educated,  in  all  and  every  the  several 

"  parts  and  paragraphs  of  the  said  act.     That  the  select- 

"  men  make  diligent  en(|uiry  of  all  householders  within 

"  their  respective  towns,  how  they  are  stored  with  bibles  ; 

"and  if  upon  such  inquiry  any  such  householder  be  found 

"  without  one  bible,  at  least,  that  then  the  said  selectmen 

"  shall  warn  the  said  householder  forthwith  to  procure  one 

''  bible  at  least,  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  such  family.    And 

"  if  the  same  be  neglected,  then  said  selectmen  shall  make 

"return  thereof  to  the  next  authority:  and  that  all  those 

"  families  which  are  numerous,  and  whose  circumstances 

"  will  admit  thereof,  shall  be  supplied  with  a  considerable 

"  number  of  bibles,  according  to  the  number  of  persons  in 

"  such  families :  and  that  they  see  that  all  such  families  be 

"  furnished  with  a  suitable  number  of  orthodox  catechisms, 

"  and  other  good  books  of  practical  godliness,  viz.  such  as 

"  treat  on,  encourage  and  duly  prepare  for  the  right  at- 

"  tendance  on  that  great  duty,  the  Lord's  supper. 

"  That  the  constables  anci  grand  jurors  in  the  respective 
"  towns  in  this  colony,  shall  make  due  search  after,  and  pre- 
"  sentment  make,  of  all  breaches  of  the  following  laws  of 
"  this  colony. 

1.  "Of  an  act  entitled,  Children  to  be  educated. 

2.  "  Of  the  first  paragraph  of  the  law  entitled  Ecclesias- 
"tical. 

3.  "  Of  the  two  last  paragraphs  of  the  law  entitled  an  act 
"  for  the  better  detecting  and  more  effectual  punishing  of 
"  profaneness  and  immorality. 

4.  "  Of  an  act  for  the  better  observation  and  keeping  of 
"  the  Lord's  day. 

5.  "  Of  the  law,  —  Title  lying. 

6.  "Of  the  law  against  swearing.  . 

7.  "  Of  an  act  to  prevent  unseasonable  meetings  of  young 
"  peonle  on  the  evening  after  the  sabbath  day,  and  at  otheF 
"  times. 

8.  "  Of  an  act  to  prevent  tippling  and  drunkenness. 


HKSTORY  OP 


Ciur.  R 


171C. 


Tbeun- 


!    !  I 


I 

1 1 


Book  II.      9.  "Of  an  act  to  suppress  uiilirrnscd  Iiousrs  anrl  for 
"rej^ulatirig  such  aswoiT  licensed."* 

The  Assembly  onJered  that  these  resolutions  .should  I)? 
immediately  printed,  and  that  they  should  be  published 
through  the  colony.  It  also  directed  that  they  should  be 
read  publicly  in  the  several  towns,  at  their  annual  meet- 
ings, before  the  choice  of  their  town  olficers.  It  was  also 
particularly  recommended  to  all  the  towns  to  be  very  care- 
ful in  the  appointment  of  their  officers,  to  choose  men  of 
known  ability,  integrity  and  resolution. 

As  literature  and  a  general  diffusion  of  christian  knowI> 
edge  were  considered  as  highly  impoilant  for  the  maintain- 
ing and  advancing  of  religion,  as  well  as  for  the  liberty, 
dignity  and  happiness  of  the  commonwealth,  the  collegiate 
school  attracted  the  special  attention,  both  of  the  legisla- 
ture and  clergy.  Though  generous  donations  had  been 
made  for  its  encoi^ragement  and  support,  yet  the  state  of  it 
j^^  was  far  from  being  flourishing  or  happy.  The  students 
au^ofthe  ^^^^  separated  one  from  another.  The  senior  class  were 
Cdkge.  at  Milford,  under  the  instruction  of  Mr.  Andrew,  the  rec- 
tor pro  tempore,  and  the  other  classes  at  Saybrook,  under 
the  instruction  of  two  tutors.  In  this  scattered  state,  the 
principal  part  of  the  school  were  very  little  benefitted  by 
the  instructions  and  government  of  the  rector,  which  were 
of  great  importance  to  its  general  order  and  advancement. 
The  books  were  necessarily  divided  and  exposed  to  be  lost. 
The  same  general  benefit  could  not,  in  this  state,  be  deriv- 
ed from  the  library.  At  the  same  time  the  scholars  were 
dissatisfied^  both  with  the  place  and  manner  of  their  in- 
struction. They  judged  that  Saybrook  was  not  sufficiently 
compact  for  their  accommodation.  Some  of  them  were 
obliged  to  reside  more  than  a  mile  from  the  place  of  their 
pubfic  exercises.  They  were  no  better  pleased  with  their 
instruction  and  government,  as  they  had  no  resident  rector, 
and  the  tutors  were  often  young  and  inexperienced.  Th& 
students  were  not  the  only  persons  who  complained.  From 
the  beginning,  there  had  been  a  disagreement  with  respect 
to  the  place  where  the  college  should  be  fixed.  Mens' 
opinions  with  respect  to  it  were  generally  governed  by 
their  interest.  jiThey  generally  chose  the  place  which 
would  best  accommodate  themselves.  This  created  warm 
parties  in  the  colony,  and  even  created  a  division  amon^ 
the  trustees.  Some  ijrere  for  continuing  it  at  Saybrook, 
others  were  zealously  engaged  to  remove  it  to  Hartford  or 
Weathersfield.  A  third  party  were  not  less  engaged  final- 
ly to  fix  it  at  New-Haven.  In  this  state  of  things,  nuijt^ 
♦  Coiouj  Records,  folio  vol.  v.  October  resfion,  1110. 


Divisions 
in  the  colo 
ny  and  a- 
mong;  the 
trustees 
respecting 
it 


1 


Ciur.  V, 
s  and  for 

shnuld  I)? 
puMishid 
should  l»r 
uiul  mcct- 
It  was  also 
very  carc- 
se  men  of 

ian  knowl- 
;  maintain- 
he  liberty, 
;  collegiate 
he  legisla- 
i  had  been 
2  state  of  it 
te  students 
'  class  were 
r,  the  rcc- 
ook,  under 
I  state,  the. 
jnefitted  by 
vhich  were 
vancement. 
1  to  be  lost. 
D,  be  deriv- 
olars  were 
their  in- 
sufficiently 
them  were 
ice  of  their 
with  their 
lent  rector, 
iced.    Th& 
led.  From 
Jrith  respect 
Id.     Mens* 
|>verncd  by 
ice   which 
ited  wanii 
ion  amon^ 
JSaybrook, 
lartford  oi" 
iged  final- 
ings,  nu^»^ 


Vl^tAP.  u 


COiNiNECTICUT. 


9S 


tun  of  the  studrnls  Iwcame  clamorouH,  and  openly  muni-  nooit  II. 
tV^trd  their  disaffection  and  disrtspcrt  toward^  their  liitors. 
Tlii"*  made  it  ncccssarv  for  the  trustees  to  meet  and  exam- 

V  ihe  reasons  of  their  uneasiness  and  disorder. 

They  met  at  Saybrook,  April  4th,    1716.     When 


UK 


the  Trii«tM>i 
:irholurH  came  before  them,  they  com|)lained  of  the  insuffi*  71^*1716 
cicncy  of  their  instniction  and  the  inconveniences  of  the 
place,    as  tlicir    prir.cipal  grievances.      Especially,   the 
scholars    from  Hartforcl,  Wealhersfiekl  and  the  towns  in 
ihat  vicinity,   alledged,  that  it  was  a  hardship  to  oblige 
them  to  reside  at  baybrook,    when  they  could  be  as  well 
instructed  and  much  better  accommodated  near  home.     It, 
has  been  the  tradition,   that  most  of  these  complaints  had 
been  suggested  to  them  by  others,  with  a  view  to  foment 
a  gencial  uneasiness,  and  by  these  means  effect  the  re- 
moval of  the  college. 

y\rTER  a  long  debate  on  the  circumstances  of  the  school, 
ii  a|)pcared  that  the  trustees  were  no  better  agreed  than 
tile  students,  and  that  some  of  them  were  governed  by  mO' 
tives  which  they  did  not  choose  openly  to  avow.     Some 
of  them  so  strongly  advocated  the  cause  of  the  Hartford 
and  Wealhersfield  scholars,  that  a  majority  of  the  trustees 
condescended  to  give  a  toleration  to  them,  and  others  who 
were  most  uneasy,  to  go  to  such  places  of  instruction,  un- 
til commencement,  as  should  best  suit  their  inclinations. 
The  consequence  was,  that  the  greatest  part  of  them  went  Ttie  col- 
to  Weathersfield,  and  put  themselves  under  the  instruction  '^ge "» bio- 
of  the  Rev.  Elisha  Williams,  pastor  of  the  church  in  Newint.  J^f^ttered^ 
Some  went  to  other  places,   and  a  number  continued   at  into  ocre- 
Say  brook.     But  the  small  pox,  soon  after,  breaking  out  ral  placet* 
in  the  town,  these  generally  removed  to  East-Guilford,  and 
were  under  the  tuition  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hart  and  Mr.  Rus- 
sell, till  the  commencement. 

As  the  collegiate  school  was  in  this  broken  state,  and  as  ?ubgcrip- 
the  trustees  were  not  agreed  among  themselves,  in  what  jj""'  ^°\ 
place  it  should  be  fixed,  the  people,  in  different  parts  of  ii«hnicnto(' 
the  colony,  began  to  subscribe  considerable  sums  for  the  theCollege 
building  of  a  college,  that,  by  these  means,  they  might  in-  **  "/T^a* 
duce  the  trustees  to  fix  it  according  to  their  wishes.     About  p"cc!" 
700  pounds  sterling  was  subscribed  for  the  establishment  of 
it  at  New-Haven,  500  pounds  for  fixing  it  at  Saybrook, 
«nd  considerable  sums,  for  the  same  purpose,  at  Hartford 
and  Weathersfield. 

At  the  commencement,  Sept.  12th,  1716,  the  trustees '''»«»le<» 
wet,  at  Saybrook,  and  took  into  consideration  the  state  and  g*yJ,JoU 
place  of  the  collegiate  school,  but  as  they  could  not  agreq  sept.  lau 
vrith  rested  u»tjie  place  ra  whichitfifaouldbe  established,  ni«. 


\> 


'i< 


HISTORY  OF 


TiiAr.  [^ 


iMfvi  III 
Ncw-lla- 
vrii  Oct. 
17,  «7I6, 

titlll  VOt(! 
tlllll    tll(! 

Collfi;e 
rhull  be  at 
^hnt  plnce. 


!  .     I 


I' 


BookII.  tliey  ndjoumed,  until  the   I7ih   of  OclolKr,  lo  nirct   at 
>w  Ncw-Hiivon. 

The  truBtrrs,  for  the  first  time,  mrt  at  Nrw-llnvcn.  ar- 
rnrding  to  tidjournmont.  Thrro  wf  it  prrsrnt,  ihr  R«v. 
Mpssps,  Samiirl  Andrrw,  'i'imoihy  Woodhridjio,  .Ios<'ph 
Webb,  Samupl  RiikhoI,  Mosrs  Noyon,  John  Davrnpoi'l, 
Thomas  Buckingham  and  Thomas  RugjijIcH.  They  hafi 
now  had  further  time  and  opportunity  to  < onsuli  the  opin- 
ions and  feelings  of  the  people,  to  obtain  the  oj)inioti  of 
Governor  Saltonstall,  and  of  the  General  Asseinbly,  and  to 
know  what  subscriptions  had  been  made  for  one  place  and 
another.  Having  obtained  all  the  information  on  the  s)ib« 
ject  which  they  judged  necessary,  they  voted,  "Tbatcon- 
"  sidering  the  dilficulties  of  continuing  the  collegiate  school 
"  at  Saybrook,  and  that  New-Haven  is  a  convenient  placf^ 
"  for  it,  for  which  the  most  liberal  donations  are  given,  the 
"  the  trustees  agree  to  remove  the  said  school  I'rom  Say- 
"  brook  to  New-Haven,  and  it  is  now  settled  at  Ncw-Ha- 
"  yen  accordingly."*  Five  of  the  trustees  present,  w^re 
in  the  vote ;  Mr.  Woodbridge  and  Mr.  Buckingham,  were 
for  Weathersfield.  Mr.  ^oyes  declared,  that  he  did  not 
see  the  necessity  of  removing  the  school  from  Saybrook ; 
but  if  it  must  be  removed,  his  mind  was  to  settle  it  at  New- 
Haven. 

The  trustees  at  this  meeting,  received  250  pounds  stcr-' 
ling,  which  the  General  Assembly  had  granted  some  years 
before,  arising  fi-om  the  sale  of  the  equiv;ilent  lands.  They 
had  before  in  the  treasury  about  1 25  potmds.  These  sums^ 
with  the  large  subscriptions  which  had  been  made  for  the 
building  of  the  college  at  New-Haven,  encouraged  the  trus- 
tees to  vote  that  they  would  build  a  large,  convenient  col- 
lege, and  a  rector's  house  at  New-Haven :  and  they  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  accomplish  the  work. 

They  voted.  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Andrew  should  continue 
vector,  pro-tempore,  until  a  fixed  rector  could  be  obtained. 
They  also  appointed  two  tutors  ;  and  gave  orders  that  all 
the  students,  belonging  to  the  school,  should  repair  to  New- 
Haven  for  instruction  and  government.  At  the  same  time, 
they  appointed  Mr.  Stephen  Buckingham  of  Norwalk,  one 
of  the  trustees.  The  scholars  who  had  been  studying  at 
East-Guilford,  came  to  New-Haven,  according  to  the  di- 
rection of  the  trustees ;  but  none  came  from  Weathersfield. 
Such  was  their  obstinacy,  and  such  the  countenance  and 
support  which  others  gave  them,  that  they  continued  their 
studies  there  until  the  next  commencement.  The  trusteed 
*cnt  tlw:  record  of  their  doings  at  this  meeting,  to  the  Rev. 
♦  President  Clap's  History  of  Yale  C<rflege,  p.  18. 


CiiAr.  U 
to  nircl   at 

llavon.  nc- 
it,  thr  R«v. 
IjiO,  Joseph 
Davniport, 

They  hafl 
ill  thr  opiii- 

o})inioi)  of 
iihly,  and  to 
10  place  add 
1  on  the  sub- 
"  That  con- 
'giatc  school 
enicnt  placf^ 
re  j];iven,  the 
>l  JVom  Say- 
at  New-Ha- 
rostnt,  were 
righani,  were 
it  he  did  not 
i\  Saybrook ; 
de  it  at  New- 
pounds  ster- 
\  some  years 
mds.     They 
These  sums< 
made  for  the 
iged  the  trus- 
nvenient  col- 
nd  they  ap- 

ould  continue 

be  obtained, 

rders  that  all 

pair  to  New- 

le  same  time, 

i^orwalk,  one 

n  studying  at 

ng  to  the  di- 

^eathcrsfield. 

ntenancS  and 

ntinued  their 

The  trusteed 

,  to  the  Rev. 


f  ii%r.  1. 


C'ONNKCTICC  T. 


^ 


Mr.  .himrn  Noyes  of  Su»niiiyt(.t>.  who  on  the  '19th  of  Dr-  Boon  II. 
( '  n.b'  r.  ^ijfmd  it,  and  »!<  «land  his  hearty  concurrence  with  ^^"v^*/ 
every  voli . 

'I'hk  iru-iees  met  ai^iiin  at  Neu-Flaven,  thr  next  April.  TruiteM 
v\t  this  mectinjc,  srveii  tnisurs,  the  Krv.  Mcssrn,  .lamrs  "'" '  M"^' 
N '\es.  Sanniel  Andrew.    Samuel  Kiissel.    Joseph  Webb,'*  *' 
John  Davenpori,  Thomas  Un^rgles  and  Stephen  Bucking- 
li;un.  were  present.     The  acts  which   had  b<>en  passed  at 
the  preceding  meeting,  at  this  were  read,  voted  and  sub- 
s(  ril)"«l  by  all  the  members  present,  except  Mr.  Stephen 
Hurkingharn.  wlioorj  the  account  of  his  relatives  and  friends 
III  Saybrook,  judged  it  expedient  not  to  act. 

\VniLF.  the  tnistees  in  general,  were  fixed  in  their  deter- 
mination to  establish  the  college  at  New-Haven,   they  met 
will)  a  strong  op|)osition  from  gentlemen  in  the  northern 
and  eastern  parts  of  the  colony.     The  people  in  general, 
were  warmly  engaged  on  one  side  or  iheotl.vr,  wliich  oc- 
casioned the  affair  several  times  to  ho  taken  up  and  ivarm- 
ly  debated  in  the  General  Assembly.     No  act  however, 
liad  as  yet  been  passed  relating  to  the  subject.     The  trus- Corn- 
tees  |)u?suini!;  their  own  resolutions  with  firmness  and  cou- «""**** 
sianey,  held  the  commencement  at  New-Haven.     Mr.  An-  New-Ha- 
drew  moderated  as  rector  pro  tempore.     Four  senior  so-  ven,  Sept. 
phisters  came  from  Savbrook,  and  received  the  decree  of  ">  ''''• 
Bachelor  of  Arts,  and  numbers  were  admitted  to  tne  de- 
gree of  Masters.     The  number  of  students  was  thirty  one  ; 
of  whom  thirteen,  the  past  year,  had  studied  at  New-Ha- 
ven, fourteen  at  Weathersfield,  ^nd  four  at  Saybrook. 

Soo.v  after  the  commencement,   the  college  house  was  Oct.  8ih, 
raised  at  New-Haven.    Nevertheless,  Messrs.  Woodbridge,  1'17' 
Buckingham,  and  their  respective  parties,  persisted  in  th^ir 
opposition  to  the  proceedings  of  the  trustees.     They,  in 
the  October  session,  presented  a  remonstrance  to  the  As- 
sembly, alledging,  That  the  votes  of  the  trustees  to  fix  the  JJr^cea- 
cotlege  at  New-Haven,  in  October  17th,    1710,  and  April  ^^ainst  the 
.Olh,  1717,  were  not  legal.     They  insisted.  That  the  major  votes  of 
part  of  them  were  not  in  the  votes,  and  that  one  was  not  ^''^  *'"'" 
qualified  according  to  law :  That  in  October,  ltl6,  there 
were,  at  least,  nine  existing  trustees,  and  that  four  of  them 
only  were  in  the  vote  :  That  Mr.  Ruggles  was  chosen  be- 
fore he  was  forty  years  of  age  ;  and  that  the  choice  was 
therefore  null :  and  that  Mr.  Noycs'  consent  to  the  votes 
so  long  after,  and  at  such  a  distance,  could  avail  nothing 
to  their  confirmation.     In  the  acts  of  April,  1717,  they  af- 
firmed that  there  were  five  trustees  only  out  often. 

Tnn  trustees  replied,  That  in  October,  1716,  there  were  Reply  of 
but  nine  trustees;  :  That  a  vacancy  had  be«n  made  by  the  <'"'^«tee«. 


irr 


T 


:^. 


fll.VI'OHY  OF 


TiMt.  r. 


1. 


MooK  II.  ill- nil  i)f  iMi.  I'll  rponf,  whi(  li  ImH  not  hrcn  Mipplmj ;  iiri-l 
^^-v*%li,^  iliitl  Mr.  M.itlm*)!"  Wimlsor.  h;nl  hwu  Iml  rid  many  y(iir>, 
(717.  Ii:nl  i«'sii,'ii#<l  hJH  miiiisiry,  iiM«l  «oiil(l  iini,  in  thn-.r  rirrntn- 
nium  «*,  ln>  con^iilcrfd  IIS  a  Irustro.  Tlify  phii'lrd,  that  ii' 
Mr.  Riiiji;l«s  was  not  loily  yrors  olnf^c  at  tlic  liivf  ol  liw 
rioiiiiiiaii<»n,  yet  that  at  tlif-  limr  whrii  thr  vnlc  was  pasM-d, 
In-  had  .'iirivi'd  to  that  ii>;r ;  and  tha«  the  IkihIits,  in  ron- 
formity  to  thrir  pnvious  noniinutioM,  admittini;  him  to  sit 
and  iu  I,  had  assoriatrd  him  according  to  thfir  rharfrr. 
With  nspK  t  to  Mr.  Noyrs,  they  rrplicd,  that  iisthoy  wen 
not  liniit'.'d  a  to  thr  maniirTof  thrir  ac  liiu(,  he,  though  al)- 
sciii,  ai  ihi-  limr  ol'  ihfir  mrctitijj,  nught  nivo  his  (onsrni 
to  suid  act,  by  Mib.scril)inj5  it  at  home,  some  timcaftPi*,  a^ 
ucll  as  if  lir  liad  Im'Cm  prosrnt.  They  thoreforo  iiisis't'r, 
that  tiicrc  was  a  nmjority  of  six  out  of  nine:  and  tli.il  \.\ 
April,  1717,  alter  tho  choice  of  Mr.  Stephen  Huckii-liam; 
(here  was  a  majority  of  six  out  of  ten.  They  lurtlt  i  iiu.ist- 
rd,  that  if  Ml".  Iluj(j;le.s  should  not  be  reckoned  at  ( illuT  ol 
the  meetings,  nor  Mr.  Noycs,  nor  any  other  of  the  trust{'«'> 
when  absent,  that  there  was  a  majority  of  those  present, 
which  constituted  a  legal  act. 
Utfioivc  of  Aktkr  a  full  hearing,  the  upper  house  resolved,  '•  That 
iliiupfKr  the  objections  against  (he  vote  of  the  trustees,  were  insuf- 
lousu.  ficicnt."  The  lower  house,  after  a  long  debate,  resolved 
nothing  relative  to  the  subject.  This  s«hows  how  deeply 
the  colony  (rh  itself  interested  in  this  ullair,  and  how  un- 
happily it  vuis  divided. 
Tlw;  tius-  'I'itE  trustees,  who  were  then  convened  at  New-Ifarcir. 
.*'if  ^r"  ^t"  wishiiii;  to  remove  all  occasion  of  objection  for  the  future, 
\ew-Ha-  passed  a  vote,  in  which  they  declared  Mr.  Ruggles  to  be  a 
trustee,  and  associated  him  as  such.  They  also  passed  a 
vote,  jiredicated  on  several  former  acts,  in  which  they 
fmally  fixed  the  college  at  New-Haven.  To  this,  for  the 
greater  solemnity,  seven  of  the  trustees,  James  Noyes, 
Moses  Noyes,  Samuel  Andrew,  Samuel  Russel,  Joseph 
Webb,  John  Davenport  and  Thomas  lluggles,  set  their 
hands.  The  reasons  assignee'  by  (he  trustees  for  estab- 
lishing the  rollegc  at  New-HavLii.  »  'to,  the  difficulties  of 
keejjing  it  at  Saybrook,  aris'  ,f^  P^^i  »,;'  ''  ^ni  the  -  'easiness 
of  the  students,  and  partly  ii'jh\  ate  continual  attempts  of 
numbers  of  gentlemen  to  remove  it  to  Hartfoi-d.  They 
jiulged  that  to  bo  ico  far  from  the  sea,  and  that  it  would, 
by  no  means,  atconmiodate  the  Western  and  Soutliern  col- 
onies, inmost  of  which,  at  that  period,  there  were  no  col- 
]v^p-.  They  were  also  of  the  opinion,  that  New-Haven, 
on  the  account  of  its  commodious  situation,  the  salubrity 
.au »  agrccaWciicfs  of  its  air,  and  the  cheapness  of  it?  corn- 


vtu. 


CiiAf.  r. 


iTiitr.  1. 


f  ONNRf  Tini. 


t; 


ipplit  «l :  an'J 
I  ruiui)  y(iii>, 
lliu-r  rirctun- 
•  ii'lnl.  that  if 
IV  liiv.r  ot  hi-? 
c  wan  |*aM.^('(l, 
isiors,  in  coti- 
nt;  him  to  sit 
tlirii*  charter, 
t  as  they  wen 
c,  thoiif;h  al)- 
iV  his  ( otismi 
timcaftov,  a-. 
>rorc  insi»M'^, 
? :  and  ili.it  i  ' 
I  I^uck.i'i'uun. 
'  turtl)'!  iiu.isl- 
icdat  tithiM'  ol 
of  the  trust(«> 
ihose  prcscntj 

jolvrd,  '-That 
's,  w(  I'c  insul- 
bate,  resolved 
rs  how  deeply 
and  how  un- 
it Ncw-Havcir. 

for  the  future, 
lugglcs  to  be  a 

also  passed  « 
in  which  they 
o  this,  for  the 
James  Noyes, 
lusscl,  Joseph 

gles,  set  their 
toes  for  estab- 
e  difficulties  of 

the'  M:asiness 
ual  attempts  ol 
irtfoi-d.  The\ 
d  that  it  would, 
d  Soutlicrn  col- 
re  were  no  col- 
it  New-Haven, 
the  salubrity 
ncss  of  it55  con^.-       i 


n)(>(litir4,  wn4  ihc   l>r  *  ndapml   to  th.it   |iur|His(<.     Fur-  Hook  II. 

tlici-,  ihr  lari;('<«t   doii.timM''  ii<iil  been  niadr  ltn  i«>,   wilhuul  ^^r"^<'^^ 

\\hu\\  tJH  y  (oiild  not  di  Iray     lie  ex|>iii^i'  o|  buddiru;  (he 

mlji'^i'  Imium', 

In  ili('sr«iriuni>»lanc(  .,  ihf  (icntT.d  Af"*'nilily.  dcsiiouH -nic  A  j 

»»f  s(rrn;,thenin^  the  iiit  'ids  of  lh<'  iiM»lecs.  .md  of  jM-oiutitiim  ••  '"''•) 

llir  iult  rrsl.sof  llie  collt  -^r.  befoit'tli««  hmi  t»f  dH>  x-.Niinis.  in  '"'♦•*•' 
.  .        I  11.11'  'fi  I  titcri)  l« 

Ociohcr,  jja^^rtl  inc  lollowni^  .i<i  :  1  hat  iiiMln  '..f  pii  •epp,,.,.  | 
'•  ent  <irruniHiarn(s  of  the  t  oil*  i^iaH'  x«  hoiil,  the  Krvt  n  i|d  •'«  •  i7i7 
'*  Tru.Ntt'es  be  ad\  i>ed  to  proiccd  in  that  utVair,  and  to  lin- 
•*  i>>h  the  house  vvhitji  liny  have  built  in  N(\s  Haven  for 
•"  the  entertainment  of  the  siliolars  belonj;inn  lo  the  «oliW'- 
'  t^iate  school."  At  ilie  sanu-  time,  the  A.s><iiil>ly  j^rariuil 
4n  hundred  pounds  to  be  distribute<l  amuiig  the  ijisiruaors 
•^f  the  colle^^e.* 

NoTWiTH.sTANDivu  it  seemed  as  lhoui;h  the  roll('<;e  v,,\  May,i7lf!, 
nowestabli.slH'dat  Nrw-llaven,  both  by  tin'  trusters  and  ihf 
Cieneral  Assendily,  there  were  ^entlenicn  whc*  confiuiKd 
Hxed  in  the  plan  of  establishing  it  at  VVeailier.ificld.  fli'  v 
encouraged  ihcMtidenls  who  had  been  instnuted  tlnrr  ihc 
last  year,  who  wei-e  about  fourteen  in  number,  tocoi:  mue 
their. studies  still  in  the  same  place.  At  the  session  in  May 
following,  the  house  of  re|)resentatives  voted,  '' to  dc  ire 
"  the  trustees  to  consent  that  the  commencement  .should  be 
•*•  held  alternately  at  VVeatherslield  and  New-Haven,  till  i  he 
•'•  place  of  the  .school  be  fully  detemiined."  The  uppr  i 
house  were  of  the  opinion,  that  the  place  of  the  '•  school 
was  fully  determined  already  by  the  indisputable  votes  ol" 
the  trustees,  and  the  subsequent  advice  of  the  Assembly 
thereupon;  and  therefore  they  did  not  concur.  Govern- 
our  Saltonstall  was  supposed  always  to  favour  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  college  at  New-Haven,  and  his  influence 
might  be  one  reason,  that  the  upper  house  acted  more  readi- 
ly and  firmly  for  it  than  the  house  of  representatives.  He 
was  possessed  of  a  considerable  landed  interest  in  the  eas- 
tern part  of  the  town,  which  some  imagined  was  a  motive, 
as  it  would  increase  the  value  of  his  lands. 

Aboi'T  this  time,  the  college  at  Now-Haven  received  a  r><wiaiiQnf 
number  of  large  and  generous  donations  ;  which  at  this  pe-  !°„^'"^  '^°1 
riod,  when  thecoUege  was  struggling  underso  many  difficul-    ^ 
ties,  were  peculiarly  acceptable.     Govcrnour  Yale,  who 
in  1714,  had  sent  over  40  volumes  in  Mr.  Dummer's  col- 
lection, sent,  to  the  college,  the  last  year,  300  volumes  more. 
It  was  computed  that  both  parcels  were  worth  an  hundred 
jx)unds  sterling.     This  year,  1718,  he  sent  over  goods  to 
jht  amount  of  two  hundred  pounds  sterling,  prin,io  cost, 
•  Jlctord«  gf  Counetticut,  folio  Tol.  r.  Oct.  1717. 


28 


HISTORY  Ol«' 


CliAP.  I. 


Book  II. 
1718. 


Com- 
mence- 
ment at 
New- Ha- 
ven, Sept. 
12,  1718. 


The  col- 
lege 

numed  in 
honor  to 
Guv.  Yale, 


with  the  kint;'-^  jiriiiie  jmuI  ;inii'>.  lie  i^nvf  intimalion.s, 
that  he  would  ^^filladd.  'I'lnii  vi':ir^  ailfr.  he  sent  th  va- 
lue olnn  huu«lrf 'I  pounds  nioie.  Mr.  Oummrr,  at  the -arrie 
time,  sent  SfniMity  iix  vohimes  (if  hooks,  hveuty  of  which 
were  folios,  The  whole  w<ie  estimated  at  iO  poinids  ster- 
ling. Ciovern»jur  Saltonijiall  and  Jahaleel  IJniion,  lv-.f|.  of 
Newport,  each  of  th'-m  made  to  the  collej;e  a  present  of  liny 
pounds  sterlin*^.  \iy  th»se  and  several  other  large  dona- 
tions, the  s(hool  experienced  a  happy  alt(  nition.  Tiie 
college  which  had  been  erected  the  last  October,  was  now 
30  far  finished  as  to  be  fit  for  the  reception  and  accommo- 
dation of  all  the  students.  It  was  an  hundreil  and  seventy 
feet  in  length,  and  twenty  two  feet  in  breadth.  It  was  three 
.stories  high,  and  made  a  very  handsome  apprarance.  It 
contained  nearly  fihy  studies  in  large  chambers.  It  was 
furnished  with  a  convenient  hall,  library  and  kitchen.  The 
cost  of  it  was  about  a  thousand  jmunds  sterling. 

On  the  12th  of  September,  there  was  a  splendid  com- 
mencement at  New-Haven.  Exclusive  of  the  trustees, 
there  were  present,  the  honourable  Gur<lon  Saltonstall,  Esq. 
Governor  of  Connecticut,  the  honourable  William  Taylor. 
Esq.  as  representing  Governor  Vale,  the  honourable  Na- 
than Gould,  Esq.  deputy  Governor,  several  of  the  Assists 
ants  and  Judges  of  the  circuit,  a  large  body  of  the  clergy, 
and  numerous  spectators. 

The  trustees  impressed  with  a  sense  of  Governor  Yale's 
great  generosity,  called  the  collegiate  school  Yaf.eCollege, 
and  entered  a  memorial  of  it  upon  record  in  the  words  fol- 
lowing: "  Ge.vekosissima,  honoratissimi  Domini  Eliiiu 
Yale  Armigcri,  donation'^,  vigilantes  scholae  academicas,  in 
splendido  Novi  Portus  Connecticutensis  oppido  constitutce* 
Curatores,  SGdificium  coUegiale  inceptum  crectumque  perti- 
cere  capaces  redditi,  honorem  tali  tantoque  Mascenati  patro- 
noque  debitum  animo  gratissimo  meditantes,  mcmoriamque 
tanti  bencficii  in  hanc  prascipuc  coloniam  coUati,  in  omne 
«vum  modo  optimo  perducerc  studiosi :  Nos  Curatores, 
negotii  tanti  in  commune  praesertim  hujus  provinciac  populi 
^Donum  momenti  cura  honorati,  omothumadon  consentimus, 
statuimus,  et  ordinamus,  nostras  aides  academicas  patroni 
inunificentissimi,  nomine  appellari,  atque  Yalense  Colle- 
gium nominari :  ut  hsic  provincia  diuternum  viri  adeogene- 
rosi,  qui,  tanta  benevolentia  tantaque  nobilitate,  in  commo- 
dum  illorum  maseimum  propriamque  incolarum  et  in  prae- 
senti  et  futuris  saeculis  utilitatem  consuluit,  monumentum 
retineat  ct  conservet." 

It  may  be  rendered  in  English  in  the  following  manner,  viz. 

The  lru!:t.ces  of  the  Collegiate  school,  coii'^iituted  in  the 


i 

1 


CtlAP.   I. 

iiitimalioii>-, 

SCIltth        Ml- 

,  ill  ihr  -.lino 
itv  of  wliii  h 
jmhiikIs  stor- 
iion,  E->fj.  of 
•osenl  of  lii'ty 
•  large  doiia- 
Mtioii.  The 
>or,  U.I''  now 
1(1  Licco:nmo- 
1  and  seventy 
li  was  ihrce 
irarancc.  It 
HM'.s.  h  was 
^ilcheu.  The. 

plcndid  com- 
the  trustees, 
tonstall,  Esq. 
lliam  Taylor, 
lourablc  Na- 
of  the  Assistf 
af  the  clergy, 

j'crnor  Yale's 

LK  College, 

he  words  fol- 

)mini   Eliiiu 

cademicffi,  in 

o  constitutas* 

tumque  perti- 

ccnati  patro- 

icmoriarnque 

lati,  in  omne 

IS  Curatores, 

dnciaD  populi 

consentimus, 

nicas  patroni 

EN8E  COLLE- 

ri  adeo  gene- 
e,  in  commo- 
m  ct  in  prae- 
nonumentum 

manner,  viz. 
(ifuted  in  the; 


C'w\r.  I. 


CON.NECTfCLT. 


:o 


M    splendid  town  of  Nru-IIavcn.  in  (  onnccfieiit,  hi  ing  eiia- 

i:    l.led   l*v   the  mf)-t    goiKTou>  d(,naiion  of  the  IIo:ioralilr 

|;lihi'V\le,   Ks(j.  to  finish*' the    college    house   alreaily 

begun  and  erected,  gratefully  considering  the  Ijonor  due 

..   t)  such  Mu\  so  great  a  Bcnefartor  and  I'atron,  and  lieinrj 

f   flcsirous.  in  the  best  manner,  toperpetuaie  lf»  all  ages,  the 

4    memory  of  so-  great  a  benefit,  conferred  ehielly  on  this 

I    rolonv  :  We  the  trustees  having  the  honor  of  being  intrust- 

/<    f  d  with  an  alVair  of  i;o  great   importance    to  the  common 

;    .:;ond  of  the  people,  especially  of  this  province,  do  with 

i    one  consent  agree,  determine  and  ordain  that  our  ColU  ge 

;    Ifouse  shall  be  called  by  the  name  of  its  nniniticent    Pat- 

ron.  and  shall  be  named  Yale  College  :    That  t!)!>;  Tro- 

vincc  may  keep  and  preserve  a  lasting  monument  of  such 

a  generous  Gentleman,  who  by  so  great  benevolence  .\m\ 

generosity,  has  provided  for  their  greatest  good,   and  the 

peculiar  advantage  of  the  inhabitants,  both  in  the  present 

,ind  future  ages. 

On  the  morning  of  the  commencement,  this  testimonial 
of  generosity  and  gratitude  was  published  with  solemn 
pomp,  in  the  college  hall,  both  in  Latin  andEnglisli.  The 
procession  then  moved  to  the  meeting  house,  and  attended 
the  public  exercises  of  the  day.  In  adtliiion  to  the  usual 
exercises  at  the  commencement,  the  Rev.  John  Daven- 
port, one  of  the  trustees,  delivered  a  florid  oration  in  celc- 
oration  of  tlie  generosity  of  Governor  Yale,  and  its  hajipy 
inHuence  on  their  infant  school.  The  honorable  Gov.  Sal- 
tonstall,  was  pleased  to  crown  the  public  exercises  with  an 
elegant  Latin  Oration,  in  which  he  expatiated  upon  the 
happy  state  of  the  college,  as  fixed  at  New-Haven,  and  en- 
dowed with  so  many  noble  benefactions.  He  particular- 
ly celebi-att  d  the  generosity  of  Governor  Yale,  with  pecu- 
liar respect  and  honor. 

At  this  commencement  eight  young  gentlemen  received 
die  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  and  a  number  were  admit- 
ted to  the  degree  of  Masters. 

On  the  same  day  on  which  the  commencement  was  hol- 
dcn  with  so  much  celebrity  at  New-Haven,  a  dissatisfied 
party  held  a  kind  of  commencement  at  Weathersfield,  in 
the  presence  of  a  large  number  of  spectators.  Five  scho- 
lars, who  were  originally  of  the  same  class  with  those  who 
now  received  their  degrees  at  New-Haven,  performed  pub- 
lic exercises,  Mr.  Woodbridge  moderated,  and  he  with 
Mr.  Buckingham,  and  other  ministers  present,  signed  cer- 
tificates, expressing  their  opinion,  that  they  were  worthy 
of  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  Mr.  Woodbridge,  in  a 
i'ormal  manner,  gave  them  these  certificates  in  the  meet- 


lions  a  I 

corn- 

iiifiirc- 

lUMlt. 


Cniu- 
inence- 
luent  at 
VVeathtri 
field. 


I  f 


5      1. 

ill 

3» 


IIISTORV  OF 


Cm  AT.  .' 


1718. 
Letters  of 
ttiank^  to 
bcnol'ac- 
ton. 


Kcmnrks 
on  the 
transac- 
tions at 
WeatlicrS' 


Book  11.  ing  liousc  ;  and  this  was  commonly  taken  and  rrpresonU'd 
as  j;iving  their  degrees. 

Soon  after  the  comnionccment.  the  trustees  sent  a  com- 
plaisant letter  of  thanks  to  (Governor  Vale,  expressing  the 
deep  sense  which  they  had  of  his  generosity,  and  certify- 
ing him  of  all  the  transactions  at  the  commencement.  They 
also  sent  a  letter  of  thanks  to  their  great  friend  and  bene- 
factor, Jeremiah  Dummcr,  Esq.  for  his  late  donation  of 
books ;  they  also  forwarded  another  to  General  Nichol- 
son, for  his  donation  of  books  in  Mr.  Dummer's  collec- 
tion. 

The  conduct  of  the  two  trustees,  Woodbridge  and  Buck- 
ingham, in  holding  a  commencement  and  giving  degrees  at 
Weathersfieldj-could  be  considered  in  no  other  point  of  light, 
than  that  of  a  great  misdemeanour,  and  highly  reprehen- 
sible. It  was  a  direct  violation  of  the  acts  of  the  trustees 
and  the  resolutions  of  the  General  Assembly,  totally  in- 
consistent with  their  duty  as  trustees,  and  calculated  in  its 
whole  tendency,  to  keep  up  division  and  disorder  in  the 
college  and  in  the  colony.  The  scholars,  by  withdraw- 
ing themselves  from  the  government  and  instruction  of  ihc 
college,  had  little  claim  to  its  honors.  This  transaction, 
indeed  was  such,  in  the  whole  view  of  it,  as  at  once  strik- 
ingly to  exhibit  the  weakness  and  fallibility  of  wise  and 
good  men,  and  how  greatly  they  may  fall  in  an  hour  of 
temptation.  But  whatever  was  the  criminality  of  this 
transaction,  or  whatever  opinions  the  trustees  or  legislature 
might  form  concerning  it,  such  were  the  divisions  in  the 
colony,  such  the  heat  and  agitation  of  men's  spirits,  that  it 
was  judged  expedient  to  let  it  pass  without  public  repre- 
hension, and  to  adopt '  the  most  condescending  and  con- 
ciliatory measures.  Mr.  Woodbridge  and  Mr.  Bucking- 
ham, were  men  of  important  characters,  and  their  influence 
in  the  colony  was  very  considerable. 

It  was  the  desire  of  the  legislature  and  trustees,  as  far  as 
possible  to  conciliate  their  friendship  towards  the  college, 
and  towards  themselves,  and  to  quiet  the  minds  of  theii' 
party. 

When  the  General  Assembly  came  together,  in  October, 
they  therefore  passed  the  following  resolutions,  to  compose 
the  difficulties  which  had  arisen  on  account  of  the  es- 
tablishment of  the  college  at  New-Haven,  and  to  effect  a 
good  agreement  among  the  trustees,  and  in  the  colony  in 
general. 

1 .  "  That  the  annual  salary  allowed  out  of  the  public 
treasury  to  the  collegiate  school,  for  the  year  jjast,  shall 
1)0  distributed  to  the  tutors  at  New-Haven,  Weathers* 


Oct.  9, 
1718. 
Resolu- 
tions of 
the  As- 
..nembly. 


-i 


CuAr.  {. 

d  represented 

s  scut  ;i  eoin- 
xpressine;  the 
,  and  ceriify- 
cmcnt.  They 
;nd  and  l)cne- 
c  donation  of 
neral  Nichol- 
imer's  collcc- 

Ige  and  Buck- 
ing degrees  at 
'  point  oflighf, 
;hly  reprchcn- 
sf  the  trustees 
•ly,  totally  in- 
dculated  in  its 
lisorder  in  the 
by  withdraAV- 
Lruction  of  ihe 
is  transaction, 
at  once  strik- 
i^  of  wise  and 
I  in  an  hour  of 
lality  of  this 
or  legislature 
visions  in  the 
spirits,  that  it 
public  repre- 
ding  and  con- 
Mr.  Bucking- 
their  influence 

tecs,  as  far  as 
s  the  college, 
ainds  of  their 

r,  in  October, 

,  to  compose 

unt  of  the  es- 

ind  to  effect  a 

the  colony  in 

of  the  public 
car  past,  shall 
n,  Weathers* 


Chap.  I. 


COiNNECTIClT. 


91 


to  the  scholars 


fie  Id  and  Saybrook,  in  pro[)ortion 
their  tuiti(»M.'' 

'2.  "  That  the  scholars  who  performed  their  exerciso  at 
VV'eafher.>!field,  shall  have  their  degrees  al  New-Haven, 
without  further  examination  ;  and  that  all  scholars  entered 
at  the  s(  hool  in  Weathersfield,  shall  be  admitted  to  the  same 
-ciridiii:^  in  the  "school  at  New-Haven." 

:i.  '•  That  there  shall  be  ."lOO  pounds  allowed  for  the 
l)uil(ling  of  a  State  House  at  Hartforxl,  which  money  shall 
he  procured  by  the  sale  of  land  belonging  to  this  colony, 
and  shall  be  put  into  the  hands  of  such  committee  as  the 
Assembly  shall  appoint  for  that  use :  and  it  is  ordered, 
that  the  scholars  at  Weathersfield,  shall  come  down  to 
New-Haven." 

4.  ''That  50  pounds  be  procured  by  the  sale  of  such 
lands  as  above  said,  and  given  to  the  town  of  Saybrook, 
for  the  use  of  the  school  in  said  town." 

b.  '•  That  the  Governor  and  council,  at  the  desire  of  the 
trustees  of  said  college,  shall  give  such  orders  as  they  shall 
think  proper,  for  the  removing  of  the  books,  belonging  to 
the  said  college,  left  at  Saybrook,  to  the  library  provided 
for  the  placing  of  them  at  New-Haven." 

6.  "  That  the  several  particulars  above  mentioned,  that 
relate  to  the  said  college,  be  recommended  by  the  Govern- 
or and  Council,  to  the  trustees  of  the  said  school,  for  their 
observation  :  and  that  said  college  be  carried  on,  promoted 
and  encouraged  at  New-Haven,  and  all  due  care  taken  for 
its  flourishing."* 

The  trustees  came  fully  into  the  measures  recommend- 
ed by  the  General  Assembly.  They  ordered,  "  that  if 
any  of  those  five  scholars  should  produce  to  the  rector,  a 
testimony  under  the  hands  of  any  two  of  the  trustees,  of 
their  having  been  approved  as  qualified  for  a  degree,  the 
rector,  upon  easy  and  reasonable  terms,  should  give  them 
a  Diploma  in  the  usual  form,  and  that  their  names  should 
be  inserted  in  the  class  as  they  were  at  first  placed."t  This 
was  finally  accomplished,  and  the  consequences  were  happy. 

Upon  the  previous  desire  of  the  trustees,  the  Governor 
and  Council  met  at  Saybrook,  in  December  following,  and 
granted  a  wan-ant  to  the  sherifl',  authorising  him  to  deliver 
tlic  books  to  the  trustees :  But  notwithstanding  the  pacific 
measures  which  the  legislature  had  adopted,  there  was  op- 
position to  the  removalof  them.  The  sheriff  when  he  came 
to  the  house  where  they  had  been  kept,  found  it  filled  and 
^iirruundcd  with  men,  determined  to  resist  him.     He,  with 

♦  Records  of  Connecticut,  vol.  v.  Oct.  1718. 

■f  l'r(;5i»ieiit  Glafi  Hhtory  »f  Yail«  College,  p.27,  28. 


Vote  of 
the  trus- 
tees. 


The  books 
removed 
from  Say- 
brook, to 
New-Ha'' 


ven. 


iHSTOHv  or 


Cii.\r.  I. 


I    .Hi 


Book  II.  iii--  iiiiciiiliuifs.  nrvrrthflr>s  fonihly  <  iiNrrd  tlir  liousr,  ami 

v.^" '">»-'  '!('li\  (  rod  flic  books  acronliiit;  to  liisonln-s.  and  ihcy  won 

J7U).     (:ofivf'y''il  to  Nrw-Havon  :  but  stich  was  thr  rrsistaiirr  and 

ronfiision  attending  the  tr.insartion,  that  about  two  hundred 

and  fifty  of  tlie  most  vahiablr  books  and  scvend  importan! 


papers,  wc?*o  conveyed  away  by  persons  unknown,  and  no 
discovery  could  ever  be  made  of  ihcm. 
'li-  t,)  p,.-      Attkr  this  unhappy  stru^jgle,  the  heat  of  men's  spirits 
siti  in  "111,-  be'^on  to  subside,  and  a  general  harmony  was  tinKhially  in- 
iiilcs.         rroduced  among  the  trustees,  and  in  the  colony.  Mr.  Wood- 
bridge  and  Mr.   Buckingham,  became  entirely  friendly  to 
the  college  at  New-Haven,  and  exerted  themselves  to  pro- 
mote its  interests.     The  trustees,  some  time  after^  as  a  tes- 
timony of  their  esteem  of  Mr.  Woodbridge,  appointed  him 
rector  pro  tempore,  and  in  1723,  he  moderated  and  gave 
the  degrees. 
Thr  rci)u-       Tji."  college,  thus  fixed  at  New-Haven,  enriched  with 
iiu'i'ni'.'rs'oi' ''>'^'>P^i'<-tions,  and  accommodated  with  a  large  and  beauti- 
tliii  <oii(m;  f'll  iiouse,  began  to  flourish,  and  was  much  more  to  bo  no- 
iiicnasi.    ticcd  in  the  learned  world,  than  it  had  been  in  its  former 
ol)scurc  and  scattered  condition.  The  numberof  students  in- 
ci-eased  to  about  forty.  These  were  under  the  tuition  and  gov- 
eininent  of  two  tutors ;  and  as  the  college  was  now  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Miiford,  was  more  frequently  visited,  and  more  under 
the  eye  of  Mr. 'Andrew,   than  it  had  ever  before  been.     It 
liowcver,  yet  laboured  under  many  inconveniences.  In  that 
.>tate  of  disorder  which  had  been  in  the  colony,  and  espe- 
cially among  the  students  of  the  college,   they  had  very 
tnuch  lost  a  r.pirit  of  subordination,  and  contracted  such  dis- 
orderly and  vicious  habits,  as  could  not,  at  once,  be  wholly 
oppressed.     The  college  greatly  needed  a  resident  rec- 
tor, by  whose  wisdom  and  exi^ericncc,  and  a  more  uniform 
;ind  energetic  govenmicnt,  those  irregularities   might  be 
eradicated,  and  better  morals,  and  a  greater' degree  of  or- 
der and  studiousness  be  introduced. 

The  triKstees  wishing  to  remove  all  inconveniences  and 
to  put  die  college  under  the  best  advantages,  convened  the 
icr  chosen  ^^^^^  year  in  March,  and  made  choice  of  the  Rev,  Timothy 
Rector.  Cutler  of  Stratford,  to  be  the  resident  rector  until  their  next 
meeting.  He  came  ahuost  directly  to  New-Haven,  and  en- 
tered on  the  instruction  and  government  of  the  college. 
Wiicn  the  trustees  met  at  the  next  commencement,  they 
fVptcmbcr  voted,  "  That  Mr.  Cutler's  service  hitherto,  in  the  place 
of  a  Rector,  was  to  their  good  satisfaction,  and  therefore 
tiif^y  desired  him  to  continue  in  it." 

WnioE  the  trustees  were  attempting  to  put  the  college 
upon  the  best  establishment,  the  legislature  had  enacted  for 


17i!». 
Mr.  Cut- 


w 


\\(  limisp,  and 
aiul  thry  won 
Tsisiaiuo  and 
It  two  hiindird 
[•nil  important 
cnown,  and  no 

f  men's  snirits 
'i  gradnally  in- 
y.  Mr.  Wood- 
?Iy  friendly  to 
nsclvcs  to  jiro- 
after^  as  a  tes- 
fippointed  him 
ated  and  gave 

enriched  with 
ge  and  beauti- 
[Tiore  to  bo  no- 
fi  in  its  former 
r  of  students  in- 
tuition and  gov - 
lowinthevicin- 
md  more  under 
[?fore  been.  It 
ienccs.  In  that 
ny,  and  cspe- 
ihcy  had  very 
acted  such  dis- 
nce,  be  wholly 
a  resident  rec- 
i  more  uniform 
ities  might  be 
degree  of  or- 

venienccs  and 
convened  the 
Rev.  Timothy 
until  their  next 
laven,  and  en- 
f  the  college, 
ncemcnt,  they 
o,  in  the  place 
and  therefore 

ut  the  college 
lad  enacted  for 


Chap.  T. 


CONNECTICrT. 


ss 


I 


their  rnroiim^rmnit,  that  KK)  poiiruK  worlh  of  now  lands  Hook  IT. 
shoiiM  be  sold,  m.mI  that  40  pounds  atin\ially  should  be  paid  s^-v'^^ 
(o  the  JMstnictors  for  the  tenn  of  seven  years.  Mil, 

'I'd  inakocoinpoMsaiionto  die  people  of  StPiiiford,  for  the 
removal  of  their  mini>ter,  the  trustees  agreed  to  give  them 
Mr.  Cutler's  house  and  home  lot,  which  iliey  |)urchased  for 
84  pounds  sliTling.  To  accommodate  Mr.  Cutler  and  his 
family,  at  New-Haven,  they  built  the  rector's  house,  which, 
with  tlje  lands  on  which  it  was  erected,  cost  tiiora  200 
pounds  sterling. 

Rector  Cutler  was  popular,  acceptable  to  the  legisla- 
ture and  the  clergy,  and  the  students  were  quiet  under  his 
instructions  and  government.     The  colic v^e  appeared  now 
to  1)0  firmly   established,  and  in  a  flourishing  and  happy 
state.     Rut,  from  a  (luarter  entirely  unexpected,  it  suffer- 
ed a  sudden  and  great  change.     At  the  commencement,  it 
was  discovered,  that  the  rector,  and  Mr.  Brown,  one  of  the  cSeTera- 
tutors,   had  embraced  episcopacy,  and  that  they  and  two  hracs 
of  the  neighbouring  ministers,  Mr.  Johnson  of  Wcst-Ha- Episcopa- 
ven,  and  Mr.  VVotmore  of  North-Haven,  had  agreed  to  re-  ^^■ 
nouncc  the  communion  of  the  churches  in  Connecticut,  and 
to  take  a  voyage  to  England  and  receive  episcopal  ordi- 
nation.    Scarcely  any  thing  could  have  been  more  surpris- 
ing to  the  trustees,  or  the  people  in  general,  as  they  had 
no  suspicions  that  the  rector  was  inclining  to  episcopacy, 
as  there  was  no  episcopalian  minister  fixed  in  the  colony, 
and  as  very  few  of  the  laity  were  inclined  to  that  persua- 
sion. 

Governor  S  altoivst  all  was  a  great  man,  and  well  vers-  GoTernov 
ed  in  the  episcopal  controversy,  and  the  tradition  has  been,  **'"""■ 
that  he  judged  it  of  such  general  importance,  in  the  then  ^^^^.ti  him. 
circumstances  of  the  colony,  that  the  point  should  be  well 
understood,  that  he  publicly  disputed  it  with  Mr.  Cutler,  at 
the  commencement,  and  that  he  was  judged  by  the  clergy 
and  spectators  in  general,  to  have  been  superior  to  him  as 
to  argument,  and  gave  them  much  satisfaction  relative  to  the 
subject.  It  was  supposed  that  several  other  gentlemen  of 
considerable  character  among  the  clergy,  were  in  the 
scheme  of  declaring  for  episcopacy,  and  of  carrying  over 
the  people  of  Connecticut  in  general,  to  that  persuasion. 
But  as  they  had  been  more  private  in  their  measures,  and 
had  made  no  open  profession  of  episcopacy,  when  they  saw 
the  consequences  with  respect  to  the  rector  and  the  other 
ministers,  that  the  people  ^ould  not  hear  them,  but  dis' 
missed  them  from  their  service,  they  were  glad  to  conceal 
their  former  purposes,  and  to  continue  in  their  respective 
places. 


34 


History  of 


Chap.  I. 


l}()OK  II. 

Mil. 


■hJk 
I 


(»rf.    I7l|l 
17:;^. 


•I7ii4. 


P  . 


TiiK  inislros  ill  the  rominriiremcni,  pnsscfl  no  rosolvr 
rdiilisr  to  tlicrfc  lor,  but  gavf  tlirmsclvrs  lime  to  know  tho 
ili«"  gnicriil  opinion  of  ihf  [U'oplr,  and  to  consult  the  legis- 
ialni-con  ihcsuhjcd.  But,  meeting  in  October,  while  ihe 
Assembly  were  in  session  at  New-Haven,  they  came  to  the 
rs;!!(j«,ving  resolutions  ;  "•  Tiiat  the  trustees,  in  faithfulness  to 
''  llie  Irust  ref)ose(l  in  them,  do  excuse  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cutler 
"  from  all  further  services  as  rector  of  Yale  College  :  That 
'"the  trustees  accept  of  the  resignation  which  Mr.  Brown 
'•  hath  made  as  tutor."  Voted,  *^  That  all  such  persons  as 
'•  shall  hereafter  be  elected  to  the  office  of  rector  or  tutor  in 
"  this  college,  shall  before  they  are  accepted  therein,  before 
'•  the  trustees,  declare  their  assent  to  the  confession  of  faith 
'•  owned  and  assented  to  by  the  elders  and  messengers  of 
'•  the  churches  in  this  colony  of  Comiecticut,  assembled  by 
"  delegation  at  Saybrook,  September  9,  1708  :  and  con- 
•*  Hrmed  by  act  of  the  General  Assembly  :  and  shall  par- 
'•  (icularly  give  satisfaction  to  them,  of  the  soundness  of 
*•  their  faith,  in  opposition  toArminian  and  prelatical  cor- 
"'  rnptions,  or  of  any  other  of  dangerous  consequence  to 
"  the  purity  and  peace  of  our  churches:  But  if  it  cannot 
"  be  before  the  trustees,  it  shall  be  in  the  power  of  any  two 
"  trustees,  with  the  rector,  to  examine  a  tutor,  w  ith  respect 
"  to  the  confession  and  soundness  of  his  faith,  in  opposi- 
■•  tion  to  such  corruptions."  They  also  voted,  "  That  up- 
"  on  just  ground  of  suspicion  of  the  rector's  or  tutor's  in- 
•'  clination  to  Arminianor  prelatic  principles,  a  meeting  of 
•'  the  trustees  shall  be  called,  as  soon  as  may  be,  to  cxam- 
"ino  into  the  case." 

Mr.  CuTLEn  and  Mr.  Brown,  having  been  thus  dismiss- 
ed from  their  services  at  the  college  ;  and  Mr,  Johnson  a- 
bout  the  same  time,  having  been  dismissed  from  his  pasto- 
ral relation,  soon  after  went  to  England,  with  a  view  to  re- 
reive  episcopal  ordination.  They  all  receivcdholy  orders. 
While  they  were  in  England,  they  visited  the  universities, 
and  were  received  by  the  vice  chancellor  of  each  and  the 
heads  of  houses  Avith  peculiar  marks  of  esteem.  Mr.  Cut- 
ler had  the  degree  of  Doctor  in  Divinity  conferred  upon 
him,  and  Mr.  Johnson  that  of  Master  of  Arts  in  both  uni- 
versities.* Dr.  Cutler  returned  in  the  character  of  a  mis- 
sionary, from  the  society  to  the  episcopal  church  in  Boston. 
Mr.  Johnson,  upon  his  return,  about  the  year  1724,  be- 
came the  llxed  missionary  of  the  chmxh  at  Stratford.  Mr. 
Brown  died  soon  after  he  had  received  orders.  Mr.  Wet- 
Miore  about  this  lime,  made  a  voyage  to  England,  rcceiv- 
cii  episcopal  ordination,  and  was  fixed  as  a  missionary  a' 
*  Dr,  Hiiiiiphn'y'j  liistory  of  propagating  the  gospel  in  foreig^n  partf. 


Chap.  I. 


Chap.  I. 


CONNECTICUT. 


33 


ctl  no  rrsolvo 
>c  to  know  ihr 
isult  the  legis- 
brr,  while  I  lie 
L-y  came  to  llio 
faithfulness  to 
^v.  Mr.  Cutler 
/ollege  :  That 
^h  Mr.  Brown 
uch  persons  as 
: tor  or  tutor  in 
therein,  before 
fession  of  faith 
messengers  ol" 
assembled  hj 
lOQ  :  and  eon- 
md  shall  pui-- 
soundness  of 
prclatical  cor- 
onscqucncc  to 
lut  if  it  cannot 
werofany  two 
',  with  respect 
ith,  in  opposi- 
Dd,  "Thatup- 
>  or  tutor's  in- 
s,  a  meeting  of 
y  be,  to  exam- 

n  thus  dismiss- 
ir.  Johnson  a- 
rom  his  pasto- 
b  a  view  to  re- 
ed holy  orders, 
le  universities, 
f  each  and  the 
;m.  Mr.  Cut- 
lonfcrred  upon 
s  in  both  uni- 
acter  of  a  mis- 
n-ch  in  Boston. 
rear  1724,  br- 
tratford.  Mr. 
rs.  Mr.  Wet- 
igland,  rcceiv- 
,  missionary  at 
1  foreign  part*. 


Hve.    in  the  provinre  of  N'  w-Vork.     lie  enjoyed  n  hmii  Book  II. 
nii'ii-^lrv.  and  died  ;it  \\y.  17110.     Thcsf  wen-  the  first  of  ^,^-s/-<^, 
ihf  clergy  who  declared  for  cpiscopiM  y  in    Coiuiecficiit, 
:ind  were  very  much  the  fathers  of  the  episcopal  church  in 
C()ii;iecticu»  and  in  Ncw-Kngland. 

VVhii.k  tlie^e  things  were  transaclifig.  Governor  Yale,  p.  ;iili  of 
the  gnat  benefactor  of  the  college,  died  in  England.  July  ^'"V' mot 
8th,  1721.  Tlie  governor  wa>  the  son  of  Thomas  Yale,  ^"'''• 
Es(|.  and  was  born  at  New-Haven,  April  lj[h,  Hi  U:.  His 
father  was  of  an  ancient  and  wealthy  family  in  Wales. 
wl)ieli  for  many  generations,  inherited  the  manoi  of  Plas 
Grannow,  and  several  other  Messuages  near  the  city  of 
Wrexiiam.  of  the  yearly  value  of  500  pounds.  But  for  the 
sake  of  reliuion,  he  came  into  America,  in  1G.38,  and  was 
one  of  the  first  and  principal  settlers  of  New-Haven.  Aj 
about  ten  years  of  age,  he  sent  his  son  to  England,  where 
he  completed  his  education.  At  about  thirty,  he  went  to 
(he  East  Indies,  where  he  resided  nearly  twenty  years. 
He  acquired  a  great  estate  in  that  country,  was  made  gov- 
ernor of  fort  St.  George.  an<l  married  an  Indian  lady  of  for- 
tune, relict  of  governor  Hinmers,  his  predecessor  in  the 
government.  By  her  he  hatl  three  daughters,  Catherine. 
Aime,  and  Ursula.  After  his  return  to  London,  he  was 
chosen  governor  of  the  East  India  company.  His  eldest 
daughter  married  Dudley  North,  Esq.  commonly  called 
Lord  North  ;  his  second  married  James  Cavendish,  uncle 
to  the  duke  of  Devonshire.  Ursula  died  unmarried.  The 
governor  continued  his  friendship  and  generosity  towards 
the  college  to  the  close  of  his  life.  A  short  time  before  h'^ 
death,  he  v/rote  his  will,  in  which  it  is  said,  that,  in  addi- 
tion to  his  other  donations,  he  gave  500  pounds  to  Yale 
College.  After^vards  judging  it  most  expedient  to  execute 
that  part  of  his  will  himself,  he  packed  up  goods  to  thea- 
mount  of  500  pounds,  ready  to  be  sent ;  but  before  they 
were  shipped,  ho  took  a  journey  into  Wales,  and  died  at 
Wrexham,  at  or  near  the  scat  of  his  ancestors.  The  good^ 
consequently  were  never  sent.  Governor  .Saltonslalltook 
great  pains  to  obtain  a  probate  for  the  will ;  but  found  it 
impracticable.  Governor  Yale,  by  means  of  his  birth  and 
connections  at  New-Haven,  became  acquainted  with  Gov- 
ernor Saltonstall,  Mr.  Pierpont,  and  the  stale  of  the  college, 
which  was  the  occasion  of  his  generous  and  repeated  dona- 
tions. He  has  been  celebrated  as  a  gentleman,  not  only 
abundant  in  wealth,  but  in  generosity  and  good  humour. 
His  name  and  memory  will  be  perpetuated  with  honour  and 
gratitude  in  Yale  College. 

The  controversy  relative  to  the  removal  of  the  colleec. 


36 


liisTouv  or 


ClIAI'.   I. 


I  !9: 


Book  II.  had  orranionrd  vario'.i.s  mustions  niativp  to  its  rlutrtcr, 
which  iruhirnl  the  Gi-nciiil  Assembly  to  miiko  an  addition* 
al  and  explanatory  act.  In  this  it  was  declared,  "  Thai 
"  arjy  trustee  might  resign  his  ollke  when 


AxKcinbly 
rt'lulive  to 
thi!  i:ol- 
Ifgc. 


he  should  sec 
"  cause  :  That  seven  trustees  convened  at  any  meeting, 
"  properly  warned,  should  be  a  quorum  ;  and  have  power 
"  to  act  by  a  majority  then  present  ;  and  to  appoint  a  clerk 
'•  to  register  their  acts:  That  a  minister  of  tnirty  years  ol' 
"  age,  might  be  chosen  a  trustee  :  and  that  the  rector 
"  should  be  a  trustee  ex  olTicio."  For  a  time,  there  was 
romn  hesitation  with  regard  to  the  reception  of  this  act ;  but 
it  was  finally  accepted,  and  the  trustees  acted  in  conformi- 
ty to  it,  until  the  grant  of  the  second  charter  in  1743. 

After  the  removal  of  Mr.  Culler,  the  trustees  agreed  that 
each  of  them  would  reside  al  the  college,  by  turns,  for  the 
tcvrn  of  about  a  month,  at  a  time,  with  the  authority  of  a 
rector :  This  form  of  government  continued  nearly  four 
years.  But  at  the  commencements  in  1 724, 1 725  and  1 726, 
Mr.  Andrew  moderated  and  gave  the  degrees. 

By  this  time  it  was  found,  by  experience,  that  the  college 
could  not  be  instructed  and  governed  in  the  best  manner 
by  monthly  rectors.  No  person  in  so  short  a  time,  could 
acquaint  himself  with  the  genius  and  character  of  the  scho- 
lars, nor  obtain  any  considerable  experience  with  respect 
to  the  best  mode  of  instruction  and  government.  A  per- 
son who  instructed  by  turns,  and  for  so  short  a  time  only, 
could  not  be  so  ready  a  teacher  as  one  who  made  it  his 
constant  employment.  It  was  not  possible,  under  such  a 
constant  change  of  teachers,  that  the  instruction  and  gov- 
ernment should  be  so  unifoni,  and  energetic,  as  when  un- 
der the  steady  conduct  of  one  superintendant.  The  trus- 
tees therefore  found  themselves  under  a  pressing  necessity 
of  obtaining  a  rector  who  should  fix  his  residence  at  the 
college,  and  make  the  instruction  and  government  of  it  his 
constant  employment. 

On  the  29th  of  September,  1725,  they  made  choice  of 
lianiR  cho-  ^^^^  ^^^*  Elisha  Williams,  minister  at  Newington,  in  Weath- 
scn  rector,  ersfield,  to  be  the  rector  of  the  college.  He  accepted  the 
172).  a|)pointment,  but  the  circumstances  of  his  removal,  were 
tn«(a)i  ri  ^'°^  Settled  until  the  next  commencement.  In  September, 
ITJb^'  1726,  Mr.  Williams  was  installed.  In  the  presence  of  the 
trustees,  he  gave  his  consent  to  the  confession  of  faith  and 
articles  of  discipline,  agreed  upon  by  the  churches  of  this 
colony  in  1708.  After  this  he  made  an  oration  in  the  col- 
lege hall.  When  he  had  concluded  this,  the  trustees,  com- 
ing in  succession,  saluted  him  as  rector  of  the  college. 

'I'q  compensate  the  people  of  Newington  for  the  rejuioyal 


ClIAI*.   I. 

o  its  chiirler, 
<  an  arldition- 
laicd,  "Thai 
le  should  sec 
any  mceling, 
d  have  power 
ipointa  clerk 
lirty  years  of 
at   the  rector 
ne,  there  was 
f  this  act;  but 
d  in  confornii- 
in  1743. 
;es  agreed  that 
turns,  for  the 
authority  of  a 
d   nearly  four 
725  and  1726, 

hat  the  college 
D  best  manner 
a  time,  could 
er  of  the  scho- 
'  with  respect 
jnent,  A  per- 
't  a  time  only, 
o  made  it  his 
,  under  such  a 
ction  and  gov- 
,  as  when  un- 
it. The  trus- 
sing necessity 
idence  at  the 
iment  of  it  his 

lade  choice  of 
on,  in  Weath- 
accopted  the 
emoval,  were 
September, 
resence  of  the 
)n  of  faith  and 
urches  of  this 
ion  in  the  col- 
trustees,  corn- 
college, 
r  the  removal 


CtlAP.  1. 


CONNECTICUT. 


an 


1 


^  of  their  minister,  the  Gencnd  Assembly  granted  liiem  an  Book  U. 
i  hundred  pounds  ;  and,  it  seems,  for  scvenil  years  relea^j  d  s.^^-w 
^  them  from  their  country  tax.  IT  JO. 

*|  No  sooner  was  Mr.  Williams  eslabli  ihed  in  his  office, 
I  than  he  began  eHectually  to  suppress  vice  and  disonUr  a- 
mong  the  students.  He  introduce<l  and  established  a  num- 
ber of  good  customs.  A  taste  for  study,  and  for  useful  and 
polite  literature  increased,  and  the  college  flourished  and 
was  happy  under  hisadministiittion. 

While  the  collejje  was  thus  endowed  and  settled,  spe- 
cial attention  was  given  to  the  instruction  of  the  people  in 
general ;  schools  were  encouraged,  their  number  increas- 
:  ed,  and  their  state  ameliorated.     The  inhabitants  increas- 
;ed,  new  societies  were  constantly  making,  and  new  chureh- 
I  es  forming.     To  encourage  the  new  towns  and  parishes, 
[and  that  all  the  inhabitants  might  fully  enjoy  the  gospel  and 
[its  ordinances,  the  legislature,  for  a  certain  time  released 
icm  from  public  taxes,  and  enabled  them  to  tax  all  the 
mds  within  their  respective  limits,  in  such  a  manner,  and 
^orso  long  a  time,  as  they  should  judj^e  necessary  for  their 
assistance,  while  they  were  settling  ministers,  and  building 
Y houses  for  public  worship  among  them. 
;|     BuTthough  the  churches  were  multiplying  and  generally 
f  enjoying  peace,  yet  sectaries  were  creeping  in,  and  began 
I  to  make  their  appearance  in  the  colony.     Episcopacy 
I  made  some  advances,  and  in  several  instances  there  was  a 
separation  from  the  standing  churches.     The  Rogercnes 
and  a  few  Baptists  made  their  appearance  among  the  in- 
habitants; meetings  were  held  in  private  houses,  and  lay- 
men undertook  to  administer  the  sacraments.     This  occa- 
sioned the  following  act  of  the  General  Assembly,  at  their 
,sessions  in  May,  1 723. 

"  Whereas  notwithstanding  the  liberty  allowed,  by  law.  An  act  to 
"  both  to  ministers  and  people,  to  worship  God  according  Pfevent 
j  '•  to  their  own  consciences,  there  are  some  persons  who,  }„  ^<^^  ^„j. 
["  without  qualifying  themselves  as  the  law  directs,  for  the  ship  of 
I"  enjoyment  of  such  liberty,  presume  to  form  themselves  God. 
I"  into  separate  meetings,  and  neglect  to  attend  on  any 
"  public  worship  of  God  on  the  Lord's  day,  under  colour 
"  of  gathering  themselves  together  in  private  houses,  for 
"  preaching  and  other  parts  of  divine  worship;  and  wherc- 
*'  as  some  persons  without  the  least  pretence,  or  colour  of 
"  being  ordained  in  any  form  whatsoever  ministers  of  the 
"  gospel,  have  nevertheless  presumed  to  gather  together  in 
*'  a  tumultuous  manner,  and  take  upon  them  to  administer 
"  the  sacrament  of  baptism,  to  the  great  abuse  and  pro- 
*•  fanation  of  that  holy  ordiuance : 


I! 


t      •'; 


III 


sc 

B'.MK  II. 


HISTORY  OF 


CiiAf.  r. 


'•  \\i'  it  iIk  If  forr*  Mi!utf«l  Ity  tlu*  i;ovrrnr>r.  nn»l  rounril. 
•  .'lilt!  n'|tiT>'r'ril;i(iv«"<.  in  j^iTiriiil  ( oiirt  :iss»MnbI«(l.  :ui(I  l)\ 
"  tin  ;iiitlioiif\ of  ilic  saiiic,  'I'lmf  ^vllilI^o^v^  r  f)rr'<ons  shall 
"  pri'Mimc.  on  the  Lord's  diiy.  lo  nryjrf  t  thr  ntihlir  wor- 
"  sliipoffioi*  in  sonic  lnwful  c  on:^rr^;ition.  anu  formlln'm- 
'•  selves  iril(»  separnle  rompanirs  in  private  houses,  beins; 
"  convi(  led  thereof  before  any  assistant  or  justire  of  ih^ 
"  peaee.  shall  each  of  them,  for  every  such  olTencc,  forfeit 
"  tlu'sinno!  lueniv  shillings. 

"  And  it  is  further  enacted,  by  the  authority  aforesaid, 
"  that  whatsoever  persr)n,  not  being  a  lawfully  allowed 
"  minister  of  the  gospel,  shall  presume  to  profane  the 
"  holy  sacraments,  by  administering;,  or  making  a  show  of 
"  administering  them  to  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever, 
"  and  being  thereof  convicted  before  the  county  court,  in 
*'  such  county  where  sucholFence  shall  be  committed,  shall 
"  incur  the  penalty  of  ten  pounds  for  every  such  oflence, 
"  and  suffer  corporal  punishment,  by  vhipping,  not  cx- 
"  ceeding  thirty  stripes  for  each  oflence/'t 

The  existing  laws  of  the  colony  made  provision  for  the 
relief  of  persons  soberly  dissenting  from  the  mode  of  wor- 
ship established  in  it,  upon  apj^lication  made  to  the  legis- 
lature. Besides  it  cannot  be  denied,  that  for  persons  un- 
ordained  and  entirely  unauthorized  to  administer  the  sacra- 
ments, and  especially  in  a  tumultuous  manner,  must  be  a 
high  profanation  of  the  holy  ordinances,  and  a  very  great 
misdemeanor.  Nevertheless  this  act,  it  is  believed,  has 
generally  been  considered  as  inconsistent  with  the  rights  of 
conscience,  and  that  toleration  which  ought  to  be  exercised 
towards  christians  of  all  denominations.  The  Quakers, 
Uogerencs,*  Baptists,   and  other  separates,   have  made 

t  Records  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  Vol.  V.  May,  1723. 

*  Tlie  Rogerenes  were  a  sort  of  Quakers,  who  had  their  origin  and 
name  from  one  John  Rogers,  of  New-London.  He  was  a  man  of  unbound- 
ed ambition,  and  wished  to  be  something  more  than  common  men.  One 
Case  and  one  Banks,  two  lewd  men,  called  singing  Quakers,  coming  thro' 
the  colony  singing  and  dancing,  accompanied  with  a  number  of  women  to 
assist  them  in  their  musical  exercises;  and  especially  to  proclaim  how 
their  lips  dropped  with  myrrh  and  honej',  fell  in  company  with  John,  and 
at  once  made  a  convert  of  him  to  their  religion.  He,  in  a  high  degree  im- 
bibed their  spirit,  and  ever  retained  it.  Notwithstanding,  it  was  not  lonq; 
after,  before  he  commenced  a  seventh  day  Baptist.  After  maintaining 
the  opinion  of  this  sect  for  a  tihort  time,  he  returned  again  to  Quakerif-ni. 
To  gratify  his  pride,  and  that  he  might  appear  as  tlie  head  of  a  oeculiur 
sect,  he  differed  in  several  points  from  the  Quakers.  Particular!,  .j  main- 
tained that  there  were  three  ordinances  of  religious  use,  bajitism,  th( 
Lord's  supper,  and  imposition  of  hands.  To  make  himself  more  eminent, 
as  the  head  of  a  new  sect,  he  commenced  preacher  of  his  peculiar  scheme, 
and  without  any  kind  of  ordination,  administered  baptism  to  his  followers. 
The  madness,  immodesty,  and  tumultuous  conduct  of  Rogers  and  those 
who  followed  him,  at  thiis  d^y,  is  hardly  conceivable,    ft  seemed  to  \>o 


4 
'■4 


* 


CtlKfU't' 


rONNRCTirUT. 


r.  nrifl  rnnnril. 
ibl«  il.  ;)ikI  ))\ 
•  prr.'^ons  <.|iall 
('  ntihlir  wor- 
nu  form thirn- 
housps,  briris; 
justice  of  ibf^ 
offence,  forfeit 

rity  aforesaid, 
vfiilly  allowed 
profane  the 
ting  a  show  of 
IS  whatsoever, 
ninty  court,  in 
ininitted,  shall 
r  such  oflence, 


not  ex- 


>vi.sion  for  the 
mode  of  wor- 
Ic  to  the  Icgis- 
or  persons  un- 
ster  the  sacra- 
er,  must  be  a 
d  a  very  great 
believed,  has 
Lh  the  rights  of 
)be  exercised 
rhc  Quakers, 
;,   have  made 

1723. 

tlieir  origio  and 
1  manofunbound- 
nmoii  men.  One 
[ers,  coming  thro* 
tber  of  women  to 
to  proclaim  how 
ly  witli  John,  and 
a  higti  degree  im- 
g,  it  was  not  long 
\rter  maintaining 
a  to  Quakerism, 
ead  of  a  oeculiur 
ticulan,  .<:  muin- 
se,  ba[)tism,  the 
elf  more  eminent, 
peculiar  scheme, 
u  to  his  followers. 
bOgers  and  tliOFc 

ft  seemed  to  {>o 


great  cumplaints  of  this  ;iii(l  ?*ome  other  jiimilar  l.i\v«,  h\  nnov  II. 
»vhi(h,  jurhiips,  in  Homr  lew  iiisi.uu  «s,  ih«y  li;i\«  I»m  n  > 
>nbj('<  t  to  pfii. titles  \vhi(  h  they  oiij^ht  iiol  fi»  have  ( iidiirnl. 
Hut  in  ^(iu\"i\.  tl»c  piuii'hrn('iil>  intli(  led,  and  t'lr  sullir- 
ingsof  \vlii(  fi  tlieseclarijs  boasted,  as  endured  lor  (  iiRisr's 
and  con.science  sake,  were  for  gross  inimonditio,  brea(lie-< 
of  the  jx-aee,  ah«i  high  nii^dtnieaners  against  die  laws  of 
(Jon  and  men.  NninlnTs  of  lln'  s»rtaries  of  that  day  weir 
the  most  wild  and  \n)lenl  enthusiasts.  They  had  d(  rply 
indjibed  the  sjiirit  of  George  Fox,  and  ilu  iSlunsU  r  Bap- 
ii>(s,  and  gave  incalculable  trouble  both  to  the  church  and 
i.onunonweallh. 

tlicir  ittudy  and  doli^lit  to  violate  the  inhbath,  insult  mngistratrs  and  min- 
i^tcr^,  and  to  truniplu  on  all  law  and  authority,  human  and  divine.  They 
would  come,  on  the  liord'n  day,  into  the  monl  pul)iif  a»i.'emhlie<"  nearly  or 
cjaite  naked,  and  in  the  time  of  puhlie  worship,  behave  in  a  wild  and  tu- 
multuous maimer,  crying  out,  and  char:;ing  the  most  venerable  mini.'tvrs 
with  lies  iind  false  doctrine.  They  would  labour  upon  the  Lord's  day, 
drive  cartH  by  pluceit  of  public  worship,  and  fruiu  town  to  town,  apparently 
on  purpose  todinturb  Ctirisliann  and  ChriNlian  Mm  niblies.  I'hey  seemed 
to  take  pains  to  violate  the  laws  in  (he  presence  of  ollicers,  that  they  ndght 
lie  complained  of,  and  have  an  opportunity  *.o  insult  ttie  laws,  the  courts, 
and  all  civil  authority. 

A  particular  instance  of  their  conduct  on  a  certain  occasion,  when  llo- 
sfers  was  indicted  for  a  high  misdemeanor,  maiy  serve  as  a  specimen  of 
their  spirit  and  conduct  in  general.  I  he  crime  for  which  he  was  indicted, 
and  the  manner  of  his  own  and  his  followers*  conduct,  will  appear  from 
the  following  extract  from  I'ratt's  Historical  Account  of  Quakerism. 

"  It  was  his  manner  to  rush  into  the  assembly  on  the  Lord^s  day,  in  thft 
"  timo  of  God's  worship,  in  a  very  boisterous  way,  and  to  charge  the  min- 
"  ister  with  lies  and  false  doctrine;  and  to  scream,  shout,  stump,  &c.  by 
''  which  he  oflered  insuflcrable  molestations  to  the  worship  and  people  of 
^'  God.  And  this  was  his  manner  in  the  court  also,  when  he  pleased,  or 
'^  had  a  mind  to  make  himself  sport,  and  he  would  laugh  at  it  when  he  had 
^'  done  until  his  sides  shook. 

"  I  saw  him  once  brought  to  court  for  such  a  disturbance,  committed  on 
"  the  sabbath.  He  had  contrived  the  matter  so  as  to  be  just  witliout  the 
"  door  when  he  was  called  to  answer ;  upon  which  he  rushed  into  court 
"  with  a  prodigious  noise ;  his  features  and  gestures  expressed  more  fury 
'■'  than  I  ever  saw  in  a  distracted  person  of  any  sort,  and  I  soberly  think, 
'■'  that  if  a  legion  of  devils  had  pushed  him  in  headlong,  his  entrance  had 
"  not  been  more  horrid  and  ghastly,  nor  have  seemed  more  preternatural. 

''  When  he  came  to  the  bar,  he  demanded  of  the  court  what  their  busi- 
^^  ncss  was  with  himf  The  indictment  was  ordered  to  be  read.  To  this 
''  he  pleaded  not  guilty,  after  a  new  mode ;  for  as  the  clerk  read,  some- 
*'  times  at  the  end  of  a  sentence,  and  sometimes  at  the  beginning,  ho  would 
"  cry  out,  Tlial^s  a  cursed  lie;  and  anon,  Thaft  a  devilish  lie;  till  at 
'■  length  a  number  of  his  followers,  of  both  sexes,  tuned  their  pipes,  and 
"  screamed,  ropred,  shouted  and  stamped  to  that  degree  of  noise,  that  it 
"  was  impossible  to  hear  the  clerk  read." 

He  professed  to  be  a  most  holy  man,  guided  in  all  his  conversation  by 
the  Holy  Ghost,  so  that,  for  the  course  of  twenty  years,  he  had  Uved  with- 
out the  commission  of  one  sin.  Yef.  he  was  almost  constantly  committing 
such  gross  olTences.  He  was  divorced  from  an  amiable  wife  for  fornica- 
tion and  supposed  beas'iality.  The  latter  he  often  confessed  out  of  court. 
^Vhen  he  had  occasion,  he  took  to  his  bed  a  maid  whom  he  had  purchased, 
irni  after  sbeha-l  lir^rnehim  twochiidrcr,  h<.»  put  her  away.    lie  suflbred  a 


40 


lllSTORY  OF 


Thak  II. 


CIlAPTlCR  II. 

'flir  tiifrnvffif  and  njinivi}*  nfminrs.  Laws  find ctii:ourngt' 
mrnls  in  he/uitf  of  l/if  miners,  and  nfthosr  who  were  enga- 
{fed  in  carrying  on  the  business  uf  mining. 


i 


w 


»0()K 


1 7 1 :. 


II.  "]%/■■  ANY  of  thr  aflvcnturorH  to  North-Anirrica,  wcrt' 
^^  If  M-  sliongly  possrssod  wilh  nn  idra  of  lUv  riches  ot 
North,  as  wril  as  of  South-Amorica.  Thoy  concoivcd  that 
its  moiiiituii)s  and  hills  aboiitulrd  \vith  precious  motals  and 
minerals;  and  that  however  rich  the  soil  rni^ht  be,  yet  that 
the  howels  of  the  earth  would  aftbrd  iheni  much  greater 
wealth.  The  rich  mines  and  golden  sands  of  the  South, 
wilh  the  natural  love  of  gold,  mightily  cherished  these 
ideas.  Much  pains  were  therefore  bestowed  on  various 
parts  of  the  country,  to  discover  these  sources  of  w  ealth. 
niwovcry  About  the  year  1712,  two  mines  were  found  in  Connecli- 
v\  inincH.    ^yj^     Qj^p  jj^  ji^p  j^^j^  ^j.  gin,sbury,  and  the  other  in  the 

then  undivided  lands  in  Wallingford.  They  were  called 
copper  mines, but  it  was  conceived  that  the  copper  contain- 
ed a  mixtuVc  of  a  more  precious  kind.  Upon  opening  the 
mines,  the  gentlemen  principally  concerned  in  them,  made 
application  to  the  legislature  for  encouraeements  for  their 
works,  and  for  the  enacting  of  laws  enabling  them  to  pro- 
seoite  their  undertaking  in  the  mining  business  to  greater 
effect,  and  with  more  equal  justice  among  themselves.  They 
represented  it  as  an  object  worthy  of  the  attention  of  the 
legislature,  and  that  by  means  of  the  mines  great  advanta- 
ges might  be  derived  to  the  colony.  William  Patridge, 
Esq.  ofNewbury,  and  Jonathan  Belcher,  of  Boston,  were 

May  nt2.  principally  concerned  in  opening  the  mine  at  Simsbury  ; 

An  act  re-  and  upon  ihcir  petition,  the  legislature,  for  their  encourage- 
ment, granted  that  all  the  miners,  operators  and  laborers, 
be  exempt  from  military  duties  for  the  term  of  lour  years. 
On  the  petition  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the  lands  in 
Wallingford,  it  was  enacted,  that  the  iieirs  of  the  original 
proprietor  should  have  an  equal  share  in  the  mine  already 
discovered,  and  in  all  other  mines  which  should  be  here- 
after discovered  in  said  lands. 


1  alive  to 
them 


long  imprisonment,  upon  a  strong  su^picioa  (hat  lie  was  an  accomplice  in 
burning  the  meetin";-hou?e  at  New-London.  He  once  sat  upon  the  gal- 
lows upon  a  conviction  of  blasphemy.  For  these  and  the  like  instances,  he 
nnd  his  followers  suffered  the  penalties  of  the  law ;  but  for  his  religion, 
neither  he  nor  his  followers  suffered  any  thing,  any  further  than  it  led  them 
to  sucU  miiidemeanors  as  arc  punishable  by  the  laws  of  all  Christian  na- 
tions. 


CtiAr.  II. 


ru4P.  n. 


CO.NNECTICl'T. 


41 


1 


'  ■''"„# 


indruionragt' 
vho  were  engu- 


mrrica,   were 

ilu"  riches  ot 

OMCoivctl  that 

Ills  moiaisand 

lu  be,  yet  that 

much  grt'iitcr 

of  the   South, 

icrished   these 

I'd  on  various 

ces  of  wcahh. 

1  in  Connccti- 
j  other  in  the 
f  were  called 
oppcr  contain- 
)n  opening  the 
in  them,  made 
lents  for  their 
!?  them  to  pro- 
ess  to  greater 
nselves.  They 
tention  of  the 
^reat  advanta- 
iain  Patridge, 
■  Boston,  were 

at  Simsbury ; 
eir  encourage- 
and  kiborers, 
of  four  years, 
of  ihe  lands  in 
if  the  original 

2  mine  already 
liould  be  herc- 


;  ah  accomplice  in 
sat  upon  the  gal- 
!  like  in^stances,  he 
t  for  his  religion, 
!r  than  it  led  them 
r  all  Christian  na- 


8- 


Alirra  »ri.«!  '»f;iU>uf  six  yrar«,  it  was  found  by  expefi- Book  II. 
MK f,  Ihit  rlu  iirMhrl.ik«Ts  in  tjif  business  nf  llie  mine  >i^-v^^^ 
rntiM  !n»(  jMOMTuH-  il  loany  <otiHider.iblr  advaiifaj^r,  wiih- 
ouf  the  assi'statue  of  law,  Ni)twilli>iandin^  any  agref- 
ni«  .ii«t  wliii  II  llif-y  (duld  mak«'  arnoni;  lIuniMlves.  (hero 
wwr  siK  11  d<  ii(  ienci's  amoni^  llu-  Mnderlakrrs  and  pr()[)ri- 
r(ors,  as  i<  tliHr  |)orlion  of  labour  and  expense,  anti  surli 
flisorderainJ  anitn(»Hiti«vs  among  them,  and  Jhat  want  ofsyn- 
teiii,  which  was  absoluf»  'y  nrressary  to  enable  them  to 
pifisersile  the  business  lo  any  considerable  private  or  nub- 
lic  advar.lage.  The  hgislature  therefore  to  remedy  tnese 
evils,  I'.nd  lo  enable  llicm  to  prosecute  their  designs  in  a 
inoiT  sysinnatic  and  righteous  manner,  enacted  as  follows  : 

"  Forasnuich  as  the  copper  minci  in  this  colony,  by  the  Oct.  1718, 
orddly  and  elVectual  management  of  them,  may,  in  time  to 
come,  be  of  great  use  and  advantage,  not  otdy  to  the  im- 
iiK'diale  proprietors  an<l  undertakers  therein,  but  also  to 
this  and  the  neighbouring  provinces  in  general,  although  at 

resent  ihey  be  of  small  advantage  to  any  body,  and  a  fruit- 
less expense  of  money  to  the  proprietors  and  undertakers  : 

lierefore  to  remedy  the  same,  and  for  the  more  orderly 
Uiu\  ellbctual  management  of  the  said  copper  mines,  and  to 
encourage,  countenance  and  gratify  the  undertakers  there- 
in, Be  it  enacted  by  the  governor,  council  and  representa- 
tives, in  general  court  assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of 
the  same,  that  when  and  so  often  as  there  is  and  shall  be 
any  copper  mine,  or  mines,  discovered  in  any  town  in  this 
colony,  it  shall  be  in  the  power  of  any  three  of  the  proprie- 
tors of  any  such  mine,  by  a  notification  under  their  hands, 
set  upon  the  sign-post  of  the  town  where  the  said  copper 
mine  is,  on  the  25th  day  of  March  yearly,  to  appomt  a 
meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  said  mine,  to  be  held  within 
the  said  town,  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  April  then  next  fol- 
lowing ;  when  and  where  the  proprietors  of  the  said  mine, 
that  have  the  immediate  interest  of  the  same  in  possession, 
or  the  major  part  of  them,  which  shall  be  then  and  there  as- 
sembled, (which  majority  shall  arise  by  the  major  part  of 
interest,)  shall  have  power  to  choose  a  clerk,  »o  be  sworn 
by  the  next  justice  of  the  peace,  to  enter  the  acts,  votes, 
deeds  and  agreements  of  the  said  proprietors,  and  of  aU 
other  persons  concerned  in  the  management  of  said  mine, 
of  ancl  about  said  mine,  and  the  management  thereof,  which 
clerk  shall  continue  in  said  office  during  the  pleasure  of 
said  proprietors;  and  that  by  and  with  the  consent  of  the 
said  cleik,  and  wit',  such  other  notification  as  the  said  clerk 
shall  in  his  discretion  think  proper,  besides  what  is  above 
Uicn'aoncd,  a  special  meeting  of  the  proprietor?  may  l^e. 


4i 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  If. 


Vl  *i 


if 


!:; 


i  III 


Book  11.  ri|i|>oiiil<tl  imd  hcM.  iit  any  otlirr  lin-i*^  nnd  plnrr,  iis  emcr- 
s«»'"v'>fc' gciW  ()((;t,-,i(jns,  Ity  their tli^crction.  may  icijiiirc. 
Ori.  niiJ.  And  tiirlhrniiorf.  ihal  ihc  said  pi«)i)ri(  tors  in  any  of  ihcir 
nirclint's  aforesaid,  or  the  major  part  of  iliein.  to  lieae- 
(.(.unled  as  aforpsai(i,  by  vote  sliall  have  power  to  make  all 
.  iich  reasonable  votes,  agreements  anil  oitlers,  as  they 
i^hall  think  most  conducive  and  profitable  to  the  whole,  for 
tlieir  managentent  of  :he  said  alTair  of  the  copper  mine,  for 
the  common  good  of  all  the  said  projirietors.  Particularly, 
in  direct  the  work  that  shall  be  done,  the  proportion  o! 
money  to  be  levied,  the  men  that  shall  be  employed,  the 
lime;-,  the  places,  and  all  the  circumstances  that  shall  bi^ 
ie(|uisile  to  determine  concerning  (he  same  :  As  also  alf, 
and  every  other  matter  and  thing  proper  to  be  done  by  th( 
proprietors,  as  occasion  may  discover  for  the  improvemeni 
of  (he  said  copper  mine,  to  the  best  advantage  of  the  said 
proprietors,  as  well  as  of  the  public  weal. 

Moreover  also,  that  the  said  proprietors,  in  any  of  their 
nieelings  aforesaid,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  to  be  ac 
counted  as  aforesaid,  shall,  by  their  vote,  have  powoi'  to 
make  sucli  rules,  orders,  and  by-laws,  as  they  shall  judge 
necessary  for  the  belter  management  and  ordering  of  the 
said  copper  mine  or  mines,  partners,  proprietors,  under- 
iakers,  and  all  other  things  and  persons  touching  the  prcmi- 
.ses,  annexing  penalties  to  the  same,  not  exceeding  forty 
,  .shillings  for  any  one  ofl'ence ;  to  be  recovered  before  thr 

commissioners  hereafter  to  be  appointed  for  said  coppei 
mine.  Provided,  that  none  of  the  said  rules,  or  order.*, 
which  shall  be  contrary  to  the  laws  of  this  colony,  shall  hr 
of  any  force  or  value  :  As  also  to  appoint  a  committeie,  oi 
committer's,  ini»tees  or  agents,  for  the  doing  orraanaginir 
of  any  matter  or  thing  in  behalf  of  the  said  proprietors,  any 
»  ways  touching  or  concerning  the  premises,  or  any  of  them 
whatsoever  or  wheresoever.  And  be  it  enacted  by  the 
iiuthority  aforesaid,  that  if  any  of.  the  proprietors  of  thp. 
said  mine,  in  the  possession,  or  undertakers  m  the  manage- 
ilicnt  of  the  same,  for  the  time  being,  shall  at  anytime  neg- 
lect or  refuse  to  improve  or  carry  on  his  or  their  part  and 
]troportion  in  the  management  of  any  such  copper  mine, 
according  to  (he  rules  and  orders  thereof  made,  had  and 
agreed  upon,  as  aioresald,  then  it  shall  be  in  the  power  of 
the  said  proprietors,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  to  be  ac- 
j  ounted  as  aforesaid,  by  themselves  in  their  meeting,  or  by 
(heir  standing  comniitice,  to  this  end  empowered,  to  agree 
with  any  other,  or  others  of  the  said  propri<Hors,  or  upo" 
their  refusal  with  any  other  of  his  majesty's  good  subject*, 
when  they  shall  see  cause,  to  enter  upon  and  improve  any 


Chap.  If. 

ilnrc,  as  cmcr- 
[Uiic. 

in  iiiiy  of  thcii- 
lu'in.  lo  he  ac- 
vrrio  make  all 
nlors,  as   thry 

the  whole,  foi' 

ijtper  mine,  for 

Particularly, 

proportion  o! 
cniployed,  tht 
s  that  shall  he 
:  As  also  all, 
be  clone  by  the 
e  improvement 
age  of  the  said 

in  any  of  their 
cm,  to  be  ac" 
have  powTi'  to 
icy  shall  judge 
rdering  of  the 
rictors,  under- 
liing  the  premi- 
xceeding  forty 
red  before  thr 
►r  said  copper 
ales,  or  orders, 
olony,  shall  bo 
committee,  oi 
ig  or  managini: 
roprictors,  any 
or  any  of  theni 
nactea  by  the 
prietors  of  thp. 
m  the  manage- 
t  any  time  neg- 
their  part  and 
1  copper  mine, 
lade,  had  and 
in  the  power  ol 
hera,  to  be  ac- 
meeting,  or  by 
rered,  to  agree 
etors,  or  upon 
good  subject^, 
d  improve  an\ 


('  IMP. 


II. 


CONNFXTICUT. 


^ 


J  irt  or  portion  of  ihe  said  copper  mine,  aiul  all  th"  things  Book  II. 
nduliini,'  thcsanif,  belonging  lo  the  person  so  neglctiiig.  N-^'>'''>»ii' 
t!t  •  spaceof  one  year,  liirn  next  coming,  and  to  the  next  an- Oct.  nu 
iHKil  nieeting  in  Ajiril,  and  thenee   forward    from  yearto 
vfarunlil  from  the  jtrofits  ihen'of.  shall  l»e  repaid  fourfold, 
I4II  ihe  charge  or  expense  he  or  they  shall  beat,  in  manag- 
ing and  carrying  on  said  part.     The  same  nile  shall  be  at- 
tended to  in  the  ease  of  orj)hans,  whose  guardians  shall  re- 
fuse or  neglect  to  improve  or  carry  on  their  wards'  parts  or 
proportion  as  aforesaid  of  the  coj)})er  mine  aforesaid. 

Be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that  it 
shall  and  nr<y  be  lawful   for  the  proprietors  of  any  such 
mine,  lo  take  out  from  the  General  Court   of  this  colony, 
from  time  to  time,  as  they  have  occasion,  or  shall  desire  i(, 
a  commission  under  the  .seal  of  this  colony,  to  such  three 
commissioners  as  this  court  shall  from  time  to  time  appoint, 
to  continue  during  pleasure,  impowering  said  commission- 
.<Ts,  orany  two  of  them,  from  time  to  tinie,  to  appoint  and 
.."Wear  their  clerk,   and  at  such  times  and  places  as  they 
^shall  think  meet,  to  appoint  by  their  direction  according  to 
law,  to  hear  and  determine  all  such  controversies,  quar-         « 
rels  and  suits  that  may  arise  and  happen  between  the  pro- 
prietors, undertakers,  partners,  miners,  refiners,  labourers 
aforesaid,  or  their  servants  orany  of  them,  or  between  any 
«f  them  orany  other  persons,  anyways  touching  or  con- 
cerning the  said  Coppermine,  or  any  of  the  rights,  proprie- 
tors, agreements,  covenants,  votes,  rates,  orders,  penalties, 
matters  or  things,  concerning  or  any  ways  relating  to  the 
management  and  improvement  of  the  said  copper  mine,  as 
aforesaid.     And  all  sheriffs  and  other  inferior  officers  are 
hereby  required  to  give  their  attendance  upon  the  said  com- 
missioners, to  execute  and  fulfil  their  precepts  and  writs, 
and  yield  all  the  obedience  to  their  lawful  commands,  as 
vmto  others  his  majesty's  courts  within  this  colony.     And 
tJie  fees  of  the  commissioners  and  officers  shall  be  the  same 
as  is  by  law  allowed  in  the  county  courts.     Provided  nev- 
ertheless, that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  any  person  or 
persons  entering  special  bail,  with  sufficient  sureties,  be- 
fore the  said  court  of  commissioners,  to  appeal  to  the  gov- 
ernor and  council,  in  the  next  General  Assembly,  for  a  final 
issue  of  any  of  the  quarrels,  controversies  or  suits  aforesaid, 
when  the  property  of  the  said  mine  shall  be  in  question,  or 
where  the  matter  or  thing  in  demand  shall  exceed  the  val- 
ue of  five  pounds ;  in  which  case  the  execution  shall  be  sus- 
pended until  the  matter  is  issued,  and  that  in  such  case  al- 
so, such  fees  shall  be  paid  as  in  the  superior  court.     Pro- 
vided also,  that  said  copper  mines  and  all  persons  and  things 


i    H^  "'"■ 


44 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  II. 


May  ItUi, 
1721, 

Further 
provision 
for  the  ad' 
vantage- 
ous  man- 
sgeiQcnt  of 
jlie  mines. 


tourliiiig  thr  same,  shallhc  iimlir  siirlnrfjulation.  ord'-r 
and  dirf.ction,  as  this  tourt,  from  titnr  lo  time  shall  ju.';(c 
further  needful  for  the  management  thereof,  for  the  best  ad- 
vantage, OS  well  of  the  colony  in  general,  as  of  the  propri- 
etors and  nndcriakers  in  particular.  And  further,  this 
court  doth  appoint  Matthew  Allyn,  Joseph  Talcoit,  Es- 
quires, and  Mr.  John  Hooker,  to  be  commissioners,  as  a- 
foresaid,  for  the  company  of  the  miners  at  Simsbury  <op 
per  mines:  and  John  Hamblin,  James  Wadsworth,  Es- 
quires, and  Capt.  John  Hall,  to  be  commissioners  as  afore- 
said, to  be  commissioners  for  the  company  of  miners  at 
Wallingford  copper  mines,  to  continue  during  the  pleasure 
of  this  court.  And  the  proprietors  and  undertakers  res- 
pectively, may  at  their  request  have  the  said  commissions 
made  out  under  the  seal  of  this  colony,  signed  by  the 
governor  and  secretary.  This  act  to  continue  two  years 
and  no  longer." 

At  the  expiration  of  this  law,  Mavllth,  1721,  further 
application  was  made  to  the  Assembly  relative  to  the  mine 
at  Simsbury.  It  seems  that  by  this'  time,  the  principal  un- 
dertakers had  been  changed,  and  that  Andrew  Fresman 
and  Charles  Cornelia  at  New- York,  had  become  the  prin- 
cipal gei]tlemen  for  prosecuting  the  mining  business.  Upon 
their  application,  the  legislature  passed  an  act  empow- 
ering commissioners  to  divide  the  copper  mines  at  Sims- 
bury, among  the  several  lessees,  their  assigns,  or  attor- 
neys, and  for  directing  and  regulating  the  management  of 
the  said  mines,  the  mills  and  works  belonging  to  the  seve- 
ral undertakers,  and  for  the  more  easily  determining  contro- 
versies Avhich  might  happen  between  the  lessees  and  their 
assigns,  and  between  the  lessees  and  any  of  them,  or  the 
workmen,  miners  or  labourers  employed  i^  the  manage- 
ment of  said  mine. 

The  act  appointed  Matthew  Allyn,  Esq.  Col.  William 
Whiting,  Aaron  Cook  and  Capt.  Samuel  Mather,  commi.s- 
sionersj  to  hear,  judge  and  determine  all  and  every  of  those 
affairs.  If  the  lessees,  their  assigns  or  attorneys  did  not  in 
twenty  one  days  from  the  rising  of  the  Assembly,  divide  the 
parts  and  shares  in  the  said  mines  to  each  lessee  or  his  as- 
sign, then  said  commissioners,  after  giving  due  notice,  ap- 
pointing time  and  place,  and  fully  hearing  the  parties  on 
the  premises,  were  directed  to  make  the  division. 

If  any  differences  arose  concerning  the  repairing  of  the 
piills  or  tools,  the  commissioners  were  authorised  to  hear 
and  determine  all  controversies  of  that  kind ;  and  to  order 
yuch  repairs  as  they  should  judge  necessary  for  the  benefit 
of  the  whole  :  fuid  the  necessary  exp er.=c,  was  to  be  paid 


th 


I 


CliAP.   11. 

ilafion,  ordrr 
ic  shall  jiii';(c 
r  the  l)pst  ;i(l- 
ol  thcpropii- 
furthcr,  this 
Tiilcott,  Es- 
sioiicrs,  as  a- 
iimsbury  <op- 
adsworth,  Es- 
)ners  as  afore- 
<  of  miners  at 
r  the  pleasure 
Icrtakers  rcs- 
i  commissions 
igned  by  the 
nue  two  yeai's 

1721,  further 
vc  to  the  mine 
>  principal  un- 
Irew  Fresman 
;ome  the  prin- 
isiness.  Upon 
1  act  empow- 
mines  at  Sims- 
igns,  or  attor- 
lanagement  of 
g  to  the  seve- 
niningcontro- 
sees  and  their 
them,  or  the 

the  manage- 

Col.  William 
ther,  commis- 
every  of  those 
leys  did  not  in 
)ly,  divide  the 
isee  or  his  as- 
ue  notice,  ap- 
the  parties  on 
sion. 

sairing  of  the 
Cf  iscd  to  hear 
and  to  order 
or  the  benefit 
as  to  be  paid 


I 
t 


Chat.  TI, 


CONNECTICrr. 


46 


I 


;»(  ronling  lo  ihe  proportion  of  ihrir  rrsperiive  shares.     If  Book  It. 
rontif»vfi>ies  should  arise  in  any  olh»r  malter-;  rthiting  to  v-^"v^^i/ 
the  mines  or  any  persons  concerned  if\  them,  the  comrnis-    \12.\, 
si(»ni'r.s  were  authorised  to  hear,  jutlge  andtloterm'ine  them. 
If  ;iny  were  in  arrearage  and  neglected  payment,  ihey  were 
iiufhorised  tois-sue  executions  and  to  cause  payments  to  \m'. 
seasonably  and  ellectually  made.     They  appoiiUed  a  ch'rlc 
and  directed  every  thing'which  they  judged  might  be  for 
the  advantage  of  the    partie;s  immediately  concerned  and 
for  the  public  good. 

The  legislature  gave  all  the  encouragement  to  underta- 
kers and  proprietors  in  the  mines  which  they  well  could, 
by  legal  provisions,  and  it  seems  expected  that  thev  would 
have  been  of  considerable  public  emolument.  But  it  is 
believed,  that  neither  the  undertakers,  nor  proprietors, 
nor  the  colony  were  ever  very  greatly  benclitled  by  them. 
-The  mine  at  Simsbury  was  dug  until  the  veins  of  copper 
f  ceased.  A  prodigious  cavity  was  made,  which  has  since 
become  the  famous  prison,  called  Newgate.  This  ha^ 
been  of  much  greater  advantage  to  the  state  thaii  all  the 
copper  dug  owi  of  it.  The  mine  at  Wallingford  was  sup- 
posed to  be  the  richest.  It  is  imagined,  that  in  that  there 
was  a  mixture  of  silver.  But  it  seems  that  the  miners 
were  prevented  from  digging  there  on  the  account  of  the 
great  quantity  of  water  which,  after  they  had  proceeded 
some  depth,  constantly  flowed  in  upon  them.  It  was 
opened,  a  few  years  since  ;  but  the  water  prevented  the 
miners  from  digging,  and  as  they  could  find  no  way  to  di"dw 
it  off,  they  gave  over  all  further  attempts. 

Though  mines  of  gold,  silver,  precious  metals  and  mine-  Obsen>a- 
rals  have  been  esteemed  of  great  value,  and  sought  after  '""*' 
with  great  pains  and  expectations,  yet  they  are  by  no 
means  so  enriching  as  is  generally  imagined.  The  rich 
mines  of  the  South,  were  men  to  be  hired  to  dig,  refine  and 
go  through  the  various  operations  necessary  to  produce 
gold  and  silver  coins,  at  the  wages  commonly  given  in  this 
country,  would  not  bear  the  expense.  President  Clap, 
who  well  understood  the  history  of  this  business,  and  was 
an  accurate  computer  of  expenses,  observed,  that  if  the 
king  of  Spain  were  to  give  his  workmen  in  the  mining  and 
refining  business,  the  moderate  wages  of  sixpence  sterling 
a  day,  it  would  break  hinj.  It  was  because  the  business 
was  principally  done  by  slaves  and  convicts  to  whom  he 
gave  no  wages,  and  whom  he  but  miserably  clothed  and 
ted,  that  he  made  such  profits  by  them.  Mines  of  coarser 
metals  than  those  of  gold  and  silver,  are  often  the  most 
profitable,  because  they  ayre  much  more  abundant  in  the 


4C 


HISTORY  OK 


CliAP.  III. 


Book  II.  ores  whicii  tlioy  contain,  ami  iluy  nn-  prrparcfl  for  \i<r 
with  far  less  expense.  For  these  rcason%  mines  of  cop- 
per, or  lead,  may  yijld,  as  great,  or  greater  profits  thar 
those  of  gold  and  silver. 

The  riches  of  this  country,  however,  lie  near  its  .inrfacp, 
or  in  its  soil.  The  skilful  laljorious  husbandman,  will  de- 
rive greater  profits  from  a  good  farm  than  lie  would  obtain 
from  a  rich  mine.  Therefore,  such  are  the  profits  and  afl- 
vantages  of  husbandry,  as  will  keep  labour  high,  and  thr> 
present  state  of  the  country  will  prevent,  any  very  great 
profits  froin  mines  or  manufactories.  Until  the  country 
shall  be  more  completely  settled,  and  the  purchase  of 
lands  becomes  more  difficult,  it  is  apprehended  that  neither 
of  these  a\  ill  be  very  profitable. 


CHAPTER  III. 

T/t  c  importance  and  benefits  of  a  stable  currency.  The  atten- 
lion  of  the  legislature  to  this  subject*  The  mannsr  of  the 
emission  of  bills  of  credit ;  of  the  payment  of  the  pub- 
lic debt,  and  of  provision  for  the  defence  of  the  colony  and 
his  majesty'' s  service.  Answer  to  their  Lordships^  Letters, 
Depreciation  of  the  currency, 

A  STABLE  currency  is  very  essential  to  the  civil  and 
moral  interests  of  all  communities.  It  is  the  only 
The  im-  foundation  upon  which  the  principles  of  commutative  jus- 
portance  tice  can  be  firmly  fixed,  and  the  property  and  rights  of  a 
rn^r/nru'*  co^munity,  bc,  in  any  tolerable  manner,  secured.  It  is  a 
happy  guard  on  the  morals  of  a  people,  as  it  removes  nu- 
merous temptations  to  injustice,  and  puts  it  out  of  the  power 
of  speculators  and  dishonest  men  to  do  that  injustice  to 
others,  which,  in  many  instances,  are  practised  daily, 
where  the  currency  is  in  a  state  of  constant  fluctuation,  h 
secures  to  the  public,  a  greater  proportion  of  time  and  la- 
bour, which  otherwise  would  be  spent  in  speculating, 
drinking,  gambling,  and  in  other  vices  highly  usurious  to 
the  civil  and  religious  interests  of  a  commonwealth.  A  re- 
dundancy of  money  and  a  depreciating  currency  are  u 
fruitful  source  of  these  evils.  A  depreciating  currency  is 
a  public  fraud,  as  it  is  a  constant  tax  on  the  sober  industri- 
ous part  of  the  community,  for  which  they  receive  nobene- 
^t,  but  suffer  much  injury.    Jt  defrauds  all  men  who  live 


1714. 


currency. 


ClIAl'.  111. 

;arf'fl  for  ti<r 
niiK.'S  ofrop- 
r  {)iofii3  lUar 

;ar  its  snrfiicc, 
Iman,  will  dc- 

would  ohtiiiii 
H-ofits  and  arl- 

high,  and  th^' 
ny  very  grcai 
11  the  country 

Jiurchase   ol 
that  neither 


Ti 


I  AT. 


TIT. 


rONNFXTICUT. 


47 


y.  The  alien- 
'.  mannzr  of  the 
nt  of  the  puh- 
'  the  colony  and 
iships*  Letters* 


the  civil  and 
It  is  the  only 
mmutative  jus- 
aind  rights  of  a 
cured.  It  is  a 
it  removes  nu- 
at  of  the  power 
lat  injustice  to 
•actised  daily, 
iuctuation.  I(: 
)f  time  and  la- 
n  speculating, 
ly  ii:\jurious  to 
wealth.  A  re- 
irrency  are  u 
ng  currency  is 
sober  industri- 
eive  nobene- 
men  who  live 


.i|)on  salaries,  of  a  part  of  ihcir  just  durs.     It  in  various  n»)OK  IT. 
'<  tk.ivs  injiMTs  tho  rrrditor,  and   is  a  temptation  to  rvory  ^-^-^/-w 
■.  tir  r.K.:-  to  dofrauti,  l)y  I'ayiiij,'  the  creditor  le^s  than  his  just    1714. 
:|  .lues,  and  l-y  kfepiiij;  hmi  out  of  his  money  as  long  as  he 
"  possiMv  can.     By  this  mean>  many  industrious,   honest 
men,  fa'ir  iradfi's  and  useful  members  of  society  are  ruined, 
and  their  property  goes  into  the  hands  of  sneculators  and 
.ii>honest  ni^n,  asIio  are  of  little  hojior  or  advantage  to  the 
(onimuniiy.     It  i- in  a  great  variety  of  ways  a  source  of 
opprevsiDii,  of  |Mil)Iick  and  private  injustice,  and  highly  in- 
jiurious  to  the  morals  of  a  people.     Every  legislator  there- 
fore, who  wishes  to  maintain  public  and  private  justice, 
and  to  preserve  the  morals  of  the  people,  will  be  particu- 
larly solicitous  to  have  a  fixed  cun-ency. 

Of  the  importance  of  this  the  legislature,  at  this  time,  ap- 
pear to  have  been  deeply  apprehensive.     They  acted  with 
1  peculiar  caution  relative  to  » he  emission  of  bills  of  credit, 
f  and  the  establishment  of  funds  for  their  seasonable  redemp- 
tion.   The  Assembly,  in  October,  1713,  had  enacted,  that 
•20,000  pounds  in  bills  of  credit,  should  be  emitted  :  but  as 
:,*  the  war  was  terminated,  and  as  the  debts  contracted  by  it, 
had  been  in  a  considerable  degree  discharged  by  the  taxes 
which  had  been  collected  ;  and  as  they  would  be  still  fur- 
ther discharged  by  others  which  had  been  levied,  it  was 
determined  to  emit  the  twenty  thousand  pounds  in  parts, 
and  at  different  periods.     At  the  same  time  it  was  deter- 
mined to  be  calling  in,  and  burning  the  old  emissions ;  so 
that  they  might  prevent  a  redundancy  of  bills,  and  by  these 
means  guard  against  their  depreciation.     When  the  legis- j^     -... 
laturemet,  in  May,  1714,  ?t  was  enacted,  that  the  treasur- 
er should  issue  two  thousand  pounds  only  of  the  said  bills, 
and  a  fund  was  made  for  their  redemption  in  1724.     In 
May  1718,  the  legislature  ordered  that  nine  hundred  and  May  1712. 
fifty  eight  pounds  should  be  emitted  as  another  part  of  the 
twenty  thousand  pounds.     In  the  session  in  October,  one 
thousand  and  two  hundred  pounds  more  were  put  into  cir- 
culation.    These  s.nall  emissions,  which  had  little  exceed- 
ed the  quantity  of  bills  called  in,  within  the  same  term, 
Jiad  no  ill  effect  upon  the  currency.     The  bills  which  had 
been  emitted,  at  five  percent,  from  the  year  1 709  to^the  gt^te  of 
present  time,  had  suffered  no  depreciation.     In  the  scarci-  thecurren- 
ty  of  money,  they  had  facilitated  trade,  served  the  conven-  ^j,  t>ct. 
ience  of  the  inhabitants,  and  been  of  general  utility.     The  A^\^of  th 
Assembly  therefore  enacted.  That  the  bills  of  credit  of  Assembly 
this  colony,  should  be  allowed  as  a  just  payment  of  all  fespectinj 
debts,  except  those  in  which  the  contract  had  been  made'*' 
lor  money,  or  articles  purticularlv  snecificd,    until  the 
vearl7'J7. 


M 


I        ,•      >  •} 


i  II 


4^ 


inSTORY  OF 


Chap.  III. 


i    liil^ 


i7iy. 


May  1729. 


Book  II.  To  proservc  the  bills  from  (lrj>rci  iation,  (he  Assembly 
levied  four  pence  on  the  pound,  for  the  calling  in  of  six 
thousand  pounds  of  bills  which  had  been  emitted  in  June, 
171 1.  Two  pence  on  the  pound  was  levied  in  May,  and 
ihf  other  half  in  October.  As  preparations  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  country  against  the  Indians,  and  the  necessity 
of  sending  men  to  keep  garrison  on  the  frontiers,  had  in- 
creased the  expenses  of  the  colony,  it  was  enacted,  at  the 

tV;f.  1722.  session  in  October,  1722,  That  four  thoasand  pounds  in 
bills  of  credit  should  be  emitted.  In  consequence  of  this, 
the  Assembly  ordered  two  thousand  pounds  to  be  issued  in 

May  1725.  May,  for  the  discharge  of  the  nublic  debt.  In  May,  1725, 
the  other  two  thousand  pounds  were  issued.  Funds  were 
provided  at  the  same  time,  for  the  redemption  of  the  bills. 
As  many  of  the  outstanding  bills  had  been  in  circulation  a 
number  of  years,  and  were  either  torn  or  defaced,  anew 
emission  of  four  thousand  pounds  was  granted,  in  Octobci- 
1 728,  for  the  purpose  of  calling  the  old  bills  into  the  treasu- 
ry and  burning  them. 

In  May  1 729,  six  thousand  pounds  more  were  emitted  for 
the  same  purpose.  Sometimes  new  emissions  were  order- 
ed for  the  purpose  of  exchanging  them  for  the  same  amount 
of  a  former  emission.  For  the  saving  of  expense,  new 
emissions  were  sometimes  impressed  with  the  same  plates 
which  had  been  iised  in  former  ones.  This  was  the  case, 
when  torn  and  defaced  bills  were  replaced.  The  Assem- 
bly also,  at  several  times,  when  large  sums  had  been 
brought  into  the  treasury,  by  taxes,  gave  orders  for  the  re- 
issuing of  these  sums  in  part,  or  in  whole.  In  this  econom- 
ical manner,  did  the  legislature  conduct  the  affair  of  their 
bills  of  credit.  Small  sums  were  emitted  from  time  to 
time,  and  others  of  equal  amount  were  called  in  and  put 
out  of  circulation.  The  amount  in  circulation  wUs  nearly 
the  same,  or  if  it  exceeded,  it  was  not  beyond  the  increase 
of  tlie  people,  and  of  the  business  and  trade  of  the  colony. 
There  was  therefore  no  considerable  depreciationof  the  bills 
in  circulation.  In  1 733,  ihe  colony  audits  trade  were  consid- 
erably increased  and  it  was  conceived  that  agreaternumber 

III!?  ot  hills  of  bills  might  be  put  into  circulation  without  injuring  their 

ot" credit,  credit.  The  legislature  therefore  ordered  twenty  thousand 
pounds  to  be  emitted.  By  c'ct  of  the  Assembly,  the  bills 
were  to  be  redeemed  at  the  rate  of  twenty  shillings  to  eve- 
ry ounce  of  silver,  1  roy  weight.  It  was  enacted  by  the 
Assembly,  That  a  considerable  part  of  the  bills  should  bo 
loaned,  at  six  per  cent,  and  for  double  the  amount  of  the 
l)ills  in  land  security  :  and  that  each  county  in  the  colony, 
«houId  have  such  a  proportion  of  it  as  was  equal  to  their 


OcA.  1733, 
Emission 
Pid  loan 


Cm  A  p.  III. 


CONNECTICUT. 


49 


rrsMPf  fivp  lists.     It  was  dfvsi^ncd  that  all  the  people  rtiight 
hive  .III  »«(|iial  benefif  by  the  hills. 

IJiiiil  about  the  yrar  17.J5,  tlir  colony  hatl  been  so  hap- 
py, llinl  no  attempts  had  anpi  ared  to  have  l»ceii  made  for 
ilif  counterfeiting  of  its  currency.  But  al)Out  this  time 
there  arose  a  set  of  villains,  who  counterfeited  the  five 
pounds,  the  forty,  and  the  ten  shillings  bills.  Numbers  of 
these  bills  appeared  to  be  circulating,  in  various  parts  of 
the  colony.  The  legislature,  to  prevent  the  mischief 
which  the  circulation  of  counterfeit  bills  might  effect,  en- 
aried,  That  twenty-five  thousand  pounds  should  be  imme- 
diately emitted,  with  a  different  stamp,  and  exchanged  for 
the  old  bills  which  had  been  counterfeited. 

War  having  been  proclaimed  against  Spain  in  October 
1 731),  and  letters  having  been  received  from  his  majesty, 
irequiring  the  assistance   of  the  colony,  in  an  expedition 
igaiasi  the  Spanish  West  Indies,  the  Assembly,  in  their 
Session  in  May,  passed  a  resolve  to  the  following  effect : 
^liat  whereas  the  expenses  of  this  government  were  likely 
|o  be  very  great,  by  reason  of  the  expedition  directed  by 
"lis  majesty  against  the  Spanish  West  Indies,   and  those 
Inecessary  preparations  for  the  defence  of  our  borders,  sea 
[coasts  and  navigation,  and  as  the  medium  of  exchange  is 
exceedingly  scarce,  bearing  but  a  small  proportion  to  the 
[demand  which  there  is  for  it,  therefore  be  it  enacted,  That 
i  thirty  djousand  pounds,  in  suitable  bills,  shall  be  emitted. 
On  the  face  of  the  bill  it  was  said,  By  a  law  of  the  colony 
of  Connecticut,  this  shall  pass  cuiTcnt  within  the  same, 
for  twenty  shillings  in  value,  equal  to  silver,  at  eight  shil- 
lings per  ounce,  Troy  weight  sterling,  in  all  payments  and 
at  the  treasury.     The  Assembly  enacted.  That  eight  thou- 
sand pouhds  of  this  emission,  should  be  issued  for  the 
I  payment  of  the  public  debt ;  and  that  the  remaining  twen- 
ty two  thousand  pounds  should  be   loaned  to  freeholders 
[  and  inhabitants  of*  the  colony.     It  was  -also  enacted.  That 
[the  eight   thousand  pounds   should  be  redeemed  in  five 
[years,  by  five  equal  payments,  annually,  until  the  whole 
[should  be  redeemed. 

As  the  government  had  engaged  to  provide  transports 
for  the  troops  to  be  raised  in  the  colony,  and  to  victual 
them,  until  they  should  arrive  in  the  West  Indies,  it  was 
resolved,  at  a  special  Assembly,  that  fifteen  thousand 
pounds  more  should  be  emitted  in  bills  of  credit :  That 
five  thousand  pounds  should  be  retained  in  the  treasury  for 
the  redemption  of  old  outstanding  bills  which  had  been 
torn  and  defaced,  and  t'lat  the  other  ten  thousand  pounds 
should  be  issued  by  the  treasurer.     At  the  same  time  a 

G 


Boor  II. 


I'rovisiun 
against 
coiintprfeif 
bilh,  CH-t. 
1705.        * 


The  war 
with  Spain 
occasions 
a  new 
emission 
of  hills  of 
credit. 
May  1740. 


July  nth. 


I 


m- 


I  f 


t 


^ 


HISTORY  OF 


Cii.u«.  \\U 


1710, 


Spec  i;il 
Nov.  2011 

nfo. 


^ 


MooK  II.  i;ix  rtf  tni  tli(»ns;in«l  pounds  wiis  JcNicd  on  ihc  grand  list  u\ 
llic  colony,  for  llif  piiymont  of  the  whole  within  Uu  ytais^ 
Ahouf  lliis  tinit'  letters  wriT  iTccived  from  th<;  LonK 
connnissioners  of  trrvle  iind  plantations,  rc(|uiring  an  ae- 
eonnl  of  llie  tenorand  amount  of  tl»e  bills  eniicud,  by  the 
Assembly  ;  aiul  its  opinion  on  the  best  mo'lc  <  "  sinkin;; 
lluin.  Their  Lordships  also  faulted  them,  for  making  the 
emission  of  thirty  ihouijand  pounds  a  lawful  lender.  a.>,  irs 
their  opinion,  it  was  eontrary  to  the  act  of  (ho  sixth  ol 
Queen  Anne,  ascertaining  the  rales  of  foreign  coins  in 
the  several  planlalions.  The  answer  of  the  legislature  to 
''  iheir  Lordships',  letters,  will  evince  that  before  the  emis- 
sions occiisioncd  by  the  war  Avith  Spain,  the  colony  had 
but  a  small  iunoimt  of  bills  in  circulation.  They  rcprcsoni 
Ihiit  the  bills  outstanding,  which  had  been  issued  to  dc- 
fiT»y  the  expenses  of  the  government,  were  nearly  ov  fjultc 
.sunk,  by  the  taxes  of  the  years  1738  and  1739:  That  of 
I  lie  bills  loaned  before  the  commeneement  of  the  war  with 
.Spain,  three  thousand  pounds  had  been  drawn  in  for  inter- 
est in  the  year  1740,  and  that  the  whole  would  be  dis- 
charged by  the  year  1742  :  That  the  emission  of  four 
tliousand  pounds  Old  Tenor,  andof  eight  thousand  pounds 
in  bills  of  the  New  Tenor,  in  May  last,  and  ten  thousand 
pounds  in  July  following,  was  for  the  sole  purpose  of  ena- 
bling them  to  comply  with  his  majesty's  instructions  res- 
]iecting  the  expedition  against  the  Spanish  West  Indies, 
and  for  the  necessary  defence  of  the  colony.  They  affirm- 
ed thai  wilhout  these  emissions  it  was  impossible  for  them 
(o  hav).'  answered  his  majesty's  expectations,  or  to  hav(! 
provided  for  the  common  defence.  With  respect  to  the 
twenty  two  thousand  pounds  in  New  Tenor,  which  had 
(jccn  hianed,  they  represented,  that  it  had  been  emitted 
and  loaned  to  su))ply  the  want  of  a  medium  of  exchange, 
and  that  one  half  of  it  would  be  paid  in  within  four,  and 
the  other  within  eight  years  :  That  th*?  bills  which  would 
be  discharged  in  tlie  year  1742,  and  the  twenty  two  thou- 
sand pounds,  were  the  oidy  bills  ever  loaned  by  the  colony. 
With  reference  to  the  act  of  May,  for  the  emission  ol 
thirty  thousand  pounds,  in  bills  of  the  New  Tenor,  they 
answered,  that  the  clause  making  it  obligatory  on  all  per- 
sons to  receive  said  bills,  in  all  payments,  was  added  with 
.  an  honest  intent,  to  [prevent  their  depreciation.  The} 
pleaded  further,  that  ihey  had  been  encouraged  to  do  it 
irom  the  example  of  the  neighboring  government  of  New- 
York,  and  from  the  information  wlijch  they  had  received 
of  its  good  eflect,  in  preventing  the  discount  of  their  bilK 
of  credit. 


.  r'  ■U't; 


C  II VI'.  III. 


CONNEC  TKL  r. 


51 


III  relation  to  ilio  iiiconsi«ifrtiry  of  thnt  art  with  thr  art  of  nooK  II. 
iJiuTii  Aiiin',  iIm  V    |iu;ul((i.  That  tlicy  had   not  iIh-  \i:\>\  ^^^v^'^ 
;t|)|m'h(Misioii  of  it,  am!  <'«al  tlioy  had  ih'Vct  rrcrivf*!  thr     1 7  JO. 
Irast  iiisiiiuatioM  of  his  ..lajosty's  plrasiirc.  nor  oi'  that  of-Ni'V.  .'fiOi. 
the  house  of  commons  on  that  subject:  And  that,  on  the 
lirst  intimation  of  his  majesty's  pleasure,  they  had  reneal- 
ed  that  clause  in  the  act  which  made  the  hills  a  lawful  teii- 
fler.     They  concluded  by  observing,  That  by  the   law-, 
which  were  there  transmitted,  and   by  the   returns  they 
made,  their  Lordships  would  be  certified  of  the  tenorand 
amount  of  the  bills  which  had  been  emitted  :  and  that  they 
i  persuaded  themselves,  that  their  Loi'dshi(>s,  in  view  of  the 
i  whole  matter, r«wou!d  not  be  of  the  opinion,  that  they  had 
[in<')dc  large  and  frequent  emissions  of  paper  currency',  as 
[had  been  represented :  That  the  sums  they  had  emitted,  ' 

reduced  to  sterling,  or  compared  with  the  emissions  of 
some  of  the  other  colonics,  would  appear  but  small.  The 
'gislature  gave  their  Lordships  assurance,  that  special  at- 
Bntion  should  be  given  to  his  majesty's  intentions,  and  to 
Ihc  opinion  of  the  house  of  commons. 

From  these  statements,  it  appears  that  there  had  been 
10  redundancy  of  a  circulating  medium  in  the  colony,  and 
cconscquently  that  there  had  been  little  or  no  depreciation 
[of  the  bills  of  credit  before  the  Spanish  war  in  1 740.     If 
[appears  that  then  as  small  a  number  of  bills  was  emitted  as 
would  comport  with  his  majesty's  ref[uisltions,  and  a  prop- 
er defence  of  the  colony.     From  this  time  the  numocr  of 
bills  in  circulation  wis  constantly  diminishing.     In  two 
years  the  first  bills  loaned  were  all  paid  into  the  treasury, 
^rhe  twenty  two  thousand  pounds,  was  in  four  years  to  be 
\  one  half  reduced.     The  times  for  calling  in  a  considerable 
I  amount  of  the  outstanding  bills  had  expired,  and  they  had 
[been  sunk  by  the  provisions  made  for  that  purpose  by  the 
[year  1 744,  when  the  French  war  commenced.     During    n^A\ 
[this  te.m  of  about  four  years,  there  was  not  a  single  cmis-         *» 
ision.     At  this  period,  therefore,  the  bills  of  credit  must 
[have  been  rather  in  a  state  of  appreciation  than  of  discount, 
pf  he  credit  of  the  bills  appears  to  have  been  well  support- 
fed  until  after  the  commencemeat  of  the  war  with  Fianc9 
[and  the  expedition  against  St.  Louisburg. 


vif.:t    rQ'J^i''' 


' '  e 


^^■:.  -f  '.^  ■  , 


■■**•;■' 


3-i 


IIISTOKY  OF 


ClIAl'.  IV. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  rolonjf  in  fear  nflna'niv  ihrir  Charter.    Mmsuns  udojitnl 
'  tn  prrvrnt  it.     Mr.    \V,nlhri>p  t<nn[>lnins   nf  ihr    Cutoiti^. 

In  an  Appral  to  his  Mijialy  in  Council  in  a  ca.yr  httjrrtu 
him  ana  Thomas  fji/mhmrc,  Ent/.  hi  ohtaincd  a  scnlrncf, 
in  ivhivh  a  rrrtuin  law  of  the  colony,  entitled  an  Jht  for  the. 
settlement  of  intestate  e.slate.s,  was  rendered  null  and  void. 
The  coloni/  declare,  that  they  will  not  snrrendn-  their 
charter,  and  pray  for  the  continuance  of  the  act  relative 
to  intestate  estates,  •  >  ■      ,   . 

Book  II.  A  LTIfOUGH  the  colony  had  been  able  to  maintain 
^^  J^  their  charter  privileges  against  the  intrigues  of  Dud- 
ley, Cornbury  and  other  enemies,  in  '712,  and  171.3,  yet 
the  danger  was  not  yet  past.  There  were  sti'ong  parties  in 
England,  ajid  some  in  the  colonies,  who  were  unfriendly 
to  tne  charter  governments,  especially  to  those  of  New- 
England.  They  were  considered  as  too  independent  of 
the  crown  and  government  of  England.  A  bill  was  thcre- 
foie  brought  into  parliament  fo**  a  repeal  of  the  charters 
which  had  been  given  to  the  colonies.  Mr.  Dummer,  the 
agent  for  the  colony,  in  a  letter  to  the  Governor,  dated 
August  1715,  had  given  information  of  the  measures  which 
'■  the  ministry  were  pursuing,  and  had  sent  over  a  copy  of 
the  bill  which  was  pending  in  the  parliament  relative  to  the 
charter  governments.  No  sooner  were  the  Assembly,  con- 
vened in  October,  than  a  committee  was  appointed  to  ex- 
amine all  papers  and  documents  relative  to  that  allair,  and 
to  make  report  what  were  the  best  measures  for  the  legis- 
lature to  adopt  for  the  preservation  of  their  charter.  The 
arguments  in  vindication  of  their  charter  rights,  and  the 
instructions  to  former  agents  relative  to  them  were  so  com- 
plete, that  nothing  new  on  that  subject  could  be  added. 
The  committee  therefore,  after  a  full  examination  of  the 
letters  and  instructions  which  had  been  sent  to  former  a- 
gents,  at  different  times,  and  especially  on  the  27th  of  Oc- 
tober 1712,  reported.  That  those  were  the  best  instruc- 
tions which  could  be  given  in  this  case  :  and  that  those  in- 
structions and  documents  were  sufficient  to  support  all  the 
articles  in  the  case  of  the  colony,  a  report  of  \yhich  had 
been  printed  by  their  agent.  They  gave  it  as  their  opin- 
ion, that  those  articles  being  substantiated,  they  might 
hope  that  Connecticut  would  be  kept  out  of  the  bill.  They 
further  gave  it  as  their  opinion  that  it  would  be  advisable 


Oct,  1715. 


II  VI' 


IV 


(ONNKcnrrT. 


17I.>. 


lo  (  nrniir.iK''  •''•"  •''I?''"*  »"'!  <'»Knt?*'   J>i'n  ••>   "»•'''<•'  •'"'  '">'  Hook 
^ttciKc  in  IkIkiIIOI   ilir  ('(•loti),  ami  lo  >u|.|.l)    him  wiili 
loiK  V  Millkiont  toiiiii»wcTilKtxiraortJiinir>  rliar^cs  \vlii»  li 
ini<;hi  <Kca.sif»u. 

Tfif  (iovrniour  was  dcsirod  to  return  the  lliariks  <»r  ilu' 

^i^latll^•  lo    Mr.  Dummir,  their   aj^rnt,  lor  his    failhlul 

furr  and  ^rr-al  (Jiliti;fnce  on  all  occasions  ;  and  csprcialiy 

II  this  (ritiraj  juncture,  for  the  genenil  ro(mI  oI' this  colo- 

K,  and  in  the  defence  of  their  invaluable  privilcf^es  :  and 

encounme  him  to  employ  his  utmost  endeavors  to  save 

je  colony  out  of  the  bill   pendirig  in  the  hotise  of  coiii- 

»ons.     Tie  was  instructed  to  spare  no  cost  which  he  should 

id^e  necessary  for  that  purpose,  and  the  strongest  assur- 

ices  were  given  him,  tliat    the  colony  would  cheerfully 

fimbursc  hnn.     Mr.  Dummer  exerted  all  his  powers  in 

ffcnce  of  the  charter  governments  ;  and  by  his  plea,  on 

It  occasion,  not  only  did  singular  service  to  his  country, 

great  honor  to  himself,  both   in  Europe  and  America. 

^e  charter  was  preserved,  and  the  fears  of  the  colony  with 

ipect  to  the  loss  of  their  charter  rights,  ior  a  number  of 

lars  subsided. 

Th.'  colony  however  was  put  to  great  exjiense,  an«l 
iind   peculiar  difficulties,  at  this  time,    in  making  pay- 
ments in  England.     Governor  Saltonstall  therefore  genc- 
busly  offered  to  give  the  colony  credit  there  to  such  an 
lount  as  was  necessary.     The  Assembly  accepted  his 
)posal,  and  returned  him  thanks  for  his  generosity. 
The  colony  were  again  brought  into  great  fear  and  trou- 
le  with  respect  to  the  loss  of  their  charter  privileges,  and 
le  repealing  of  their  lawr  relative  to  all  testamentary  mat- 
|rs.    A  number  of  circumstances  united  to  awaken  their 
)ncern.     The  agreement  between  his  majesty  and  seven 
'the  Lords  proprietors  of  the  Carolinas,  that  they  should 
sign  iheir  titles  to  that  country,  and  the  jurisdiction  of  it 
his  majesty,  and  an  act  of  parliament  enabling  his  ma- 
lty to  purchase  the  lands  belonging  to  those  colonies,  and 
lablishing  the  government  between  his  majesty  and  them, 
>arly  manifested  a  desire  in  his  majesty  and  the  parlia- 
fent  to  bring  the  colonies  into  a  state  of  more  entire  de- 
fndence  on  the  croAvn  and  parliament,  and  to  have  them 
)re  immediately  under  their  government,     The  opposi- 
)n  which  the  Province  of  Massachusetts  had  made  to 
^eir  Governors,  Shute  and  Burnet,  and  the  obstinate  re- 
sal  to  vote  them  a  permanent  salary,  according  to  the  ex- 
cess requisition  of  his  majesty,  were  considered,  by  Con- 
fecticut,  as  having  an  unfriendly  aspect  upon  the  charter 
)vernments.    This  controversy  had  been  heard  by  his 


II. 


:.   •* 


64 


inSTORV  f)l' 


fnAF.  IV. 


Rook  II.  tn.'ij(''>i\  in  roiiiiril, 
could  Itc  |>l(':i(l(<(|  ill 


tlu'  lfi»«  of 
tlu!  chiir- 
ttr. 


Hi 


111(1  iil'icr  :i  i'nll  honiitig  of  i«ll  wliit  li 
ihrir  \  iiiilicalioii,  llir  coikIim  I    of  liw' 

1)rovinrr  had  Immmi  roiKlcinncd.  :unl  llic  CJovfnior.N  liml 
)«M'H  iuslilic'd.  His  rmijoly  had  been  advixd  In  lay  llif 
all'air  hoforo  the  parliament.  The  f)it>viiirf  of  Massa*  hn- 
selts  had  lost  one  charter  hefore,  and  it  was  very  much  ex- 
peeied  that  they  would  now  lose  a  seeon<l,  and  thai  ii 
wonlil  have  an  ill  eH'ect  on  the  other  coloni<s. 
ltin<<on»  Another  ground  of  fear  was  this,  that  it  had  been  pro- 
ibr  (fiiring  posed  to  the  colony  to  resign  their  charter.  In  addition  to 
these  circnmstatjces,  John  VV^inihrop,  Ivsfj.  son  of  the  la^i 
Governor  Winthro",  had  become  disatlected  towards  th«' 
government,  and  lad  made  a  voyage  to  Kngland  with 
complaints  against  ihe  colony.  He  had  conceived  the 
idea  that  his  family  had  been  injured,  and  that  his  ances- 
tors  had  not  been  rewarded  according  to  the  public  ser- 
vices which  they  had  rendered  to  the  colony.  He  imagin- 
ed that  there  were  monies  due  to  him,  which  the  colony 
did  not  consider  as  diic,  and  were  unwilling  to  pay.  He  had 
been  engaged  in  a  long  controversy  with  Thomas  Lynch- 
nierc,  Esq.  a  brother  in  law  of  his,  relative  to  their  pater- 
nal inheritance.  The  court,  of  probate,  as  he  imagined, 
had  made  an  unjust  and  illegal  settlement  of  the  estate  in 
favor  of  his  sister,  Mrs,  LyncWere  ;  he  therefore,  after  g(j- 
ing  through  a  course  of  law  in  the  courts  of  this  colony,  in 
which  he  was  unable  to  obtain  redress,  appealed  to  hi- 
majesty.  Upon  the  hearing  of  this  case,  between  the  par- 
ties in  England,  in  which  Connecticut  did  not  view  itseli 
as  particularly  concerned,  and  in  which  it  was  not  heard, 
the  law  of  the  colony  respecting  intestate  estates  was  re- 
pealed. It  was  judged  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  England, 
as  not  securing  the  lands  to  male  heirs,  and  admitting; 
daughters  to  a  share  in  the  paternal  estate,  Avhich  the  Eng- 
lish law  did  not  warrant.  These  circumstances  threw  the 
colony  into  a  state  of  great  fear  and  alarm.  They  not  on- 
ly feared  the  loss  of  their  charter,  but  that  all  former  set- 
tlements relative  to  intestate  estates  would  be  set  aside, 
and  that  not  only  families,  but  the  whole  commonwealili 
would  be  brought  into  a  state  of  great  trouble,  animosity 
and  confusion ;  and  that  the  laws  of  England  relative  to 
such  estates,  would  be  established  in  this  colony. 

By  the  answer  of  the  legislature,  and  their  mstructioii^ 
to  their  agents,  it  appears  that  they  were  in  great  fcai, 
and  almost  in  a  state  of  despondency  relative  to  tne  presei  - . 
vation  of  their  former  rights  and  privileges.  On  the  reecp- 
tion  of  a  letter  from  their  agent,  Jeremiah  Dummer,  Es(]. 
certifying,  that  a  certain  la\v  of  the  colony,  entitled  "  Aii  J 


July  Od, 
1728. 


OijIM'.   IV  . 


t  ONNKfTK  TT. 


.•;.') 


i7:;i. 


mn  to  tiic 


iari  I'orihc  sfliU'inrnl  f>f  iiiHsi.ii*' »sf.itr«..  u.i«.  niidrrnl  null  Hook  II. 
LikI  voi'l;"  ;»  >'|u<  iiil  A>»rniMy   was  (.ill«<|  iinthi  rointiiii 
trr   rliO'«'ii.  <«)ii>istiiij;   of  lh«'   (Irpuly  i;ov«Tltor.  Joiialliau 
|,:iw,  K^t|.  Iloiitr  Wolroll,  .lamcN  \Va(U\vorlli  imd  llr/.rki- 
lii  VVvll>»,   Kv|uii«'>,  l(»  ".raitli  thr  rcronis  (if  llu'  (•uiils 
ui'l  flit  N  arid  If)  liikf  out  all  MU'h  ( opifs  of  acts  and  records 
dicy  should  jiid^e  ncrr.ssary  to  transmit  to  dicir  a^»ni. 
pi'licy  wvvv.  alsf)  lo  assist  ihr  govci-nor  in  diauuhtini;  in- 
|fctructii>ii^  to  him,  both  with  nvs|HMt  to  thr  conijilaints  of 
Vlr.  Wiuthro|)  aj;ainst  the  colony,  and  irlativc  to  the  law 
I'cspcciina;  intcslatr  rslafcs. 

'I'lic  li'i^islatufc  viewed   tho  ronspqurnrrs  of  annulling 
ne  law  i-elativf  to  inl«'>lat('  esiiites  as  so  terrible,  that  thoy 
leierniiiiod   to  s|)are  no  pains  or  txpcHse  to  preverU   it. 
riioy  resolvi'd  lo  employ  another  ai^ent,  .lonadian  Hekhrr. 
Estjuire,  afterwards  (iovcnior  of  iMassachusetts,  to  assist  Jj'-^^^^^ 
gent  Dmnmer  in  his  defence  of  the  colony ,  and  in  plead-  ,^VnV(i" 
j}^  for  the  continuance  of  tho  law  respecting  intestate  es- July 'J<1, 
Ue-s.     The  agents  were  instructed  to  apply  themselves  to  ^'^'^^^ 
is  majesty  king  George  the  second,  in  behalf  of  the  cor- 
oration  of  this  colony,  praying  his  majesty,  that  the  said 
iw  might  be  continued,  in  its  full  force,  and  that  intestate 
Estates  might  be  divided  as  had  been  usual,  for  a  long  coursf? 
f  years  :  that  it  had  been  allowed  in  all  prcccdint^-  reigns 
fiom  the  first  settlement  of  ti'o  colony  :  That  in  this  coun-  Urason* 
ry  it  was  reasonable  and  useful,  tending  to  a  more  gene-  for  contm- 
i"al  settlement  of  the  rnni'try:  That  the  abrogation  of  it"'"K 
Ivould  lie  an  occtsionot  numerous  law  suits,  oi  great  ex- reiati\o  t« 
pense  to  individuals  and  to  the  colony  ;  would  disturb  the  intestate 
hcace  of  families,  in  many  instances  do  injustice,  and  injure  cBtatcs, 
Ik;  general  peace  and  gootl  order  of  the  colony  :  and  that 
|he  contimuince  of  it  would  tend  to  its  general   growth, 
)eace  and  welfare.     But  notwithstanding  ihc  exertions  of 
lie   legislature  and  the  agents,  the  aspect  of  aftairs  be- 
anie still  more  unfavourable.     The  Assembly  the  next 
[ear  were  si  ill  more  alarmed  with  respect  to  the  loss  of 
i(ir  charter,  and  appear  to  have  been  neaii^,  in  a  state  of 
lespondency  with  respect   to  his  majesty's  continuing  the 


iw  relalnig  to  infestafe  estates. 


T.'eCiovi  inor  was  desired,  in  the  name  of  the  General  Oct.  9tfi, 

Lsseii  bly,  to  write  to  the  agenis  Diinuner  and  Belcher,  that  ^'^'-9. 

ley  were  unwilling  to  sun eiidor  their  charter:  for  the v  I"     .'^".l 

•^  1  •     1        1   '^  .•  1     •    •   1      •  11*'  <'on'  to  the 

lecounlcd  It  ilie  choicest  part  ol  their  inheritance,  and  that^gciij. 

hey  should  not  upon  any  terms  be  persuaded  to  part  with 
|t ;  and  that  they  would  therefore  avoid  all  occasion  of  haz- 

irding  it.  He  was  particularly  to  represent  to  them,  that 
Ihey  w  ere  greatly  coucerned  respecting  the  conduct  of  the 


i 


I 


5& 


niSTOKV  OK 


Chai'.  IV* 


! 


I 


Book  II.  A^scmMy  ol"  Massarhnsotts,  fcariii;^  llial  ii  would  have  an 
'^^^/■"n^  ill  mlJiiciicooM  their  atViiirs  if  it  should  he  Itroughl  into  the 
I7'2f>.  I'arliamciit.  Thcroforr  to  iii'^fnicl  tlic  agents  to  usr  their 
utmost  caution  that  theyshoiiid  not  ho,  in  thcleast  degree, 
involved  with  the  Massachusetts,  when  their  attiiirs  shouhl 
lie  hrought  into  parliament.  The  Governor  was  further 
to  instruct  the  agents,  thai  if  upon  mature  considei-ation 
they  should  judge  that  the  charter  Avouldbc  endangered  hy 
their  going  into  parliament,  that  then  they  should  suspend 
the  ali'air  for  the  present,  and  until  tiiey  should  have  fur- 
ther instructions  from  the  Assembly.  But  if  the  agent'' 
should  he  of  the  opinion,  that  the  colony  might  with  safety 
petition  the  f)arliamcnt  to  continue  their  ancient  law,  that 
then  they  sliould  pray  for  the  same  :  or  if  they  should  judge 
iliat  the  parliament  would  be  more  easily  induced  to  enact 
(hat  the  descent  of  their  lands  should  be  to  the  sons  only  ; 
to  the  eldest  a  double  poition,  and  to  the  younger  single 
shares,  then  that  this  should  be  matter  of  the  petition.  But 
ii"  nothing  further  could  be  obtained  than  a  confirmation  of 
v.hat  th(>ir  courts  of  probate  htid  already  done,  that  they 
^houiil  |)ray  for  that  only.  This  they  judged  must  be  left 
to  the  fidelity  and  prudence  of  their  agents.* 

Theagcntsconducted  thcaflairs  of  the  colony  with  such 
wisdom  and  success  that  the  charter  was  preserved  and  the 
<olony  were  allowed  to  proceed  in  their  former  pi~actice 
with  respect  to  intestate  estates.  The  agents  were  the 
next  year  both  dismissed  from  the  service  of  the  colony. 
Mr.  Dummer  was  dismissed  on  account  of  his  ill  state  of 
health,  which  obliged  him  to  retire  into  the  country.  The 
(  olony  returned  him  their  thanks,  for  his  many  good  ser- 
vices. Mr.  Belcher,  on  the  deathof  governor  Burnet,  was 
ap|)ointed  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  and  arrived  at 
Boston,  the  seat  of  his  government,  the  beginning  of  Au- 
gust 1730. 

At  the  session  of  the  Assembly  in  May  1730,  it  was  ex- 
pected that  governor  Belcher  would  assume  his  govcriunent 
before  the  session  of  the  next  y\s5embly,  and  Roger  Wol- 
(ottand  James  Wadsworth,  Escjuircs,  were  appointed  a 
( onuuiltee  to  wait  on  his  Excellency  on  the  first  notice  of 
his  arrival  at  Boston,  and  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the 
Assembly,  to  congratulate  him  on  his  safe  arrival  at  his 
seat  of  government ;  and  to  render  the  thanks  of  the  Assem- 
bly to  him,  for  his  great  care  and  pains  in  his  agency  in 
behalf  of  the  colony.  They  were  also  particularly  to  en- 
tjuire  of  him  relative  to  the  state  of  their  aiFairs  at  the  court 
of  Great  Britain. 

■  Records  pf  the  Colony,  volume  v.  under  the  years  172!}  and  1729. 


Mi.y  I'.W. 


.■T. 


Chap.  V. 


CONNECTICUT. 


«t 


At  the  session  in  October,  Francis  Wilkes,  Esq.  of  flic  Book  If. 
city  of  London,  was  appointed  agent  for  the  colony. 

The  favourable  turn  which  then-  affairs  had  takeii  in  the 
court  of  Great  Britain,  relieved  the  general  anxiety  rela- 
tive to  the  charter,  and  the  dividing  of  inheritances,  and 
jravc  peace  and  joy  to  the  people.      , 


»"^  '■■} 


I- . 


'I. 


CHAPTER  V. 


\12n  and  ITiO. 


War  7oilh  the  Eastern  Indians.  Attempts  to  quiet  them  hif 
treaty.  The  attack  and  plunder  of  Canso.  A  treaty  with 
them  is  promised,  but  prevented  by  the  measures  of  the 
hoiKC.  Letter  of  the  Indians  to  the  governor.  Death  of 
Toxus.  A  new  Sachem,  and  change  of  affairs.  Attempt 
on  Norridgexoock.  The  Indians  revenge  the  insult,  cap- 
tivate a  number  of  the  English  and  burn  Brunstoick.  War 
is  proclaimed  against  them.  Governors  Shute  and  Bur- 
net apply  to  Connecticut  for  assistance  in  the  war.  The 
enemy  surprise  Canso  and  other  harbors,  and  take  a  num- 
ber of  fishing  vessels.  Elliot'' s  and  Robinson's  success  in 
attacking  them.  Remarkable  deliverance  of  the  captives. 
Attack  on  Arowsick  Island.  Westbrook'*s  and  Harman's 
expedition*  Attempts  of  the  English  to  engage  the  six  na- 
tions in  the  roar  against  the  Eastern  Indians.  They  send 
delegates  to  Boston.  Coleby^s  action  with  the  enemy. 
Attack  on  Scarborough,  Falmouth  and  other  places.  Reso- 
lutions of  the  legislature  of  Connecticut  relative  to  the  war. 
Men  killed  in  various  places.  Captain  Winslow  and  his 
men  killed,  shallops  and  schooner  taken.  The  English 
take  and  destroy  Norridgewock,  jiumhers  of  men  sur- 
prised and  killed  in  various  places.  Application  is  made 
again  to  Connecticut  for  assistance.  The  reasons  why  the 
legislature  would  not  join  in  offensive  war.  Captain  Lov- 
elies fight.     Peace  is  made.     Observations. 

THOUGH  a  profonnd  peace  had  been  settled  between  Difficul- 
the  two  cix)wns  of  Great  Britain  and  France,  and  itl'^*!"'*.'' 
was  hoped  that  in  consequence  of  it  there  would  have  been  an,, 
a  long  peace  between  the  Indians  and  the  English  colo- 
nies, yet  within  a  few  years,  there  appeared  to  be  consid- 
erable uneasiness  and  complaints  among  the  Eastern  In- 
dians.    They  had  always  been  under  French  influence, 
and  by  them  instigated  to  war  against  the  English.     Es|)e'- 

H 


*8 


HISTORY  OF 


CnAr.  V, 


r»ooK  II.  i  ially,  fiithcr  Rallc,  a  French  jpsuit,  who  was  minisfor  to* 
'<^'x^>*m/  the  liulians  at  Norritlgowock,  where  he  had  gathered  a 
fhurch,  had  great  influence  over  them,  and  constantly  em- 
filoycd  it  in  making  them  discontented,  and  in  stirring 
thetn  up  to  insuk  and  annoy  the  Efiglish  settlers.  He  was 
:i  man  of  great  art  and"  intrigue,  and  insinuated  to  the  In- 
»Iians  in  that  part  of  the  country,  that  the  English  had  en- 
croached on  their  lands  ;  that  they  had  obtained  them  un- 
lustly  ;  that  the  English  traders  among  them,  defrauded 
(li^m,  and  that  by  vending  strong  liquors  among  them  t.'iey 
debauched  their  morals,  and  prevented  the  good  work  he 
was  carrying  on  among  them.  It  waa  therefore  judged  ex- 
pedient to  treat  with  them  to  remove  all  matters  of  uneasi- 
ness, and  to  conciliate  and  confirm  their  friendship  with 
I  he  Ei>^lish.  it  was  designed  also,  if  possible,  to  draw 
I  hem  oil' from  the  Roman  catholic  to  the  protestant  rcli- 
'j;ion.  For  these  purposes,  governor  Shute,  the  summer 
lifter  his  arrival  at  the  seat  of  government,  in  Massachu- 
setts, met  the  Indians  at  Arowsick  Island,  accompanied 
by  a  number  of  the  council  of  Massaehusetts  and  New - 
Hampshire,  and  other  gentlemen. 
ffCT\U  The  governor  opened  the  conference  by  presenting  the 

Mill)  them,  Indians  with  a  bible  in  English  and  Indian.  He  acquaint- 
ed them  that  this  contained  the  religion  of  the  English- 
He  recommended  to  them  Mr.  Baxter,  a  minister,  who 
went  with  them  as  a  missionary,  Avho,  he  represented  M 
them,  Avould  explain  the  bible  and  instruct  them  in  the 
principles  and  duties  of  religion.  They  readily  replied, 
"  That  they  loved  their  own  ministers,  and  as  to  the  bible 
iliey  wished  to  be  excused  from  keeping  it :  That  God  had 
j;iven  them  teaching,  and  that  if  they  should  go  from  that 
they  should  displease  God." 

The  Governor  then  proceeded  to  hear  their  complaints. 
They  complained  of  encroachments  upon  their  lands,  and 
that  so  many  forts  were  built.  They  alledged  that,  in  a- 
treaty  at  Canso,  (h^y  tmderstood  that  no  more  forts  should 
be  erected.  They  said  they  should  be  pleased  with  king^ 
ficorge  if  no  forts  were  built  in  the  Eastern  country. 
They  acknowledged  the  title  of  the  English  to  the  lands  on 
fhc  west  side  of  Ketmel^eck  rivei*;  but  said  they  weresurr? 
that  they  had  sold  nothing  on  the  east  side  of  it.  The 
<  Joveriior  produced  one  of  the  original  deeds  giveti  bf 
their  sachems.  He  assured  them  that  the  English  would 
not  part  With  an  inch  of  Imd  which  belonged  to  them. 

The  Indians  were  so  offended  at  this  that  they  rose  im- 
mediately, went  to  their  canoes,  apparently  with  great 
lescntmeut,  and  passed  to  their  hchd  qtiarters  upon  another 


>Vir;ust 
1717. 


Chap.  V. 


CONNECTICl^T. 


a 


islrind.  They  Icfi  behind  them  an  English  (lag,  which  the  Book  SI. 
Governor  had  given  them.  In  the  eveni/ig  several  of' 
them  returned,  with  a  letter  from  Ilalio  io  thf  Oo  crnor,  17; 
acquainting  him  that  the  French  king  did  not  allow  thai  i;t 
any  treaty  he  had  given  away  the  lands  of  the  Indians  to 
the  English,  and  thbt  he  would  protect  the  Indians  against 
the  English  encroachments.  The  Governor  acquainted 
them  that  he  highly  resented  the  insolence  of  the  Jesuit  in 
intermeddling  in  the  business.  The  Governor  concluded 
that  the  treaty  was  at  ao  end,  and  determined  to  return  i  « 
the  morning.  But  the  old  men  were  afraid  of  war.  They 
were  unwilling  to  leave  their  villages  and  accommodations 
at  Norridgewock  and  Penobscot,  ajid  encamp  in  the  woods  j 
or  Avhat  was  worse,  depend  on  the  French,  whq,  when  it 
would  serve  their  interest,  would  flatter  and  cajole  them  ; 
but  they  said,  treated  them  as  dogs,  when  they  had  no  im- 
mediate occasion  for  their  services.  These  considerations 
induced  them  in  the  morning  to  send  two  messengers  to 
the  Governor,  acknowledging  that  they  had  been  rude  ami 
unnrnnrrly  in  their  yesterday's  conference,  and  earnest- 
ly i  .'.ng  to  see  him  again.  He  assured  them  that  ho 
wot:'!  •":  them  upOi«  no  other  terms  than  their  renouncing 
their  pretentions  to  the  lands  which  belonged  to  the  Eng- 
lish. The  messengers  promised  that  this  should  be  done ; 
and  in  evidence  of  their  desii-es  to  treat,  expressed  their 
wishes  that  the  English  colours  which  they  had  slighted 
might  be  returned.  The  Indians  came  again  to  the  trea- 
ty, chose  a  new  speaker,  and  expressed  their  willingness 
that  the  English  should  settle  where  their  predecessors 
had.  They  confessed  that  some  of  their  inconsiderate 
young  men  had  violated  the  treaty  made  at  Portsmouth  in 
1713.  But  they  said  they  desired  to  live  in  peace,  and 
to  be  supplied  with  such  articles  in  trade,  as  were  neces- 
sary and  convenient  for  them.  The  governor  assured 
them,  that  as  the  English  would  not  part  with  their  land, 
so  they  would  not  take  any  of  the  Indians'  lands :  That 
the  forts  were  not  built  for  their  injury,  but  for  the  protec- 
tion both  of  the  English  and  themselves :  They  r-enewcJ 
the  treaty  of  1713,  and  the  conference  ended. 

Notwithstanding  this  renewal  of  the  former  treaty,  the 
Indians  were  not  quiet,  but  often  insulting  and  menacing 
the  inhabitants  of  tne  Eastern  frontiers.  They  kept  tho 
frontiers  in  such  a  state  of  fear  and  alarm,  that  very  little 
progress  had  been  made  in  their  settlement  for  about  seven 
years  after  the  general  pacification.  Within  about  three 
years  after  the  renewal  of  the  treaty  at  Arowsick,  the  na- 
Jives  bec?ime  so  troublesome,  that  most  of  the  frontier  sgi- 


CO 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  V, 


Canso  »ur- 
pi  ised, 
Aug.  7th, 
1720, 


Book  11.  tlcniei^'s  whit  h  had  been  made  after  ihe  peace,  were  dc- 
\^-^r'>^  scried,  and  a  new  war  with  them  was  daily  expected.  The 
1717.  govenior  was  for  pacitic  measures.  He  wished  that  prcs- 
ents  might  be  made  them,  and  that  trading  houses  might 
be  erected  to  supply  them  with  all  such  things  as  were 
necessary  and  convenient.  But  such  were  the  contentions 
between  him  and  the  house  of  representatives,  that  they 
prevented  the  measures  which  might  otherwise  have  been 
adopted  for  the  peace  of  the  country.  The  house  were 
so  overheated  with  their  controversy  with  him.  that  they 
seem  to  have  done  nothing  coolly  ;  but  thoy  obstinately 
tinvarted  hifii  in  all  his  measures,  however  wise  and  pa- 
cific. The  Indians  therefore,  under  the  influence  of  the 
French,  and  the  frauds  and  impositions  of  the  private 
English  traders,  became  more  ancl  more  exasperated,  inson 
lent  and  darinff. 

A  party  of  tnem  in  1720  fell  upon  Canso,  within  the  pro- 
vince of  Nova -Scotia,  and  killed  three  or  four  of  the  in- 
habitants, and  plundered  lue  settlement.  They  surprised 
the  English  in  their  beds  and  stripped  them  of  eyery  thing 
they  could  find,  A  number  of  Frenchmen,  from  Cape 
Breton,  were  in  confederacy  with  them.  They  claimed 
the  lands,  and  said  they  would  carry  oflf  whatever  they 
found  upon  them.  The  Frencluiaen  came  the  next  night 
in  their  vessels  and  carried  off  the  plunder.  Among  other 
articles,  they  carried  off  about  two  thousand  quintals  of 
fish,  A  sloop  arriving  the  next  day,  the  Captain  offered' 
his  service  to  pursue  them  and  make  reprisals.  He  wa^f 
soon  furnished  with  men  ar\d  with  two  or  three  small  ves- 
sels. They  overtook  the  French,  and  brought  in  six  or 
seven  small  vessels  which  all  had  English  property  on 
board.  But  the  English  were  supposed  to  sustain  a  loss 
of  twenty  thousand  pounds  in  the  currency  of  that  day, 
which  was  nearly  as  good  as  lawful  money,  Canso,  in 
the  summer  was  peopled  in  a  great  meosure  from  Massa- 
chusetts, so  that  much  of  the  dan^age  was  done  to  them. 
Compraints  were  made  to  the  French  governor  at  Louis- 
burg  ;  but  he  excused  himself  from  internieddling  with  In- 
dian affairs.  He  alledged  that  they  were  not  Fii-ench  sub- 
jects, and  no  redress  could  be  pbtained^ 

The  surprising  of  Canso  alarmed  the  people  in  the  Eas- 
tern part  of  Massachusetts,  and  Coioiiel  Wanton  was  dis- 
patched with  0  party  of  splaiers  for  the  defence  of  that 
part  of  the  couatry,  But  the  Indians  continued  their  in- 
sults, killing  the  cattle  of  the  inhabitants,  and  threatening 
the  lives  of  the  owners.  But  as  the  governor  was  yet,  if 
nossiblcj  for   prcscrv^ig  the   peace  of  the  country,  hcj. 


Chap.  V, 


Chap.  V. 


CONNECTICUT. 


r.i 


,  were  ele- 
cted. The 

that  pros- 
ises  might 
s  as  were 
ontentions 
,  that  they 
have  been 
louse  were 

that  they 
[)bstinatcly 
ise  and  pa- 
ince  of  the 
he  private 
-uted,  inso-^ 

lin  the  pro- 
'  of  the  in- 
y  surprised 
eyery  thing 
From  Cape 
ey  claimed 
itever  they 
next  night 
mong  other 
quintals  of 
Lain  offered ' 
He  wa^f 
small  ves- 
it  in  six  or 
roperty  on 
stain  a  loss 
that  day, 
C£inso,  in 
om  Massa- 
le  to  them, 
at  Louis- 
ng  with  In- 
i^ench  sub- 
in  the  Eas- 
n  was  dis- 
ice  of  that 
^d  their  in- 
hreatcning 
kvas  yet,  if 
juntry,  he^ 


i< 


with  the  advice  of  his  council,  gave  oitJers  to  Colonrl  Book  II. 
Wanton  to  acquaint  the  Indians  that  commissioners  should  s^-n/^'^/ 
be  appointed  to  treat  with  them.     The  Indians  appeared    17'J0. 
pleased  with  thepro|)osal  of  a  treaty,  and  agreed  to  attend. 
Hut  before  llie  lime  appointed  for  the  treaty,  the  General 
Coiu't  were  convoke!.     The  house,  when  they  canu-  to- 
gether, resolved,  that  an  hundred  and  fifty  men,  willi  suita- 
ble ofticers,  should  forthwith  be  ordered  to  march  to  Nor- 
ridgcwock,  and  compel  the  Indions  who  should  be  there, 
or  m  those  parts,  to  make  full  satisfaction  to  the  English 
for  the  damages  which  they  had  done,  by  killing  their 
swine  and  sheep,  or  by  stealing  provisions  and  cloliiing, 
or  by    injuries  which    they  had    otherwise   done  them. 
They  also  resolved  that  the  sheriff  of  the  county  of  York 
should  liave  a  warrant  for  seizing  Ralle,  the  Jesuit,  and 
bring  him  to  Boston.     If  he  could  not  be  found,  the  Indians 
were  to  be  commanded  to  bring  him  in,  and  resign  him  to 
the  sheriff.     If  the  Indians  should  refuse  a  coi  ipliance  witik 
these  demands,  the  commanding  officer  was  directed  to 
take  the  most  effectual  measures  to  apprehend  the  Indians 
who  should  refuse  and  bring  them  to  Boston. 

Governor  Shute  considered  this,  in  effect,  a  declaration 
of  war,  and  an  invasion  of  his  prerogative  as  commander 
in  chief,  and  as  a  measure  which  would  prevent  the  treaty 
on  which  he  had  agreed  with  the  Indians.  He  foresaw 
that  a  new  war  would  certainly  be  the  consequence.  He 
was  therefore  totally  opposed  to  the  resolution.  The 
council  also,  as  they  wished  for  peace,  refused  to  concur 
with  thfc  house. 

This  conduct  of  the  house  prevented  the  treaty.  TIjc 
Indiana  contini^ed  their  ipsults,  but  yet  there  was  no  open 

war.         .ii«.,fl-.«^l>i,<,;       .^:,;,,.;;<'.^.i 

The  next  year  about  two  hundred  Indians,  witl.  two  j^"?- *'-' • 
French  Jesuits,  under  French  colors,  ca..  -)  to  Georgetown,  t^g  q^^." 
on  Arowsick   Island,  and  left  a  letter  for  the  governor,  emor. 
containiLg  heavy  charges  against  the  English.     It  com- 
plained of  them  for  unjustly  invading  their  property,  and 
taking  away  from  them  the  country  which  God  had  given 
them.    Mr.  Ralle,  their  spiritual  father,  was  their  patron 
also  in  these  affairs.     But  either  from  a  consciousness  that 
they  had  conveyed  the  lands  to  the  English,  or  from  a  de- 
sire of  peace,  perhaps  under  the  influence  of  both,  they 
seemed  averse  to  war.     But  through  the  influence  of  Mr. 
Ralle  and  other  Frenchmen,  thev  ww-ld  seem  at  turns  to 
^  :  filled  with  a  high  degree  of  resentment ;  and  would  ap- 
pear on  the  very  point  of  waging  war,  and  yet  they  would 
;^ool  down  agaiq  and  seem  a§  though  they  would  be  quiet. 


«i 


!lISTORY  OF 


fe'HAP.  V. 


tenipt 
«xcite  .  c 
Irxliuns  to 
war. 


Book  II.  Tn  this  state  of  aiTairs,  Toxus,  sachem  of  the  Norridgc- 
^^'^^'^  weeks,  died.  The  old  men  who  were  averse  to  the  war, 
1721.  pitched  upon  Ouikonirouinenit,  to  supply  his  place,  who 
iiiul  always  been  of  the  pacific  party.  In  consequence  of 
this  choice  and  the  intlucncc  of  the  old  men,  hostages  were 
sent  to  Boston,  as  sureties  for  their  gootl  behaviour  and  for 
the  payment  of  the  damages  which  the  Indians  had  done. 
Nothing  could  have  been  more  disagreeable  to  father 
Pille  than  these  measures,  ile  immediately  wrote  letters 
to  the  governor  of  Canada,  acquainting  him  with  the  disa- 
greeable measures  adopted  by  the  Norridgewocks.  The 
governor  was  alarmed  at  these  proceedings  of  thd  Indians 
at  Norridgcwock,  and  with  father  Ralle  spared  no  pains 
to  rouse  them  to  war.  Vaudreuille  disapproved  of  the 
choice  which  they  had  made  of  their  sachem,  and  of  their 
sending  hostages  to  the  English.  He  represented  that 
they  had  betrayed  the  interest  of  their  tribe,  and  that  the 
4  nost  care  should  be  'taken  to  prevent  so  great  a  misfor- 
tune as  the  submission  of  the  Norridgewocks  to  the  Eng- 
lish. He  went  immediately,  on  the  reception  of  the  news 
of  the  change  among  the  Norridgewocks,  for  Montreal, 
St.  Francois  and  Besancour,  and  prevailed  with  the  In- 
dians in  those  several  places  vigorously  to  support  their 
brethren  at  Norridgewock,  and  to  send  messengers  to  let 
the  English  know,  that  if  they  continued  their  injuries, 
they  should  not  have  to  cont^d  with  the  Norridgewock? 
alone.  He  and  the  intendant  wrote  a  letter  to  father  Le 
Chase,  a  Jesuit,  to  take  a  journey  to  Norridgewock,  and 
Penobscot,  to  engage  the  Indians  in  those  parts  to  be  firm, 
and  to  support  the  cause  in  which  they  were  engaged. 
They  gave  notice  that  it  was  determined  to  supply  them 
with  ammunition.*  Massachusetts  made  heavy  com- 
plaints of  the  French  governor  for  instigating  the  Indians 
to  war  in  a  time  of  profound  peace,  between  the  tlvo 
•crowns,  and  for  supporting  them  in  their  warfare.  But 
he  was  able  to  justify  himself  to  his  master. 

Ralle  was  considered  by  the  English  as  an  infamous  viU 
lain.  His  intrepid  courage,  his  fervent  zeal  for  the 
Roman  Catholic  religion,  and  for  the  interests  of  his  s;6ve- 
reign,  were  the  principal  causes  of  the  prejudices  of  the  In- 
dians. He  contemned  and  often  insulted  the  English.  The 
French  governor  Vaudreuille,  and  Charlevoix,  the  French 
liistorian,  seem  to  suppose,  that  the  English  settlers  were 
mere  intruders,  and  that  the  English  nation  were  guilty  of 
great  injustice  in  dispossessing  the  aborigines  of  their 
country.  But  in  this  they  were  under  a  great  mistake, 
*  Gov,  Hutchinson,  U  vol.  p.  262,  p3.       ■  *=-  •*> --^  •  -  -  -  • 


UHAP. 


V. 


CONNECTICUT. 


^3 


The  first  settlers  of  Plymoutli  and  Ma.ssachur,pfls  made  Book  II. 
(  oiisciencc  of  paying  the  Indians  to  their  satisfaction   for  s^^^^-^^ 
all  parts  of  the  tenitory  which  they  settled,  nnless  it  were    i721. 
,uch  ai  had  been  depopulated,  deserted  and  left  without 
a  claimer. 

The  English  charged  the  Indians  with  perfidy  and 
breach  of  the  most  solemn  cnqagemenls.  The  Jesuit  de- 
nied il  and  justified  the  Indians.  lie  pretended  that  the 
Indians  had  been  under  duress  in  their  treaties,  and  that 
the  barguins  made  with  them  for  their  lands  were  unjust. 

In  this  state  of  afiairs  the  General  Court  came  together,  Ams"**  23- 
and  resolved  that  three  hundred  men  should  be  sent  to  the 
head-quarters  of  the  Indians,  and  that  proclamation  should 
be  made,  commanding  them,  on  pain  of  being  prosecuted 
with  the  utmost  severity,  to  deliver  up  the  Jesuits  and  the 
other  heads  and  fomenters  of  their  rebellion,  and  to  make 
satisfaction  for  the  damage  they  had  done  :  and  that  if  they 
refused  to  comply,  as  many  of  their  principal  men  as  the 
commanding  officer  shoiild  judge  necessary,  should  be 
seized,  together  with  Ralle,  or  any  other  Jesuit,  and  sent 
to  Boston ;  and  that  if  any  opr>osition  should  be  made, 
force  should  be  opposed  to  fo-  The  council  concurred, 
and  the  governor  was  persuaded  to  give  his  consent.  Judge 
Scwall  scrupled  the  lawfulness  of  the  resolution,  aad  en- 
tered his  protest  against  it. 

The  governor,  though  he  had  consented  to  the  reso'  - 
tion,  yet  as  the  hostages  were  still  in  the  hands  of  the 
gislature,  and  as  he  wished  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the 
country,  gave  no  orders  for  raising  the  men.  But  the 
hostages  eot  long  after  making  their  escape  from  the  cas- 
tle where  they  had  been  kept,  he  considered  war  then  as 
inevitable,  and  gave  orders  for  raising  the  men.  The 
hostages  were  taken  and  sent  back,  ana  the  orders  wen^ 
countermand'  ».  The  governor  had  promised  the  Indians 
that  trading  houses  should  be  erected,  that  smiths  and  r.r- 
mourers  should  be  sent  down  at  the  expense  of  the  pro- 
vince, and  tl;^t  they  should  be  supplied  with  clothes,  pro- 
visions and  othe"  necessary  articles,  in  exchange  for  their 
furs  and  skins.  Though  this  seems  to  have  been  a  pacific 
and  judicious  measure,  yet  as  the  house  would  not  approve 
©f  it,  and  the  general  court,  on  whom  he  depended  to  ena- 
ble him  to  fulfil  his  engagements,  w^ould  not  assist  him, 
nothing  of  that  nature  could  be  done. 

When  the  General  Court  met  again  in  November,  the  G^nerai 
house  expressed  their  dissatisfaction,  that  the  governor  ^q"'V7:2i 
had  not  carried  into  execution,  the  resolution  of  the  whole 
<%\TVt,  with  respect  to  th^  I|idians,  and  resolved,  That  the; 


C'( 


HISTORY  OK 


Chap.  V. 


I'ri-r.fifri 
tiiki-ti  at 
Merry 
AIk  tinif 


FJooK  II.  fjovornmrnt  had  suflTicicnt  reason  for  f/i'osccuting  them  for 
their  many  breaches  of  covenant.  The  council,  after  sonn- 
explanations  of  the  resolution,  concurred.  The  consc- 
(Mieiice  was  the  sending  of  a  party  of  men  to  Norridgewock. 
The  Indians  it  seems,  had  been  apprised  of  their  coming. 
an»l  had  taken  care  of  their  sniritual  father,  and  tied  Avidi 
him  info  the  woo(is.  No  Imlians  were  to  be  found,  and 
the  ])ai'ty  eflccled  nothing  more  tlian  plundering  father 
Ralle  of  a  number  of  his  books  and  papers. 

'J'his  insult  on  one  of  the  chief  towns  of  the  Indians,  and 
tfie  plundering  of  their  beloved  father  Rallc,  they  did  not 
sullcr  to  remain  long  unrevenged.  They  did  no  mischief 
for  several  months,  but  were  meditating  revenge,  and  pre- 
jKiring  to  give  the  blow.  The  next  year,  they  went  with 
about  sixty  men  in  twenty  canoes  into  Mcny  Meeting 
Bay,  and  look  nine  families  prisoners ;  but  they  left  no 
l!:ty.  Jnnf  marks  of  their  usual  rage  and  bar))arity.  Some  of  the 
^'^''-  prisoners  they  released  immediately  and  others  soon  aftei-. 
I'hcy  were  careful  however  to  retain  a  sulficient  number 
to  make  sure  the  return  of  their  hostages. 

Another  party  made  an  attack  upon  a  fishing  vessel  from 
Ipswich,  as  she  lay  in  one  of  the  Eastern  harbours  ;  but 
tis  the  fishermen  were  armed,  they  defended  themselves. 
They  killed  two  or  three  of  the  party,  and  the  rest  re- 
treated. 

About  the  same  time  the  collector  of  the  customs  at  An- 
napolis Royal,  Mr.  Newton,  with  John  Adams,  son  to  one 
of  the  council  for  Nova-Scolia,  as  they  were  going  thence 
w  ith  Captain  Blin,  went  ashore  at  one  of  the  Passimaquo- 
dies,  and  were  all  taken  prisoners,  with  a  number  of  other 
passengers,  by  a  party  of  French  and  Indians.  The  peo- 
f)le  who  were  left  on  boaixl  the  sloop  cut  the  cables  and 
made  their  escape  to  Boston. 

Another  party  of  Indians  burned  a  sloop  at  St.  Georges 
rivir.  They  took  a  number  of  prisoners,  and  attempted 
to  surprise  the  fort. 

Intelligence  of  these  hostilities  came  to  Boston  while  the 
General  Court  were  in  session ;  but  instead  of  that  rage 
for  war  which  had  so  remarkably  appeared  in  the  house 
before,  under  far  less  provocations,  nothing  more  was 
proposed  than  sending  the  hostages,  which  the  Indians 
had  given,  back  to  the  Eastward,  to  be  set  at  liberty  upon 
the  restoration  of  the  English  captives  ;  and  sending  a 
message  to  the  Norridgewocks,  demanding  the  reasons  of 
their  conduct,  the  restoration  of  captives  and  satisfaction 
for  damages. 
The  friends  of  the  English,  who  had  been  captivated. 


Chap.  V. 


CONNECTICUT*. 


66 


wrn-  importunate  with  the  government   to  take  effectual  Book  IL 
mrasurcs  for  their  rostoi-dtion.     With  a  view  to  this,  it  is  ^^rw^,^ 
nrohablc  that  a  declaration  of  war  was   so  h)n(;  delayed,     n'2'2* 
While  the  General  Court  were  sitiinfi;,  or  swin  after,  the 
Indians  burnt  Brunswick;  a  village  between  Casco  buy  and 
Keniiebeck.     Captain  Harniun,  who  was  posted  on  the 
frontiers,  with  part  of  bis  forces  pursued  them,  killed  a 
number,  and  took  fifteen  of  their  guns.     On  the  arrival  of  r)«flarB- 
this  news  at  Boston,  the  governor  immediatelv,  by  the  ad-  j^'"  '^|][|'"" 
viccof  his  council,  published  a  declaration  of  war.  n-lj.     * 

The  General  Court  had  been  prorogued  until  August.  Aug,  8tb. 
When  it  came  together  the  governor  represented  the  ne- 
cessity of  laying  asi'!e  all  animosities,  private  piques  and 
self  interest,  that  tiiere  mi^ht  be  an  unanimous  and  vigo- 
rous prosecution  of  the  weighty  affairs  which  were  before 
them.  He  particularly  remarked,  that  he  feared  if  his 
hands  and  the  council's  were  not  left  at  greater  liberty" 
than  they  had  lately  been,  affairs  would  be  carried  on  ?;ith 
little  or  no  spirit.  The  house  approved  of  the  governor's 
proclamation  of  war,  and  promised  all  necessary  and 
cheerful  assistance.  It  was  determined  that  three  hun- 
dred men  should  be  selected  and  sent  on  an  expedition  to 
Penobscot,  and  that  the  rest  of  the  troops  should  be  sta- 
tioned at  different  posts  on  the  frontiers.  But  notwith- 
standing the  arrangements  which  had  been  made,  the  ene- 
my found  means  to  surprise  several  parts  of  the  country 
arid  to  do  much  damage. 

The  neighboring  Indians,  especially  the  old  men  among 
the  Norridgewocks,  were  opposed  to  the  war;  the  Pe- 
nobscots  were  still  more  so  ;  and  even  after  it  commenced, 
expressed  their  desires  of  an  accommodation.  But,  as 
has  been  observed,  Ralle  and  the  French  urged  them  to 
it,  and  with  difficultv  persuaded  them  to  engage.  The  In- 
dians at  St.  Francois,  on  the  borders  of  Canada,  the  St. 
Johns  and  the  Cape  Sable  Indians,  bein^  at  a  greater  dis- 
t&ince,  did  not  fear  the  destruction  of  their  villages.  They 
therefore,  under  the  influence  of  the  French,  were  fierce 
for  war;  and  joining  with  the  Norridgewocks  and  Penob- 
scots,  made  the  war  general. 

In  July  thev  surprised  Canso,  and  other  harbors  in  the  July, 
vicinity,  and  took  about  seventeen  fishing  vessels,  belong- 
ing to  Massachusetts.  Governor  Phillips,  whc  "vas  occa- 
sionally there,  caused  two  sloops  to  be  manned,  partly 
with  volunteer  sailors,  from  merchant  vessels  which  were 
there  loading  with  fish,  and  sent  them,  under  the  command 
of  John  Elliot  of  Boston,  and  John  Robinson  of  Cape 
Ann,  in  quest  of  the  enemy.    As  Elliot  was  ranging  the 


OS 


FlISTORY  01^ 


Hook  If.  Mtn^l.  hr  discovncd 


inn«'|)au|;;;  on  w 


hir 


il 22,     '*""■  '"'   ''^•'  ^"*'  '"'" 


Chap.  V. 

Is  in  the  harVior  railed 
ilfd  all  his  mm  oxf  rpi 
jc  towards  tlicm.     Whrn  he  (anjf 


seven  vrssr 
h.  hr  ronr» 


nea 


r  one"  of  the  vessels,  wliirh  had  about  forty  Indians  on 


, mother  prize,  roared 

out,  strike,  Kntjiish  dof^s  and  come  aboard,  tor  you  are  all 
prisoners,  idliot  answered,  I  will  make  all  the  haste  1 
can.  The  Indians  pert  civing  tha^  they  made  no  altempi'* 
toeseape,  soon  began  to  suspect  a  surprise,  and  cut  their 
<;d)lc  with  a  design  to  run  ashore  and  make  tl>eir  escape. 
Jillliot  immeiliately  boartling  them  prevenfefl  their  pur- 
pose, and  after  a  brave  resifttance,  for  about  half  an  hour, 
iliey  began  t(^  leap  into  the  hold  for  safety.  Here  the  hand 
grenades  which  Ellioi  threw  among  them,  made  such  des- 
truction, thai  those  who  were  not  killed,  leaped  into  the 
water,  where  they  were  a  fair  mark  for  the  English.  Vi\n 
only  of  the  whole  number  made  their  escape.  Seven  ves- 
sels, with  several  hundred  quintals  of  lish,  and  fifteen  cap- 
tives, were  recovered  from  ihe  enemy.  They  had  sent: 
many  of  the  prisoners  away,  and  had  killed  nine  in  cold 
blood.  'J'he  Nova-Scotia  fndians  had  the  character  of 
being  more  savage  and  cruel  than  the  other  tribes. 

Elliot  v.  as  badly  wounded  in  the  action,  one  of  his  men 
was  killed  and  several  wounded. 

Robinson  did  not  retinn  unsuccessful.  He  retook  two 
vessels,  and  killed  a  number  of  the  enemy.  The  other 
vessels  the  Itidians  had  carried  far  up  the  bay  above  the 
harbor  of  Malagash,  so  diat  they  were  out  of  his  reach. 
The  enemy  were  so  numerous,  that  he  had  not  a  sufRcien': 
number  of  men  to  land  and  drive  them  off. 

This  was  an  unfoj-tunate  aftair  to  the  Indians.  The  loss 
of  so  many  men  filled  them  with  the  utmost  rage ;  and 
they  determined  to  revenge  themselves  on  the  poor  fisher- 
men whom  they  had  made  prisoners.  About  twenty  o( 
these  were  yet  in  their  hands.  These  they  destined  to  be 
sacrificed  to  the  manes  of  their  slaughtered  fellows.  The 
fires  it  seems  were  kindling,  the  powowing  and  other  cere- 
monies of  destruction  were  performing  at  Malagash,  when 
C-aptain  Blin  appeared  in  a  sloop,  off  the  harbor,  and 
made  a  signal,  or  sent  in  a  token,  Avhich  had  been  agreed 
upon,  between  him  and  the  Indians,  when  he  was  theii' 
prisoner,  to  be  his  protection.  Three  Indians  camft 
on  board  his  vessel,  and  an  agreement  was  made  for  the 
ransom  both  of  the  captives  and  vessels.  The  Vanson> 
was  paid,  and  the  vessels  and  captives  delivered  to  him^ 
This  was  a  most  providential  and  signal  deliverance  of  th«? 
captives  from  an  untimely  and  barbarous  death. 


•tfAP.  V. 

r  rall**«l 

be  «'ann" 
(iiaiis  on 
',  roarod 
Marc  all 
•  haslr  I 
attrmj)!'* 
cut  ihcii- 
r  rs(  apf. 
boir  [)Ui- 
■  an  hour, 

the  hand 
such  (Jc's- 
l  into  the 
ih.  Fivft 
L'vcn  vcs- 
iccn  rap- 

hatl  scut 
le;  in  colli 
iracler  ol" 

>t'  his  men 

;took  two 
^'he  other 
above  the 
lis  reach, 
sufficient: 


^HAI*.  N  . 


CONNECTirut. 


•T 


thelo 


ss 


•age 


and 


aor  fishcr- 

Lwenty  of 

ined  to  be 

ws.     Tho 

ther  cere- 

sh,  whe» 

rbor,  and 

en  agreed 

was  theii' 

ins    came 

de  for  the 

e  Vanson» 

>d  to  him^ 

nee  of  the 


Captain  Rlin,  on  hisrrdirn  to  DoHtnii,  took  thrrr  or  four  Book  II. 
of  the  Indians.     Captain  Southark,  about  thr  .sanif  timr,  s,^~/-^^• 
fof>k  two  ranoos  with  three  in  eat  h.     One  was  killed  and    1723. 
/ivf  were  made  [)risonerR. 

Meanwhile  the  enemy  were  not  idle.     In  September,  Attack  on 
four  or  five  hundred  of  them,  made  an  attack  on  the  inhabi-  ^"'**''',}*' 
ian»s  and  fort  upon  Arowsick  Island.     They  werediscov-' '^'''"  ^'- ' 
f  red  by  the  soldiers  of  the  garrison  at  some  tlistance,  sa 
that  (he  inhabitants  had  time  to  secure  part  of  their  effecls 
and  to  make  their  escape  to  the  fort.     The  enemy  began 
their  attack  immediately  upon  the  fort.   This  was  Jr>fended 
by  forty  soldiers  under  Captains  Temple  and  Fenhallow. 
They  made  so  gallant  a  defence,  that  the  enemy  after  kill- 
ing one  man  drew  off  from  the  fort,  and  falling  upon  the 
cattle  killed  about  fifty  head.     They  then  plundered  and 
burnt  the  houses,  about  twenty  six  in  number.     The  in- 
habitants saw  with  great  distress,  from  the  fort,  the  burn- 
ing of  their  habitations,  and  bewailed  their  insulhciency  of 
numbers,  to  prevent  the  mischief. 

Captains  Walton  and  Hai-man,  who  were  posted  on  tlu^ 
frontiers,  on  the  first  alarm,  made  all  possible  dispatch  to 
reinforce  the  garrison,  and  before  night  arrived  with  thirty 
men,  in  two  whale  boats.  With  this  joint  force,  consist- 
ing of  seventy  men,  they  made  an  attempt  to  repel  the  en- 
emy ;  but  their  numbers  were  so  unequal,  that  in  a  bush 
fight  behind  trees,  they  found  there  was  no  chance  of  suc- 
cess, and  they  retreated  to  the  fort.  The  enemy  drew  olF 
in  the  night ;  and  passing  up  Kennebeck  river,  they  met. 
the  province  sloop,  and  ilring  upon  her,  killed  the  master, 
Bartholomew  Stretton.  They  proceeded  to  Richmond, 
and  made  an  attack  on  the  fort  tnere,  and  thence  went  to 
NorridgcAVOck,  their  head  quarters. 

The  enemy  concluded  the  mischief  of  this  first  year  of 
the  war,  by  killing  a  man  at  Berwick, 

Before  this,  Colonel  Walton  had  selected  three  hundred 
men  for  the  expedition  against  Penobscot,  and  they  had 
actually  marched  for  the  place  of  their  destination  :  but. 
on  the  appearance  of  such  a  formidable  body  of  the  enemy 
on  the  frontiers,  he  countermanded  the  troops,  and  sent 
immediately  to  the  governor,  ac((uainting  him  with  what 
he  had  done.  The  council  advised  to  keep  the  force  on 
the  frontiers  for  the  defence  of  the  inhabitants,  and  to  sus- 
pend the  expedition  to  Penobscot  until  winter.  They  judg- 
ed that  the  winter  would  be  a  more  seasonable  opportunity 
for  the  enterprise.  Theexpedition  was  therefore  suspended. 

As  war  had  been  proclaimed  against  the  eastern  In- 
tlis^is,  s^nd  they  had  doae  so  much  mischief  in  the  war, 


C8 


HISTORY  i)V 


Chap.  V. 


m 


I 


n 


Oct.  nth 


General 
court  of 
MasbachU' 
setts,  Nov. 
15th,  172« 


.  Gi)vrrnor  Shutc,  of  Masnachusott^,  and  fi ovornor  Biirnrf, 
of  Nt'w-York,  wroU"  li'tlprs  lo  (jovrrnor  SaNioiiHtiill,  (Ip- 
mandiiig  f^npplirs  of  ammunition  and  men,  or  the  ronimiiiid 
•of  a  rrriain  part  of  the  militia,  to  u.Hhiht  in  the  war  against 
thp  common  enemy. 

When  the  letters  were  bid  before  the  aAHemMy  in  the 
Ortoher  session,  it  was  resolved,  That  the  insnits  of  the 
eastern  Indians,  who  were  comparatively  few  in  numlicr, 
were  not  Huch  an  invasion  of  the  frontiers  aH  was  uruhr- 
htood  by  his  majesty,  to  call  for  the  asnistance  of  all  liin 
majesty's  subjects,  in  North  America,  from  New-Hanip* 
shire  to  Virginia,  and  that  on  that  account  the  colony  ex- 
cused itself  from  affording  assistance  in  the  war.  Al  the 
same  time,  iJie  assembly  gave  assurance  to  their  excclUn- 
cies,  Shutc  and  Hurnet,  that  in  time  of  general  war  and 
danger,  they  woi^ld  be  as  ready  as  any  of  his  majesty's 
subjects  to  comply  with  his  requisitions.  This  was  not 
the  only  objection  of  the  assembly  to  engage  in  the  war; 
they  were  not  satisfied  that  it  was  lawful. 

Nevertheless,  the  legislature,  not  knowing  how  far  the 
mischief  might  sprcaci,  sent  a  detachment  of  about  iifiy 
men  to  keep  garrison  and  scout  in  the  county  of  I^Iam))- 
shire,  and  to  cover  that  part  of  the  country.  Some  sol- 
diers were  also  posted  in  the  frontier  towns  of  this  colony. 

In  November,  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts  came 
together.  The  court  Immediately  entered  on  the  affairs  oi 
the  war.  Among  other  measures,  they  appointed  commis- 
sioners to  treat  with  the  six  nations  of  Indians,  who  were 
in  friendship  with  the  English,  and  to  engage  them  to  use 
their  influence  with  the  eastern  Indians,  to  persuade  them 
to  make  satisfaction  for  the  damages  they  had  done,  and 
to  bo  at  peace  for  the  future.  They  were  also  to  offer 
them  certain  premiums  for  all  the  scalps  and  captives  of 
the  enemy  which  they  should  bring  in.  / 

But  they  soon  renewed  their  controversy  with  the  go- 
vernor ;  censured  him  for  not  carrying  into  execution  the 
expedition  against  Penobscot,  insisted  that  Colonel  Wal- 
ton should  be  recalled,  because  he  had  kept  the  whole  of 
the  troops  on  the  frontiers,  though  he  had  done  it  by  the 
express  orders  of  the  governor,  by  advice  of  his  council. 
The  house  took  it  upon  them  to  cj^amine  Colonel  Walton, 
independently  of  the  governor  and  council,  and  refused  to 
vote  any  pay  to  Walton  and  other  officers,  and  in  short, 
to  support  the  war,  unless  some  of  the  bfficers  in  chief 
command  were  displaced  and  others  appointed  to  com- 
mand. They  encroached  on  the  prerogative  of  the  go- 
vernor as  commander  in  chief.    Thev  so  entirely  coun- 


ClIAf  V. 


rONiNErTICUT. 


irntrtinl  Itim  in  ail  hix  moaMircs,  atul  luiiiiiri'itod  such  in-  IVioi;  fl. 
(ill  (lisHHictinii  to  liis  |i<  rxm  ntid  ^<>vr<riiiii<iiit.  thai  he  hli 


>  ; 


ihf  ciMiri  while  it  was  in  sc.'>.^i(iii,  aiitl  iiithurkcd  tor  Mm-    17^ 
Inland.* 

The  wei'.^ht  of  govfTiiineiii  now  Ml  on  the  d«'piity  go- 
vernor, Dnnimer.  'I'he  house  in  various  re«|)o<ts  en 
•  roachcd  on  his  prcn>i;;itivc,  hut  for  the  ^(mkI  of  the  jtror 
vincc,  ond,  that  proper  proviHion  rni^ht  he  miule  lor  a  vi- 
^orous  proseetition  of  the  war,  he  for  the  present  yielded 
to  the  necessity  of  the  timeH,  f'ol(»nel  Westhrook  was 
appointed  to  the  chief  command,  in  the  roon'  of  U'alton, 
who  resigned.  Two  winter  cxpe(lilion,s  were  drtennined 
on ;  one  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Wcstbrook,  anil 
the  other  under  Captain  Karman. 

The  expedition  under  Captain  Harman  was  first  iu  rea-  Kxiwdiiinu 
dincss.     On  the  6th  of  February,  ho  set  out  with  about  an  ^'■,,""j,,, 
hundred  and  twenty  men  for  Norridgewock  ;  bnt  fl.    rivers  ,'  ^kj-'ik 
were  so  open  and  the  grounds  so  full  of  water,  that  they  6<h,  n: ; 
could  not  proceed.    Having  advanced  with  much  ditliculty 
as  far  as  tne  upper  falls  of  Amascoggin,  they  divided  info 
scouting  parties  and  returned.     In  their  wiiole  route  thev 
discovered  not  an  enemy. 

Five  days  after  Captain  Harman  began  his  march,  Co-  Feb.  nth. 
lonel  Wcstbrook  set  out,  with  two  hundred  and  thirty  men,  ^'?'^"''* 
in  small  vessels  and  whale  boats,  and  ranged  the  coast  as  biooic», 
far  as  Mount  Desart.     Upon  his  return,  he  proceeded  uprxiie«li- 
Penobscot  river,  where,  about  thirty  two  miles  above  tli;  *«"»• 
anchoring  ground  for  transports,  he  discovered  the  Indian 
village  and  castle.     The  castle  was  fortified  with  stock 
ades,  seventy  feet  in  length,  and  fifty  in  breadth,  encom- 
passing twenty  three  weP  finished  wigwams.    Without  the 
fort  was  a  chyirch  sixty  feet  long  and  thirty  wide,  decently 
finished  within  and  without.     1  here  was  air    ^  very  con- 
venient house  for  the  minister ;  but  all  ^\   » ^  deserted. 
Nothing  more  was  eflfected  than  the  burning  of  this  little  ' 

village.     On  the  20th  of  March  the  troops  returned  to  St. 
George's. 

No  sooner  was  the  spring  well  opened  than  the  enemy 
commenced  their  operations.  Small  parties  kept  the  fron- 
tiers in  constant  alarm  and  terror.  Notwithstanding  all 
the  vigilance  and  exertions  of  the  troops,  they  sometimes 
were  successful. 

In  April  they  killed  and  captivated  eight  persons  at  Scar- 

*  The  extraordinary  conduct  of  the  house  towards  Governor  Shute, 
may  be  found  faithfully  represented,  and  the  difficulty  and  danger  in  which 
it  involved  the  Province,  in  Goremor  Hutchiuson's  Historv,  Vol.  IT.  from 
page  216  to  page  300.   "...  ... 


tJoOK  II. 

1723. 


IIISTOUV  OF 


ClIAP.  V 


July. 


Aug.  13lh 


Aug.  2l8t 
Treaty 
with  the 
Indiiins  of 
the  Six 
Nulioos. 


borough  and  Falmouth.     Amonsj  (he  drail  was  oneChubli. 

/  a  sprf^fiJiil  of  the  tort,  whom  the  liuliims  sujiposing  to  \>f' 
Ca|)taiti  Ilarman,  fifteen  of  them  took  aim  at  him  ut  tlrt- 
same  time,  and  lodged  eleven  bullets  iti  his  bofjy.  This 
was  a  means  of  the  ])reservation  of  the  live'<  of  othn-j, 
though  fatal  to  him,  as  more  made  their  escape  to  the  fort, 
than  otherwise  would  have  done.  The  next  month  they 
killed  two  men  near  Berwick,  one  ai  Wells,  and  two  be- 
tween York  and  Wells. 

In  June  they  made  an  attack  on  Roger  Bearing's  garri- 
son at  Scarborough,  killed  his  wife,  and  two  other  persons, 
and  made  captives  of  three  of  his.  children.  Soon  after 
they  visited  Saco.  Five  of  them  attacked  one  Dominicus 
Jordan,  one  of  the  j)rincipal  proprietors  of  the  town,  in 
his  field ;  but  as  he  kept  his  gun  constantly  presented  at 
them  without  firing,  they  were  afraid  to  come  very  near 
him,  and  he  made  his  escape  to  the  fort,  after  having  re- 
ceived three  wounds  by  them.  On  the  14th  they  surprised 
C'a|)tain  Watkins  on  JDurel's  Island,  and  killed  him,  and 

,  three  or  four  of  his  family.  In  August,  a  party  of  about  a 
dozen  of  the  Indians,  killed  two  men  at  Northfield,  and  the 
next  day  they  surprised  a  father  with  four  of  his  sons,  a» 
they  were  making  hay  in  a  meadow  at  Rutland.  The  fa- 
ther made  his  escape,  but  the  sons  fell  a  prey  to  the  cncr 
my.  At  the  same  time,  Mr.  Willard,  the  minister  of  the 
town,  fell  in  with  the  party  and  was  killed.  lie  was  arm- 
ed, and  before  he  fell.,  killed  one  and  w  ounded  another. 
Towards  the  end  of  the  month,  they  killed  a  man  at  Co- 
checo,  and  killed  or  captivated  another  at  Arundel.  While 
these  misfortunes  were  happening  on  the  frontiers,  the 
General  Court  of  Massachusetts  came  togethc  ,  and  in  con- 
sequence of  the  measures  which  had  been  adopted,  in  send- 
ing commissioners  to  the  Six  Nations,  sixty-three  Indians 

.  went  to  Boston,  while  the  court  were  in  session.  A  formal 
treaty  was  held  with  them,  and  a  large  sum  was  drawn 
from  the  government  in  valuable  presents ;  but  it  was  all 
to  no  purpose.  The  delegates  were  too  cautious  to  involve 
their  principals  in  the  war.  All  that  they  would  do  rela- 
tive to  it,  was  to  give  liberty  to  any  of  their  young  men 
who  should  desire  it,  to  go  out  with  any  parties  of  English 
who  should  be  engaged  in  the  military  service.  Two 
young  Mohawks  '<nly  offered  their  service,  and  were  sent 
on  to  the  eastward,  to  join  the  troops  on  the  frontiers. 
Having  arrived  at  the  fort  at  Richmond,  on  Kennebeck 
river,  Captain  Heath,  who  commanded,  ordered  his  ensign, 
Coleby,  and  three  of  the  garrison,  to  go  out  with  them  on 
9  scouting  party  up  the  river.     After  tiey  had  travelletj 


CflAP.  V. 


CONNFXTICUT. 


71 


Oct.  II, 
1723. 


;ilx)Ut  tlircc  miles,  they  judgod,  from  the  .smrll  of  fire,  fh;U  Book  II. 
:i  p;irty  of  the  enemy  mu.st  he  near.  The  Mohawks  refu- 
std  to  proceed  any  further,  until  they  were  reinforced. 
They  sent  back  their  boat  for  as  many  men  as  she  could 
carry.  Thirteen  were  sent.  Soon  after  they  had  formed 
;i  junction  with  the  pther  party,  about  thirty  of  tlic  enemy 
apjTearctl.  A  smart  skirmish  commenced,  but  the  puemy 
were  beaten  and  fled  to  their  canoes,  leaving  their  packs 
luhind  them.  They  carried  oft*  two  of  their  number,  either 
dead,  or  so  wounded  as  to  be  unable  to  walk.  Coleby, 
who  commanded  the  party,  was  killed,  and  two  others 
u  ounded.  The  two  Mohawks  appeared  to  have  had  eno\igh 
of  th'^  service,  and  as  they  could  not  be  prevailed  on  to 
tarry  longer,  were  .sent  back  to  Boston. 

Meanwhile  the  enemy  continued  their  depredations.  In 
October,  seventy  of  ihe  enemy  attacked  the  block-house  at 
Northiield,  and  killed  or  wounded  four  or  five  of  the  Eng- 
lish. Fifty  Connecticut  soldiers,  who  had  kept  garrison 
there  through  the  summer,  had  been  drawn  olF  the  day  be- 
ibre.  It  is  not  improbable  that  the  enemy  had  obtained 
the  knowledge  of  this  circumstance,  and  that  it  embolden- 
ed them  to  make  the  attack.  Colonel  Stoddard  marched 
immediaiely  from  Northampton,  with  fifty  men,  to  reinforce 
the  garrison.  The  same  month  one  Cogswell,  with  a  boat's^ 
crew,  was  surprised  by  the  enemy. 

At  the  beginning  of  winter,  about  sixty  of  them  laid  siege  Dor.  Mth, 
to  the  fort  at  Muscungus,  or  St.  Georges.  They  sorprised  ^''^^• 
two  of  the  garrison,  from  whom  they  obtained  information, 
'that  the  fort  was  in  a  weak  and  miserable  condition,  which 
encouraged  them  to  commence  and  press  the  siege.  But 
the  chief  officer,  Kennedy,  was  a  bold  and  resolute  man, 
and  he  kept  his  ground  until  Colonel  Westbrook  arrived 
with  a  sufficient  force  to  put  the  besiegers  to  flight. 

The  English  kept  parties  constantly  marching  back- 
Wards  and  forwards  on  the  frontiers,  but  they  discovered 
no  enemy.  They  were  careful  to  avoid  them.  Captain 
Moulton,  with  a  party  of  men,  marched  to  Norridgewock, 
and  brought  oflf  some  books  and  papers  of  the  Jesuit  Ralle, 
by  which  they  discovered  that  the  French  were  the  insti- 
gators of  the  Indians  to  the  war.  The  enemy  had  all  made 
their  escape,  so  that  not  one  'vas  to  be  seen.  He  came  off 
\vithout  destroying  the  houses  or  the  church.  He  was  no 
only  a  brave,  but  discreet  man,  and  probably  judged  that 
such  an  instance  of  moderation,  might  induce  the  enemy  to 
treat  the  English  in  the  same  manner. 

The  continuance  of  the  war  with  Massachusetts,  and 
the  kittack  ef  sio  laxge  a  body  of  the  Indians  upon  Northfield, 


■} 


HISTORY  OF 


Cn.M'.  V. 


Kcsolu- 
lionsol  Uic 
Ctcticral 
As.'cnilily 
<»f  (^'oii- 
iiucticiit 
relalivn  to 
the  war. 


UooK  11.  5f(ni.«  io  have  called  the  attention  of  the  Icgislafure  of  Con- 
necticut to  a  more  particular  enquiry  into  the  state  of  the 
war.  VVheti  the  assembly  came  together,  in  October,  they 
passed  a  number  of  resolves  to  the  following  eflect :  That 
the  governor  should  correspond  with  the  gjvernor  of  Mas- 
sachusetts Bay,  and  endeavour  to  know  how  said  war  com- 
menced ;  what  were  the  real,  or  pretended  causes  of  it ; 
and  particularly,  what  was  the  result  of  the  late  treaty  with 

Oct.  n'Z3.  the  Maquas,  or  western  Indians,  and  what  effects  might  be 
exjicctcd  from  it? — What  plans  they  had  formed  for  the 
prosecution  of  the  war  ?  That  a  proper  regard  might  be 
Jiad  to  thertl  by  the  scouting  parties,  which  should  be  em- 
ployed for  the  security  oi"  the  frontiers.  It  was  further  re- 
solved, as  the  opinion  of  the  assembly,  That  if  there  was 
danger  of  the  enemies'  falling  in  a  body  upon  any  of  the 
western  frontier  towns  in  this  colony,  or  in  the  county  of 
Hampshire,  in  Massachusetts  province,  the  most  proper 
method  of  covering  them,  would  be  to  support  the  advanced 
])osls  of  Deerfield  and  Northfield  with  such  a  gan*ison, 
that  good  marching  parties  might  be  kept  out,  both  west- 
ward to  Ousatunnuck,  and  east  yard  to  Manandunclc.  That 
the  scouts  employed  by  this  co'ony,  shall,  if  it  may  be  con- 
sistent, be  partly  of  our  friendiy  Indians,  who  shall  have 
»  ncouragement  to  enter  into  the  service. 

Provision  was  made,  that  during  the  time  of  danger, 
there  should  be  a  committee  of  war,  in  and  about  Hart- 
ford, which  might  be  easily  convened,  and  afford  assist- 
ance on  the  most  sudden  attack  of  the  enetfty :  and  they 
were  furnished  with  such  commissions  aiid  instructions,  by' 
the  governor,  as  enabled  them,  an  any  emergency,  to  send 
out  such  a  number  of  troops,  iratnediately,  as  should  be 
necessary  to  repel  the  enemy  attaicking  any  of  the  townsf 
on  the  frontiers  of  this  colony,  or  in  the  county  of  Hamp- 
ahire,  in  the  province  of  Massachusetts. 

Directions  were  also  given,  that  if  ^he  governor  and 
council,  on  acquainting  themselves  with  the  slate  of  the 
wo: ,  and  on  corresponding  with  the  Governor  of  Massa- 
chiisrtls,  should  judge  that  the  safety  of  the  frontiers  re- 
quired it,  they  might  join  with  Massachusetts  in  keeping 
1  he  posts  at  Deerfield  and  Northfield,  or  either  of  them, 
and  in  keeping  out  scouts  and  good  marching  parties, 
north,  east,  and  west,  to  cover  the  frontiers,  and  to  make 
discoveries.  They  were  empowered  to  impress  sixty  men, 
and  no  more,  unless  an  extraordinary  attack  should  be 
m:ide,  by  a  large  body  of  the  enemy.  They  might  also 
add  the  same  number  of  Indians. 
The  province  of  Massachusetts  sustained  a  considerable 


C'lIAI-.    V. 

ire  of  Con- 
tate  of  ihr 
ober,  thej 
ect:  Thaf 
or  of  Mas- 
1  war  com- 
isOs  of  it ; 
treaty  witli 
ts  might  bf: 
ed  for  thr 
i  might  be 
ild  be  em- 
further  re- 
there  was 
any  of  the 
e  county  of 
tiost  proper 
e  advanced 
a  gan'ison, 
both  west- 
melt.    That 
nay  be  con- 
shall  have 

of  danger, 
ibout  Hart- 
fFord  assist- 
:  and  they 
ructions,  by' 
icy,  to  send 
should  be 
the  towns 
f  of  Hamp- 

►vernor  and 
state  of  the 
r  of  Massa- 
rontiers  re- 
in keeping 
pr  of  them, 
ng  parties, 
id  to  make 
s  sixty  men, 
{  should  be 
f  might  also 

■onsiderablc 


Chap.  V. 

loss  of  livr 


CONNECTICUT. 


thi^ 


d 


of  the 


TS 

Book  11. 


and  property  m  uiis  seconil 
but  ihey  wt- re  more  unfortunate 
former  part  of  it.     In  March  the  enemy  killed   sergeant  March 
Smith,  at  the  fort  of  Cape  Porpoise.     In  April  one  ftlitch-^^'  ''*■*' 
oil  was  killed  at  Black  Point,  and  two  of  his  sons  were  ta- 
ken.    About  the  same  time,  three  men  were  killed  at  a 
sawmill,  on   Kennc beck  river.     The  next  month  the  ene- M»f. 
my  killed  one  Thompson  at  Berwick;  one  of  his  children 
they  captivated,  another  they  scalped  and  left  for  dead  ; 
but  it  soon  revived  and  was  carried  home  alive.     They 
killed  elder  Knock,  at  Lamprey  river,  and  George  Chap- 
ley  and  a  young  woman  at  Oyster  river,  as  they  were  go- 
ing home  I'rom  public  worship.     At  Kingston  they  capti- 
vated one  man  and  three  boys. 

In  the  beginning  of  June,  a  scout  of  thirty  men  from 
Oyster  river,  were  attacked  before  they  left  the  houses. 
Two  of  them  were  instantly  shot  down.  The  rest  ran  so 
furiously  upon  the  Indians,  that  they  fled,  leaving  their 
packs  and  one  of  their  number,  who  was  killed  in  the  skir- 
mish. At  Hatfield  one  Englishman  was  killed  and  two  ta- 
ken prisoners.  Another,  with  a  friendly  Indian  and  their 
horses,  was  killed  between  Northfield  and  Deerfield. 

About  the  same  time  an  unfortunate  aflair  took  place 
with  respect  to  captain  Josiah  Winslow,  and  part  of  the 
garrison  belonging  to  the  fort  at  St.  Georges  river.  There 
went  seventeen  men  from  the  fort  in  two  whale  boats.  The 
Indians,  it  seems,  discovered  them,  and  waited  the  most 
convenient  time  and  place  to  attack  them :  as  they  were 
returning,  the  day  after  they  went  out,  they  found  them- 
selves suddenly  surrounded  with  thirty  canoes,  whose  com- 
plement must  have  been  an  hundred  Indians.  They  at-  Juae  l«t. 
tempted  to  land,  but  were  intercepted,  and  nothing  re- 
mained but  to  sell  their  lives  as  dearly  as  possible.  They 
made  a  gallant  defence,  but  every  Englishman  was  killea. 
Three  Indians  who  were  of  the  number  only  returned  to 
the  fort  to  relate  the  melancholy  news.  This  was  a  heavy 
loss.  Captain  Winslow  was  a  fine  young  officer,  of  hon- 
orable descent,  and  had  but  just  finished  his  studies  at  col- 
lege. His  father  Avas  one  of  the  council.  His  grand- 
father and  great-grandfather  had  been  governors  of  Plym- 
outh colony.  He  had  a  mind  formed  for  usefulness,  and 
his  death  was  much  lamented,  •  r'  •' 

Animated  with  this  success,  the  enemy  made  a  still 
greater  attempt  by  water.  They  took  two  shallops  at  the 
Isles  of  Shoals,  and  afterwards  they  took  several  othej* 
fishing  vessels,  in  different  harbors.  Among  the  rest, 
ihey  took  possession  of  a  large  scbotm^r,  with  two  swivel 

K 


t:i  M  );■    ' 


7-1 


fllSTOItY  Ob' 


CftAP.   \' 


I 


BonK  If.  guns.     'J'hcy  manned  her  and  cruised  along  shore.     It  wav 

v^^^^^fc^  judj;cd  that  a  small  force  would  be  suliicient  to  conquer 
17'2'1.  these  i-aw  sailors.  The  licut.  governor  commissioneil 
doctor  Jackson  of  the  Province  of  Maine,  in  ->  small 
schooner,  with  twenty  men,  and  Sylvanus  Lakeman  o'' 
Ipswich,  in  a  shallop  with  sixteen  men,  to  go  in  quest  o^ 
them.  T'.oy  soon  came  up  with  them  ;  but  the  enemy 
were  too  strong  for  them.  Thry  returned  with  their  rig  - 
irig  mucli  datriaged  with  the  swivel  guns,  and  Jackson  and 
several  cT  his  men  were  wounded.  The  only  accounf. 
they  could  give  of  the  enemy  was,  that  they  were  gone  in- 
to Penobscot.  Other  attempts  were  made  to  recover  the 
vessels  and  bring  them  in;  but  all  were  unsuccessful. 
The  enemy  took  eleven  vessels,  with  forty  five  men,  twen- 
ty two  of  whom  they  killed,  and  curried  twenty  three  into 
C8])iivily. 

Aug.  3d.  Th?y  ktll«d  a  man  at  Groton,  and  lost  one  of  their  own 
number.  In  August  they  killid  three  men,  wounded 
another,  and  took  one  prisoner  at  Hutland.  About  the 
same  time  four  of  them  attacked  a  small  house  at  Oxfoixl, 
which  had  been  erected  under  a  hill.     The  house  was  de- 

6lh.  fended  only  by  one  courageous  woman.     She  loaded  two 

muskets  and  two  pistols  ;  one  for  each  of  them.  They 
finally  made  a  breach  in  the  roof,  and  as  one  of  them  wa? 
entering,  she  put  a  cliarge  through  his  belly.  This  finish- 
ed the  attack  ;  the  others  took  their  dead  companion,  and 

I6tii.  retreated.  About  ten  days  after,  they  killed  a  man  at 
Berwick,  wounded  another,  and  carried  a  third  into  cap- 
tivity. On  the  26th,  they  killed  one  and  wounded  anotheu 
at  Northampton,  The  next  day  they  suj  prised  the  house 
of  one  John  Hanson,  a  quaker,  at  Dover,  and  carried  oiV 
his  wife,  maid  and  six  children.  Hatison  was  absent,  al 
a  meeting  of  the  friends.  ,  ,  •     ' 

Discouraged  with  the  ineffectual  attempts  to  intercept 
the  enemy,  by  scouting  parties  marching  on  the  back  of 
the  frontiers,  another  expedition  was  resolved  upon,  to 
surprise  them  at  their  head  quarters,  or  principal  village, 
Norridgewock^ 

Four  companies,  consisting  in  the  whole  of  two  hundred 
and  eight  men,  under  the  command  of  captains  Harman, 
Moulton  and  Bourne,  were  ordered  up  the  river  Kenne- 
beck  for  that  purpose.  Three  Mohawks  were  engaged  to 
go  out  OB  the  expedition. 

The  troops  leit  Richmond  fort,  on  the  Kennebeck  river, 
the  1 9th  of  August ,  the  20th,  they  arrived  at  Taconick, 
where  they  left  their  whale  boats,  under  a  guard  of  forty 
m.pn,  out  of  the  two  hundred.and  eight.    On  the  21stj  they 


CftAP.   \  - 

rc.  Itwa- 
lo  conquff 
nmissioncti 
in  '>  small 
akcman  c'" 
in  cjucst  o^ 
the  enemy 
h  their  rig  - 
ackson  and 
ly  accounr. 
re  gone  in- 
ecover  the 
isucccssJul. 
men,  twcn  ■ 
y  three  into 

r  their  own 
,    wounded 
Abojit  the 
at  OxfoitU 
use  was  de- 
loaded  two 
em.     They 
if  them  wa.i 
This  finish- 
anion,  and 
a  man  at- 
d  into  Gap- 
ed anotheu 
the  house 
carried  oiV 
absent,  at 

o  intercepfi 
he  back  of 
upon,  to 
pal  village, 

vo  hundred 
IS  Harman, 
'^er  Kenne- 
engaged  to 

beck  river^ 
Taconick, 

ird  of  forty 
21st,  they 


Chap.  \  . 


CONN  XJTICIJT. 


4>i 


rommenred   their   mstrch,    by   land,    for    Norridt^cwock.  Book  IT. 
The  siHiie  I'venint;  they  discovered,  and  fired  on  two  wo-  s^^x'^s*/ 
men.  the  wilif^  and  daughter  of  the  famous  and  well  known    i7.M. 
warrior  Homazeen.     Ilis  (laughter  was  killed,  and  his  wifv^ 
was  mafle  prisoner.     By  her  they  obtained  a  full  account 
of  the  state  of  Nomdgewock.     On  the   J.Jd,  a  little  after 
noon,  they  came    near  the  village.     As  it   was  suj))H)sed 
that  part  of  the  Indians  might  be  in  their  corn  fields,  which 
were  ul  some  distance  from  the  village,  it  was  judged  best 
to  divide  the  army.     Captain  Marman,  who  was  comman- 
der in  chief,  took  eighty  four  men  and  marched  to  the  corn- 
lields,  and  Captain  Moulton  with  the  same  number  march- 
ed directly  to  the  village.     This,  about  three  of  the  clock, 
opened  suddenly  upon  them.     There  was  not  an  Indian  to 
be  seen  ;  they  were  all  in  their  wigwams.     The  English 
were  ordered  to  advance  as  softly  as  possible,  and  to  keep 
a  profound  silence.     At  length  an  Indian  came  out  from  Tiic  <l(  s-^ 
one  of  the  wigwams,  and  looking  round,  discovered  the  *^."^M']'|  "^ 
English  close  upon  him.     He  gave  the  war  whoop  and  ran  'J^^^  ^^' 
in  for  his  gun.     The  whole  village  took  the  alarm  ;  and  Aui?.  '23(J, 
about  sixty  warriors  ran  to  meet   the  l^nglish,  while  the  ^'5'^4- 
old  men,  women  and  children  fled  for  their  lives.     Moul- 
ton, instead  of  suffering  his  men  to  fire  at  random  through 
the  wigwams,  charged  them,  on  pain  of  death,  not  to  fire 
a  gun  till  they  had  received  the  fire  of  the  Indians.     He 
judged  they  would  fire  in  a  panick  and  overshoot  them. 
So  it  happened  ;  not  a  man  was  hurt.     The  English  dis- 
charged in  their  turn  and  made  great  slaughter.  The  Eng- 
lish kept  their  ranks ;  the  Indians  fired  a  second  time,  and 
fled  towards  the  river.     Some  jumped  into  their  canoes, 
but  as  their  pa  Jdles  had  been  left  in  the  wigwams,  they 
made  their  escape  but  slowly ;  others  jumped  into  the  river 
and  swam;  some  of  the  tallest  were  able  to  ford  it.     Some 
of  the  English  furnished  themselves  with  paddles,  and  took 
to  the  canoes  which  the  Indians  had  left;  others  waded  in- 
to the  river,  and  so  pressed  upon  them,  that  they  were  soon 
driven  from  all  their  canoos  and  from  the  river.    They  were 
shot  in  the  water,  and  on  the  opposite  shore,  as  they  were 
making  their  escape  into  the  woods.     It  was  imagined  by 
the  English,  that  not  more  than  fifty  of  the  whole  village 
made  their  escape. 

Having  put  the  enemy  to  flight,  the  Eiiglish  returned  to 
the  village,  where  they  found  the  Jesuit  Ralle,  firing  on  a 
number  of  our  men,  who  had  not  been  in  pursuit  of  the 
enemy.  He  had  in  the  wigwam  an  English  boy,  about 
fourteen  years  of  age,  who  had  been  taken  about  six 
months  before.     This  boy  he  bad  shot  through  the  thigh, 


««■   > 


76 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  V. 


pi'..'* 


Book  II.  atid  afterwards  slab})rd  in  iho  hody  ;  but  by  the  care  of 
s^^^^^^y  surgeons,  be  recovered.*  Moullon  had  t^iven  orders  not 
1 724.  lo  kill  the  Jesuit,  biit  as  by  his  firing  from  the  wigwam,  one 
of  the  English  hr»d  been  wounded,  one  lifutm ant  Jafjues 
broke  open  the  door  and  shot  him  through  ii>f  b>.ii!.  Jj'- 
nuesexrus'd  himself  lo  his  commandi  lu  oiii  .^r.  allrdgii  j; 
tnatUalle  v.  .s  loailing  his  gun  when  lie  tit'.cd  the  wii,- 
wam,  and  ticclared  that  he  wo'dd  neiti^^r  f'lv}  nor  tak  » 
(juarttT.  Mculton  allowed  thai  some  niswer  was  ^iv>,  p 
"which  provoki.'d  Jaques,  h\t:  he  doubled  v  lether  it  was  the 
same  which  was  reported.  He  ever  exp^x'ssed  his  disap- 
j)robation<>f  the  anion.  A!og,  a  famous  Indian  chief  and 
warrior,  was  ff>uijd  shut  up  in  another  wJewraii,  from  ivl  ii  h 
he  fired  and  killed  one  of  the  fhie*  MohH.vks.  This  so  en- 
i"ag''d  his  brother,  liiat  he  broke  'Jo'\  ii  the  Ooov  vd  shot 
him  dead.  The  E^nglish  in  their  r  >gi  .  I'oIIom  -^d  ar.  l  killed 
his  wife  and  two  helpless  children.  U  is  painful  to  relate 
(he  inhuipani*}  of  war,  and  the  unnecessary  shedding  of 
biv)od  which  ib  the  mere  fruit  of  rcvcjige,  or  at  least  of  a 
(j>r'  t  \van(  of  benevolent  feeling. 

Ha.ving  r.leared  the  village  of  the  enemy,  the  troops  fell 
to  plundering  and  destroying  the  wign  ams.  The  plunder 
of  an  Indian  village  afforded  no  considerable  booty.  As 
it  was  near  harvest,  there  was  but  little  corn  ;  a  few  blan- 
kets, kettles  and  guns,  with  about  three  barrels  of  pow- 
der, was  all  they  could  find  to  bring  off,  except  the  plate 
of  the  church,  which  they  judged  to  be  no  hacrilege  to  bring 
away.  They  expressed  some  zeal  against  idolatry  in 
breaking  the  crucifixes  and  other  imagery  which  they 
found. 

Harman  and  his  party,  who  went  to  the  corn  fields,  did 
not  come  up  till  nearly  night,  when  the  action  was  over. 
The  whole  anny  lodged  in  the  wigwams  that  night,  under 
a  guard  of  forty  men.  The  next  morning  they  counted 
twenty  seven  dead  bodies,  and  they  had  one  woman  and 
three  children  prisoners.  Among  the  dead  were  Boma- 
:«een,  Mog,  Job,  Carabeset,  Wissi;memet,  and  Bomazqen's 
son  in  law,  all  noted  warriors.  As  the  troops  were  anxious 
for  their  men  and  whale  boats,  they  marched  early  for  Ta- 
conick.  Christian,  one  of  the  Mohawks,  was  sent  back, 
or  went  of  his  own  accord,  after  they  had  begun  their 
inarch,  and  set  fire  to  the  wigwams  and  to  the  church,  and 
then  rejoined  the  company.  On  the  27th,  they  returned 
to  the  fort  at  Richmond. 

This  was  a  heavy  blow  to  the  enemy  :  more  than  one 

*  Governor  Flutchin^on  sayf,  "  I  find  this  act  of  cruelfj  in  the  account 
^vep  by  (Iarm»n  upon  oath."    Jiist,  vol.  II.  p.  312, 


Chap.  V. 


Cjiap.  V. 


CONNECTICUT. 


77 


lie  care  of 
(rdc-rs  not 
;wain,  oijo 
int  .JaqiK'S 
tat!.     Ji*' 

all^'dgiiit; 
1  liio  wii:- 

nor  takvs 

it  was  the 
his  disap- 
chicf  and 

mm  ivl  U  h 
'his  so  en- 
•  .T'.}  shot 
ai.'i  killed 
I  to  relate 
iicdding  of 
least  of  a 

troops  fell 
le  plunder 
DOty.  As 
few  blan- 
s  of  pow- 
;  the  plate 
;e  to  bring 
iolatry  in 
lich  they 

ields,  did 
was  over. 
It,  under 
Y  counted 
)man  and 
'e  Boma- 
mazqen's 
c  anxious 
y  for  Ta- 
ent  back, 
lun  their 
irch,  and 
returned 

than  one 
he  account 


half  of  their  fighting  men  were  killetl  or  wounded,  and 
most  of  their  princi|)al  warriors.  Charlevoix  says,  "  Al- 
though more  than  two  thousand  shot  had  been  lircd  upon 
them,  yet  there  were  no  more  than  thirty  killed  and  four- 
teen wounded."  He  paints  the  cruelty  and  proianene.ss 
of  the  English  in  very  strong  colours  ;  especially  in  killing 
and  mangling  father  Ralle,  the  Jesuit,  and  in  breaking  tho 
imawe.B,  the  latter  of  which  he  terms  profaning  the  adora- 
ble oody  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  English,  encouraged  by  their  success  at  Norridge- 
wock,  engaged  in  several  other  enterprizes.  Colonel 
Westbrook  marched  with  three  hundred  men  across  the 
country  from  Kennebeck  to  Penobscot,  with  a  view  to  sur- 
prize the  enemy  in  that  quarter.  But  the  only  advantage 
of  the  expedition  was  the  exploration  of  the  condition  of 
that  part  of  the  country,  which  before  was  but  little  known. 

Other  parties  were  ordered  up  Amaseconti,  and  Ama- 
rescoggin,  and  a  second  attempt  was  made  on  Norridgc- 
wock,  but  no  Indians  were  to  be  found  in  those  places. 
The  old  men,  %vomen  and  children  had  been  removed,  and 
the  warriors  were  lurking  in  secret  places,  and  watching 
every  opportunity  to  alarm  and  harass  the  frontiers. 

In  September,  a  party  of  English,  consisting  of  fourteen 
men,  went  out  from  Dunstable  in  search  of  two  r^en  who 
were  missing^  About  thirty  Indians  lay  in  wait  for  them, 
and  shot  dowji  six  and  took  three  prisoners.  A  second 
went  out  and  lost  two  of  their  number.  The  western  fron- 
tier was  better  guarded.  Though  often  alarmed,  little 
damage'  was  done.  At  the  eastward  much  loss  had  been 
(sustained  both  in  men  and  in  vessels.  No  advantages  had 
I).een  derived  by  the  war.  The  people  of  Massachusetts 
tbund  it  a  much  more  serious  business  than  their  house  of 
representatives,  or  they  themselves,  had  imagined. 

At  the  session  in  October,  colonel  Stoddard  was  sent  to 
Crnnecticut,  earnestly  soliciting,  that  the  General  Assem- 
bly would  unite  with  Massachusetts  in  offensive  operations 
against  the  enemy.  The  legislature  however  could  not  be 
persuaded  to  do  any  thing  more  than  they  had  done. 
They  agreed  that  they  would  defend  their  own  fronticra, 
and  those  of  the  county  of  Hampshire. 

They  observed,  that  they  were  not  satisfied  with  respect 
to  the  justice  of  the  waF :  that  though  governor  Saltonstall 
had  been  to  Boston,  and  at  the  desire,  and  upon  a  resolu- 
tion of  the  assembly,  had  taken  much  pains  to  inform  him-, 
self  of  the  grounds  of  it,  they  had  not  been  satisfied ;  nor 
had  they  now  obtained  satisfiaiction  from  the  representations 
of  colonel  Stoddard.     They  further  observed,  That  tJic 


Book  If. 
17J1. 


Colonrl 
Stoddard's 
apjilica- 
tion  to  the 
Gtneral 
Ap«einbly 
of  Con- 
necli'^iit, 
Oct.  1724, 
and  the 
assembly'* 
answer. 


78 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  \  . 


Book  If.  ji;ov«'rniii04il  of  Massacfmsotts  had  not  roiisultod  thorn,  but 
Vi^"*'"^-' proclaimrd  anti  Iwgan  llif*  war  without  their  coiisont,  or 
1723.  pvon  j^ivrn  them  notice.  They  wished  (he  government  of 
Massarhusetts  would  coolly  and  seriously  consider  the 
j^rounils  of  the  war,  lest  much  innocent  blood  should  be 
shed.  At  (he  same  time  they  professed  their  esteem  and 
friendship  for  their  brethren  of  Massachusetts,  and  that  if 
they  had  full  satisfaction  relative  to  the  reasons  of  the  war, 
ihey  should  be  ready  to  engage  in  it  with  i^icalcr  alacrity 
Mml  spirit.  What  efrcct  this  answer  of  the  assembly  had 
on  the  general  court  and  people  of  iVIassachusetts  is  not 
linown  ;  but  it  is  probable  that  it  was  very  considerable, 
jis  they  soon  after  gave  intimations  of  their  willingness  to 
be  at  j)care  with  the  Indians. 

The  government  of  Massachusetts,  to  promote  cnterprize 
i  nd  encourage  volunteers,  raised  the  premium  for  Indian 
scalps  and  prisoners  to  an  hundred  pounds  for  each.  This 
induced  one  John  Lovell,  to  raise  a  company  of  volun- 
teers on  purpose  to  hunt  the  Indians,  and  bring  in  their 
.scalps.  On  his  Hrst  scout  he  got  one  sicalp  and  one  pri- 
soner, which  he  brought  into  Boston  on  the  5th  of  Janu- 
ary, 17'25.  He  took  tnem  more  than  forty  miles  above  the 
lake  of  Winnepesiaukee.  On  a  second  enterpnze,  he  dis- 
covered ten  Indians  round  a  fire,  all  asleep.  He  ordered 
])art  of  his  company  to  fire  on  them  as  they  lay,  and  the 
other  part  to  fire  on  them  as  they  rose.  Three  were 
killed  by  the  first  fire,  and  the  otLi-r  seven  as  they  rcse. 
On  the  3d  of  March  the  ten  scalps  were  brought  to  Boston. 
Animated  by  these  repeated  successes,  he  made  a  third  at- 
tempt with  a  company  of  thirty  three  men.  On  the  8th  of 
iftlay,  they  discovered  an  Indian  on  a  poi  it  of  land  which 
joined  to  a  great  pond  or  lake.  They  were  suspicious 
that,  he  was  set  there  to  draw  them  into  a  snare,  and  that 
there  might  be  many  Indians  at  no  great  distance.  They 
therefore  laid  down  their  packs,  that  they  might  be  pre- 
pared for  action.  They  then  marched  nearly  two  miles 
round  the  pond,  to  kill  or  take  the  Indian  whom  they  had 
discovered.  At  length,  when  the  English  came  within  gun 
.shot,  he  fired  and  wounded  Lovell  and  one  of  his  men 
with  large  shot.  He  was  immediately  shot  and  scalped. 
In  the  mean  time,  a  party  of  about  eighty  Indians  seized 
rhe  packs  of  the  English,  and,  at  a  place  convenient  for 
their  purpose,  waited  for  their  return.  When  they  return- 
t  d,  the  enemy  rose  with  the  Indian  yell,  fired  and  ran  upon 
them  with  their  hatchets,  in  great  fury.  Lovell,  to  se- 
cure his  rear,  retreated  to  the  pond,  and  the  English,  though 
•ilicir  number  w^s  so  unequal,  continued  the  action  five  or 


L*nAp.  V. 


CONNECTICUT. 


7* 


aix  honrs,  until  night.  Captain  Lovrll,  his  lioulennnt,  Book  II. 
I'aiwcH,  and  ensign  Robbins,  wrro  mortally  uountlcd  i-arlv 
ill  tli(.'  action,  and  five  more  were  afterwards  killed.  Six- 
»(0(i  escaped  unhurt,  and  returned,  hut  they  were  oblii^ed 
to  leave  eight  of  their  wounded  companions  in  tlie  wocmIs, 
without  provisions  and  without  a  surgeon.  One  of  them 
was  Mr.  Fry,  their  chaplain,  of  Andovcr,  who  ha«i  be- 
haved with  great  bravery,  had  killed  and  scalped  one  In- 
dian in  the  heat  of  the  action,  but  finally  perished  for  warjt 
of  relief.  Two  of  the  eight  afterwards  got  into  the  En- 
glish scttlemenls.  Fifteen  in  the  whole  were  lost,  and 
eighteen  saved.  This  unfortunate  aftair  discouraged  all 
scalping  parties  for  the  future. 

From  this  time  the  war  languished,  and  nothing  mate- 
rial was  transacted.  The  English  and  Indians  were  both 
weary  of  it,  and  wished  for  peace.  After  the  death  of 
Ralle,  the  Indians  were  at  liberty  to  follow  their  own  in- 
t  linations.  The  Penobscots  began  war  with  the  greatest, 
reluctance,  and  were  now  considered  as  most  inclined  to 
peace.  To  discover  their  feelings,  an  Indian  hostage  was 
suffered  to  go  home  near  the  close  of  the  winter  of  172'!, 
with  a  captive,  on  their  parole.  They  came  back  to  th(? 
fort  at  St.  Georges  on  the  6th  of  February,  accompanied 
with  two  others  of  the  tribe.  They  related,  that  at  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Penobscots,  it  was  agreed  to  make  proposals  of 
peace.  One  of  the  Indians,  who  was  a  sachem,  was  senf 
back  with  the  other  Indian,  to  bring  a  deputation  of  several 
other  chiefs,  for  the  purpose  of  concluding  a  peace.  In 
coHsequence  of  these  measures,  some  time  in  June,  pre- 
liminaries of  peace  were  settled,  and  a  cessation  of  arms 
was  agreed  upon.  Soon  after,  four  delegates  came  to 
Boston  and  signed  a  treaty  of  peace. 

The  next  year,  this  peace  was  more  publicly  ratified  a(; 
Falmouth,  in  Casco  bay.  Lieutenant  governor  Dummer, 
of  Massachusetts,  with  several  gentlemen  of  the  council, 
John  Wentworth,  Esq.  lieutenant  governor  of  New-Hamp- 
slure,  and  Paul  Mascerene,  Esq.  one  of  the  council,  and 
a  commissioiver  of  the  government  of  Nova-Scotia,  were 
parties  in  this  treaty. 

Thus,  after  much  loss  of  blood  and  treasure,  both  to  the 
English  and  the  Indians,  and  without  the  least  advantage 
to  either,  ended  this  unhappy  war.  The  province  of  Mas- 
sachusetts had  their  frontiers  ravaged  for  a  great  icxtcnt, 
lost  between  one  and  two  hundred  brave  men,  and  had 
many  wounded  and  taken  prisoners,  with  eleven  vessels, 
besides  all  the  trouble  and  expense  which  they  had  in- 
curred.   . 


no 


HISTORY  OF 


ClIAF.  \. 


(»l; 


IJooK  II.  Il  vfn%  some  thousands  of  jioiukK  damrt^c  to  Connrrti- 
cut.  Besides  maintaining  soldirrs  at  their  own  out  p>sis. 
about  fifty  or  sixty  were  sent  every  year,  durinc  the  war, 
info  the  county  ol  Hampshire,  to  cover  and  ciefcnd  that 
part  of  the  country.*  These  were  paid  by  Connecticut. 
The  whole  cryiony  was  put  into  a  state  of  warlike  defence, 
liut  suHered  no  loss  of  lives. 

The  treaty  which  was  made  with  the  Indians  nt  Fal- 
mouth, has  been  j^reatly  applauded  as  the  best  treaty  ever 
made  with  the  Indians  in  that  part  of  the  country.  From 
that  time,  there  was  a  long  ami  profound  jMjace  with  them. 
Mut  this  cannot  be  attributed  at  all  to  any  peculiar  excel- 
lence in  the  treaty,  but  entirely  to  other  circumstances. 
The  treaty  was  nothing  different  in  any  thing  important 
from  former  treaties.  They  had  felt  the  ruinous  conse- 
(juences  of  war ;  the  Indians  were  left  more  to  their  own 
inclinations,  and  were  less  under  Jesuitical  and  French  in- 
fluence. The  province  of  Massachusetts  treated  them 
with  more  policy  and  friendship.  The  Indians  had  long 
been  desirous  of  trading  houses,  to  supply  them  with  ne- 
•<:ess  iries,  and  take  on  their  furs  and  skins.  Governor 
Shute  promised  them  thntt  this  should  be  done  for  them, 
but,  as  has  been  observed,  the  general  court  would  make  no 
provision  for  it,  at  that  time.  But  now  ])rovision  was 
jnade,  and  trading  houses  were  crecteil  at  St.  George's. 
Kennebeck  and  S;ico  rivers.  The  Indians  soon  foinid  that 
they  cotdd  purchase  goods  on  better  terms  at  tliese  houses, 
than  they  could  of  the  French,  or  e\  en  of  the  private  En- 
glish traders  among  them.  This  broke  up  their  trade 
with  the  French  and  with  the  private  traders,  by  whom 
they  were  imposed  upon,  defrauded  and  provoked.  Had 
these  measures  been  adopted  before,  as  governor  Shute 
had  proposed,  it  would  doubtless  have  prevented  the  war. 

*  Governor  Hutchinson  observes,  "  Justice  phouUl  be  done  to  the  go- 
vernment of  Connecticut;  they  generally,  at  (he  request  of  Massachusetts, 
wnt  forces  every  year  during  the  summt-r,  in  this  and  former  wars,  and 
pafd  their  wages,  ttie  provisions  being  furnished  by  this  government." 
*  ol.  il.  p.  304,    Connecticut  gave  tiie  men  three  pounds  per  month. 

.  .        ■      .  •  ■        ,  .     ,,  u  ')  '  -. 

•  ..,'■  .       '.  ..'    ■,'.'.  •  V.     'V'-       ■  I  )    >!•■ . 


Chap.  \ . 

)  Connfcfi- 
1  out  piWt>. 
nz  the  war, 
cU'fcnd  that 
Connecticut, 
iko  (Icl'oncc, 

■ins  at  Fal- 
trcaty  over 
try.     From 

with  them, 
ulior  cxccl- 
:umstances. 
15  important 
aous  conse- 
;o  their  own 
I  French  in- 
eatcd  them 
ns  had  \ou^ 
im  with  ne- 
Governor 
10  for  them, 
uld  make  no 
ovision  was 
t.  Cfcorge's. 
n  found  that 
hese  houses, 

irivate  En- 

their  trade 
by  whom 
)ked.  Had 
ernor  Shuto 

ed  the  war. 

lone  to  the  go- 
Massachusetts, 
mer  wars,  and 
government," 
;r  tiiuatL. 


j,;if:,i:'..,i,,' 


r„Ar.  \1.  ClO^N^'^TICITT.  m 


CHAPTER  Vr.  BooKll. 

fi rants  and  settlemmln  of  Ihr  laruls  in  the  colony  which  had 
not  hern  j^ranted  nna  settled  before  the  year  1713;  prin- 
rifntlhf  in  the  counties  of  Windham  and  J^itchfleta,  Jl 
more  particular  arrmtnt  of  the  settlement  of  the  towns  of 
fjchunon  and  J^ewMilford,  than  had  been  given  in  the 
first  volume  of  this  history.  Settlement  of  the  towns  of 
Ashford,  Tolland,  Bolton,  Stafford,  and  Litchfield.  Coun- 
tu  of  JVindham  formed.  Stmiers  and  Willington  settled. 
Incorporation  of  East-Haddam,  Extraordinary  noises 
formerly  heard  in  that  to7on.  Scttlemr  nt  and  incorporation 
of  Union.  Controversy  between  the  government  and  the 
towns  of  Hartford  and  Windsor,  relative  to  the  lands  with- 
■in  the  county  of  Litchfield,  and  the  disorder^  and  troubles 
created  by  it,  in  the  colony.  Agreement  between  the  goV" 
ernment  and  the  said  towns.  T%e  lands  in  controversy 
divided  into  townships  and  measured.  Orders  for  the  sola 
of  those  of  them  belonging  to  the  colony,  at  auction,  at  dif- 
ferent times  and  places.  The  money  arising  from  the  sale 
to  constitute  a  permanent  fund,  for  the  benefit  of  schools  in 
the  colony.  New-Fairfield  settled  and  incorporated.  De- 
scription of  the  new  townships;  their  progressive  sate  and 
settlement* 

THE  township  of  Lebanon  originally  Consisted  of  a  Hum- 
ber  of  parcels  of  land^  purchased  by  different  persons, 
and  at  different  times,  but  finally  united  by  particular  agree- 
ments in  one  town.  There  were  four  proprieties,  as  they 
were  called.  That  which  has  been  called  the  first,  was  a 
purchase  of  five  miles  in  length  and  three  in  width;  extend- 
ing from  Windham  line  on  the  north-east  part,  south-west- 
erly to  the  bounds  of  Hebron  and  Colchester.  This  pur- 
chase was  made  of  Owanecho,  sachem  of  the  Mohet;ans. 
This  grant  bears  date  in  1698,  and  is  called  the  five  n^ilc 
purchase.  The  second  piOpriety,  as  it  has  been  called, 
was  a  tract  of  five  miles  in  length  and  one  in  width,  lying 
$K)uth  of  the  five  mil(^  purchase  and  adjoining  to  it.  This 
is  called  the  Fitch  and  Mason,  or  mile  purchase.  It  was  a 
jjrant  made  by  the  aforesaid  Owanecho  to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Fitch  and  the  famous  Major  John  Mason.  This  grant 
was  made  in  1 695,  and  the  tract  originally  belonged  to 
the  tmvn  of  Norwich. 

The  third  propriety  was  termed  the  Clark  and  Dewy 
purchase,  from  the  names  of  the  first  owoers  and  settlons^ 


T^i 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap. 


Vf. 


\ 


Bf)OK  II.  This  tract  wan  ohf.Mnrd  in  thr  yrar  1706.  !  hin  :i<l|oinr(l 
ih«'  fivf  milr  puithasr  on  the  northerly  side,  rxu  mlirip; 
iVrtrn  ihr  VViiidhiim  honncl.«»on  iho  cuslcrly  pari,  i-  llrltrnii 
on  llir  wcj^HTJy  ;  and   from  thr  said   five  milr   purchase. 


1704. 


thf-rly, 


the   Maii^fu'hl  and  Cf 


the 


ovoniry  houiui^ 
iKirlh  -id«\  It  was  of  a  triangular  form,  lcavin{'  a  small 
^orr  hctwrrn  thr  fivo  mih"  and  Windham  bounus.  Tht- 
ijroalcsl  length  of  the  hypothcnusc  of  the  triangle  was  about 
right  miloH,  and  the  gn  atcsf  breadth  or  {>erpendirular  ai 
the  Hebron  line  was  nearly  six  miles,  forming  a  very  acute 
ant;le  at  the  north-rastrrn  extremity. 

'J'he  fourth  pioprit  t}  the  small  gore  already  mentioned, 
lying  bflwcenthe  five  mile  and  the  Clark  and  Dewy  nur- 
«  hasj',  was  railed  the  Whiting  purchase.  This  was  at)out 
half  a  mile  in  length,  and  from  ten  to  two  hundred  rods  in 
width.  This  was  annexed  to  the  town  of  Lebanon  about, 
the  year  171^.  This  rompkied  the  original  dimensions  of 
the  town. 

These  several  patrols  were  united,  by  agreements  be- 
iween  the  settlers,  about  the  year  1700.  The  settlers  on 
the  one  mile  propriety,  wif^hed,  for  the  convenience  of  pub- 
lic worshit)  and  ecclesiastical  purposes,  to  be  joined  to 
those  of  tiie  five  mile  purchase,  and  an  agreement  was 
made  on  this  condition,  that  the  meeting-house  should  be 
placed  in  the  centre  line  of  the  two  tracts  north  and  south. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  northern  tracts  united  with  the 
soulherti,  in  beginning  a  town  with  iheai.  A  certain  part 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  northern  purchase,  called  the  vil- 
lage, lying  north  of  five  mile  purchase,  upon  their  desire, 
were  admitted  to  associate  in  their  public  worship  with  the 
lirst  society,  until  they  should  be  able  to  support  the  gos- 
pel among  themselves,  upon  this  express  stipulation,  that 
I  hey  would  make  no  attempt  to  disturb  the  then  ^^tablished 
place  of  public  worship.  ,    .    .r,,;. 

New-Milford,  which  is  the  second  town  in  the  county  of 
Litchfield,  and  was  the  chief  scat  of  the  Indian  kingdom,  in 
that  part  of  the  colony,  also  merits  a  more  particular  de- 
scription than  was  given  of  it  in  the  first  volume.  Upon 
the  petition  of  the  people  of  Milford,  in  May,  1702,  the 
General  Assembly  granted  them  libert^ito  purchase  a  town- 
ship at  Wyantenock,*  and  directed  them  to  make  a  report 
of  their  doings  to  the  assembly.  The  next  March  they 
made  an  extensive  purchase  of  the  natives.  In  October, 
1704,  the  legislature  enacted,  that  the  tract  purchased  by 
the  people  of  Milford,  should  be  a  township,  by  the  name 

"'  This  is  the  spslling  on  the  Records ;  but  it  i»  spelt,  Owcantonog^ 

more  generally,  _  , 


Chap.  VT. 

hiH  :i(l|itin('<l 
!,  rxtt  ii(liri^<[ 
,  t"  lirliroii 
{'  purchasj*. 
miiuIh  oil  the 
in;'  a  small 
uiuls.  Tin- 
le  was  about 
cndiculur  at 
a  very  acute 

r  mentioned. 
1  Dewy  nur- 
lis  was  abouc 
Jred  rods  iu 
banon  about, 
imcnsion.s  o1' 

•eements  bc- 
ic  settlers  on 
encc  of  pub- 
be  joined  to 
'eement  was 
se  should  be 
h  and  south, 
ted  with  t^ic 
certain  part 
lied  the  vil- 
their  desire^ 
hip  with  the 
ort  the  gos- 
jlation,  that 
1  established 

le  county  of 
kingdom,  in 
3irticular  dc- 
ime.  Upon 
1702,  the 
^ase  a  town- 
ake  a  report 
March  they 
In  October, 
^rchased  by 
>y  the  name 

Oireantonog^ 


CnAf.  Vf. 


CONNRt'TrCUT. 


•3 


of  Nrw-Milford  ;  and  that  it  shouM  br  siulrd  in  five  \var%.  Book  II 
The  town  plot  to  br  fixed  by  a  conimidco  apiHiinii d  by  iln'  s^-v^^. 
assembly, t     The  town  is  situate  on  bf>th  sides  of  (he  jfoii-    I7ni. 
«.alonick,t  or  Stratfonl   river.     The  river  eiUers  it  at  th«* 


(I 


of 


north-wr-ht  corner,  ami  running  a  meanUriing  course 
.iboiit  twenty  miles,  goes  out  attne  south-cast  corner.  The 
longest  straight  line  of  the  town,  from  noiih-wesit  lo  south- 
rast,  is  about  eighteen  miles.  Its  original  limits  wore  much 
more  extensive  ttian  its  present  boundaries.  Two  consid- 
erable defalcations  have  been  made  from  the  original  town- 
ship. One  at  the  south  end,  west  of  the  river,  which  forms 
a  part  of  the  town  of  Brookfield ;  and  another  on  the  north- 
east comer,  which  Is  now  part  of  the  town  of  Washington, 
comprising  a  large  part  of  the  society  of  New-Preston. 
y\bout  two  miles  below  the  centre  of  the  town,  is  a  fall  in 
the  river,  which  the  Indians  called  Metichawon  ;  the  fiHg- 
lish,  the  Great  Falls.  These  stopped  the  progress  of  the 
large  fish,  and  made  it  formerly  one  of  the  best  fishing 
places  for  shad,  herring,  &c.  in  the  colony.  But  by  rea- 
son of  seines  and  embarrassments  below,  it  is  now  made  of 
little  importance  for  fishing. 

This  township  was  the  principal  seat  of  the  Indians  in 
the  county  of  Litchfield,  The  seat  of  the  chief  sachent 
was  near  the  Great  Falls.  His  name  was  Wehononague, 
a  man  of  uncommon  powers  of  mind,  sober  and  regular  in 
his  life,  who  took  much  pains  to  suppress  the  vices  of  the 
Indians.  When  the  English  were  first  acquainted  with 
him,  he  was  supposed  to  command  about  two  hundred  war- 
riors. The  whole  number  of  Indians  might  be  one  thou- 
sand. The  other  clans  of  Indians  in  the  county,  at  Pom- 
parague,  (Woodbury ;)  Bantom,  (Li'chfield ;;  Piscata* 
cook,  (Kent ;)  Weatauge,  (Salisbury ;)  and  the  adjacent 
parts,  were  supposed  to  be  in  the  strictest  league  of  friend- 
ship with  the  Indians  at  Wyantenock,  otherwise  Oweanlo- 
noge.  The  palace  of  the  chief  sachem,  where  he  com- 
monly resided,  was  near  the  Great  Falls.  The  tradition 
is,  that  it  was  constructed  of  barks,  with  the  smooth  side 
inwards,  on  which  were  pictures  of  all  known  species  of 
beasts,  birds,  fishes  and  insects ;  drawn  bv  an  artist  sent  to 
him  by  a  friendly  prince,  firom  a  great  distance. 

There  was  no  white  man  settled  in  the  township  until 
1707.  This  year  John  Noble,  from  Westfield,  began  the 
settlement.  Sometime  after  he  was  joined  by  John 
Bostwick,  from  Stratford.  But  the  settlement  was  retard- 
ed and  went  on  slowly,  by  reason  of  a  dispute  relative  to  the 

t  Records  of  the  coloDj.         f  Soptettmes  spelt  Ousatonic. 


Crl 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  V'I. 


i1!  il 


Book  II.  title.  One  John  Read  laid  claim  to  a  considerable  tract, 
by  virtue  of  a  purchase  which  he  had  made  of  the  nai  ves  : 
and  the  better  to  support  his  title,  he  now  moved  on  to  the 
land  and  took  formal  possession.  This  was  the  occa- 
sion of  a  tedious  law  suit,  and  much  discouraged  the  set- 
tlers under  the  com|)any's  title.  In  1712,  there  were  but 
twelve  families  in  the  town  ;  but  the  next  year  a  consid- 
erable number  joined  thorn,  and  the  town  was  iiicorpo- 
rated. 

The  first  minister  was  the  Re"  Daniel  Boardman,  or- 
dained, November  21st,  1716.  Finding  Wehononague, 
the  Indian  sachem,  to  be  a  discreet  and  friendly  man,  he 
took  much  pains  to  instruct  him,  and  from  the  character- 
he  cave  of  him,  it  appears  that  he  professed  repentance 
for  his  sins  and  faith  in  Christ,  and  died  a  christian.  In 
a  letter  to  a  particular  gendeman,  he  calls  him,  "  That 
"  distinguished  sachem,  whose  great  abilities  and  eminent 
*'  virtues,  joined  with  his  extensive  dominion,  rendered  iiinj 
*'  the  most  potent  prince  of  that  or  any  other  day  in  this 
"  colony :  and  his  name  ought  to  be  recorded  by  the  faith- 
"  ful  historian  as  much  as  that  of  any  crowned  bead  since 
*•  his  was  laid  in  the  dust," 

These  Indipn^,  about  the  years  1742  and  1743,  were 
visited  by  the  Moravian  missionaries,  under  count  Zinzin- 
dorf.  These  missionaries  tarried  with  them  several  years, 
and  appeared  to  be  very  religious,  peaceable,  inoffensive 
men.  At  this  time  there  appeared  to  be  almost  a  perfect 
reformation  among  those  Indians.  Almost  their  whole  dis- 
course, when  among  the  English,  was  upon  religious  sub- 
jects. Nearly  5jn  hundred  and  twenty  were  baptized, 
principally  at  Piscatacook,  or  I^ent.  They  spent  much  of 
their  time  in  religious  worship,  public  and  private.  After 
some  timp,  the  missionaries  prevailed  with  them  to  reinove 
to  Bethlehem,  in  Pennsylvanisi.  This  change  of  climate 
proved  fatal  to  many  of  them^  especially  the  old  people. 
The  remnant  of  them,  discouraged  by  gipkness,  returned 
to  Piscatacook.  They  appeared  to  forget  their  religion, 
fell  into  intemperance  ana  appeared  to  be  wasting  away.* 

As  the  settlement  of  the  l^ndg  granted  by  the  royal  char- 
ter was  an  object  constantly  kept  in  view  by  the  legisla- 
ture, iand  which  they  were  anxiously  engaged  to  effect, 
they  selected  convenient  tracts  of  land  and  laid  them  out 
into  townships,  and  gave  all  proper  encouragements  to  ad- 
venturers who  were  willing  to  encounter  the  hardships  and 
<langers  of  new  settlements,    ^s  there  was  a  good  tract  of 

*  Manuscripts  of  an  aged  worthy  gentleman  of  Nen-y!ilford,  compared 

)vith  thv  Moruviaa  printed  account  pf  jui^gions. 


Chap  VI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


8.V 


land   lying  west  of  Pomfrct,  and  north  of  ManslicUl,    ad- Book  If. 
joining  Crystal  Pond,  they,  in  1 70t>,  granted  a  township  v^-v^s-/ 
six  miles  s(juare,  by  the  name  of  Ashford.     The  settle- 
ment of  the  town,  however,  did  not  commence  until  1710, 
when  two  families  moved  on  to  the  lands,     lu  about  four  ^,j,f^^ 
years  the  inhabitants  were  so  increased,   that  upon  their  jncorpo- 
petition,*  in  1714,  the  Assembly  vested  them  with  the  priv-  rattd, 
ileges  of  a  distinct  town.     Their  first  minister  was  the '^'■'• 
Rev.  James  Hale,  ordained,  November  26th,  1718.    The 
Crystal  pond,  mentioned  in  the  grant  of  the  township, 
is  at  t«!ie  north  cast  corner  of  the  town.     It  is  about  a  mile 
in  length,  north  and  south,  and  half  a  mile  in  breadth. 
Why  It  was  named  the  Crystal  pond,  is   not  knowiat 
this  day ;  the  conjecture  however  is,  that  it  was  derived 
from  the  clcarpess  of  the  water,  and  the  whiteness  of  the 
)iand  at  the  south  end  of  the  pond. 

About  the  same  time  measures  were  adopted  for  the  set- 
tlement of  another  township  in  the  same  vicinity.  A  num- 
ber of  gentlemen  in  Windsor,  made  a  purchase  of  the  na- 
tive proprietors  of  a  tract  six  miles  square,  lying  north  of 
Coventry,  and  east  of  the  ancient  boundaries  of  Windsor. 
In  1713,  they  appointed  a  committee  who  laid  out  a  num- 
ber of  lots,'  and  made  grants  to  such  as  were  willing  to  be- 
come purchasers.  Upon  the  petition  of  the  Windsor  claim-  T""^"** 
ants,  the  Assembly,  in  1713,  incorporated  them  by  the  ^^^4°!]^' 
name  of  Tolland*  It  was  bounded  south  on  Coventry,  east  1715. 
on  Willamantic  river,  and  is  now  bounded  west  partly  on 
Bolton  and  partly  on  East- Windsor,  or  what  is  called 
Ellington.  Its  north  boundary  was  also  East- Windsor,  or 
Ellington.  Two  families  the  same  year  began  the  settle- 
ment of  the  town.  But  the  progress  of  the  settlement  was 
very  slow.  In  1720,  the  number  of  families  was  but  twen- 
ty eight.  About  one  half  of  the  township,  comprising  the 
south  part,  was  claimed  by  a  number  of  gentlemen,  who 
were  legatees  of  Joshua  Uncas,  sachem  of  the  Mohegan 
Indians.  This  proved  to  be  a  source  of  great  difliculty 
and  trouble  ;  and,  doubtless,  very  considerably  retarded 
the  settlement  of  the  t(nyn.  The  legatees  commenced 
suits  at  law  against  the  settlers :  and  while  the  title  of  the 
land  was  in  controversy,  the  legislature  declined  giving 
them  a  patent.  The  affi^  ir  finally  came  to  this  issue.  The 
proprietors  holding  under  the  Windsor  claimants  were 
obliged,  at  a  dear  rate,  to  purchase  quitclaims  of  the  le< 
gatees  of  Joshua.  In  consequence  of  this,  the  patent  of  the 
town  was  granted,  by  the  governor  and  company,  in  1 728. 
In  the  Beginning  of  the  year  1720,  Mr.  Stephen  Steel, 
then  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  began  to  preach  in  thi$ 


86 


JIISTORV  OK 


Chap.  VI. 


Book  II. 


Staflbnl 
ff.ttkd, 
IIVJ. 


I)e<icrip' 
tion  i,r 
Sladord 


town,  and  after  laborins;  about  two  years  with  the  proplc, 
he  was  ordained,  in  February  1722.  pastor  of  the  churrV 
I71C.  and  congregation  in  Tolland.  He  continued  inthemin  j- 
try  about  thirty  seven  years.  He  was  a  worthy  minister, 
greatly  loved  and  revered  by  his  people  until  his  death. 

Nearly  at  the  same  time,  when  the  settlement  of  Tolland 
commenced,  the  governor  and  company  sold  the  tract  of 
land,  since  named  Stafibrd.  It  was  surveyed  in  1718,  and 
the  next  spring  the  settlement  began.  The  ]>rincipal  set- 
tlers were  twelve  ;  two  of  them,  Mr.  Robert  White  and 
Mr.  Matthew  Thompson,  were  from  Europe.  The  War- 
ners, Samuel  and  John,  were  from  Hadley  ;  the  Bloggets, 
Daniel  and  Josiah,  were  from  Woburn  ;  Cornelius  l)avi« 
was  from  Haverhill,  Daniel  Colburn  from  Dedham,  John 
Pasko  from  Enfield,  Josiah  Standish  from  Preston,  Joseph 
Orcutt,  from  Weymouth,  and  Benjamin  Rockwell,  from 
Windsor.  Mr.  John  Graham  was  their  first  pastor,  call- 
ed to  the  ministry  January  17th,  1723,  and  soon  after  or- 
dained.* 

This  town  is  famous  for  the  mineral  springs  which  have 
been  discovered  in  it;  and  for   the   remarkable    cures 
which  have  been  effected  by  their  waters.     The  springs 
are  two  in  number.    That  which  was  first  discovered  con- 
tains iron  held  in  solution  by  the  carbonic  acid,  or  fixed 
air,  natron  or  native  alkali,  a  small  portion  of  marine  salt, 
and  some  earthy  substances.     The  other,  %vhich  was  first 
used  about  seven  or  eight  years  since,  is  charged  princi- 
pally with  the  hydrogene  gas  of  sulphur :  it  also  contain* 
a  very  minute  portion  of  iron.t     The  spring  first  discov- 
ered, has  been  pronounced  by  chemists,  to  be  one  of  the 
best  of  the  chalybeate  springs  in  the  United  States.     The 
Indian  natives  made  the  first  discovery  of  these  mineral 
waters  to  the  English  inhabitants,  and  recommended  them 
as  beneficial  in  various  complaints.    For  a  number  of  years 
after  the  settlement  of  the  town  commenced,  they  annually 
resorted  to  the  springs,  drank  the  waters,  and  bathed  in 
them.     They  represented  to  the  English,  that  the  waters 
made  them  feel  lively.     But  it  was  not  until  about  the 
year  1 765,  that  these  mineral  waters  came  into  general  use 
and   reputation.     In  the  summer  of   that    year,   a  Mr, 
Field,  of  East  Windsor,  who  had  for  many  months  been 
afflicted  with  an  obstinate  cutaneous  complaint,  which  had 
entirely  resisted  all  previous  applications,  had  recourse  to 
the  mineral  waters  of  Stafford,  and  obtained  a  perfect  cure. 

*  The  May  following. 

t  Profusgor  Siliiman  examined  these  springs  in  1819,  abd  differs  in 
opinion  from  Doctor  VVillard  relative  to  them.  He  is  positive  that  there 
is  a  very  essential  differeace  between  the  waters  ia  t^e  two  ^priogs. 


Chap,  \L 

h  the  people, 
)f  the  churrK 

in  the  mir  .3- 
thy  minister, 
I  his  death, 
nt  of  Tolland 
d  the  tract  of 

in  1718,  and 
[jrincipal  set- 
•t  White  and 
.  The  War- 
the  Blog>2;et.s, 
melius  l)avi« 
edham,  John 
;ston,  Joseph 
ckwell,  from 
t  pastor,  call- 
soon  after  or- 

s  which  have 
•kable    cures 

The  springs 
icovered  cca- 
icid,  or  lixed 
f  marine  salt, 
lich  was  first 
arged  princi- 
ailso  contains 

first  discov- 
»e  one  of  the 
jtates.  The 
hese  mineral 
aended  them 
iber  of  years 
ley  annually 
d  bathed  in 
t  the  waters 
;il  about  the 
I  general  use 
rear,  a  Mr. 
nonths  been 
:,  which  had 

recourse  to 
)erfect  cure. 

atad  differs  in 
itive  (hat  there 


<   HAP.  VI. 


CONxNECTICUT. 


37 


lie  soon  made  public  the  woiidcrful  relief  wiiich  he  had  Book  II. 
(  xpcrienced  by  the  use  of  (hese  waters,     lii  consequence  s^'^^'^^mf 
ot  his  publication,  visitots  soon  began  totlocktothc  springs    1719. 
iioni  it II  quarters,  and  for  almost  all  complaints.     From 
iliat  lime  10  the  present,  there  has  boon  a  greater  or  less 
resort  annually,   to  these  springs,   for  the  benefit  of  their 
laiiieral  waters.    For  the  last  four  or  five  years,  the  annual 
resort  has  greatly  increased.     AVilhin  that  term  of  time, 
the  number  of  visitors  has  been   from  about  six  to  nine 
jiuiidred  annually.     The  receipts  from  the  hotel  and  the 
other  boarding  houses,  amount,  by  estimation,  yearly,  to 
live  or  six  thousand  dollars.     During  the  season  for  com- 
pany, this  resort  forms  a  good  market  for  the  farmers  in 
ihc  vicinity,  and  is  a  very  considerable  emolument  to  the 
town. 

Tiie  complaints  in  which  these  waters  have  been  most 
beneficial,  are,  cntaneous  affections  generally ;  obstinate 
ulcers  of  almost  every  description ;  loss  of  appetite  and 
indigestion ;  dropsies  in  the  first  stages ;  almost  all  cases 
of  general  debility  ;  nervous  head-aches,  weakness  of  the 
eyes,  and  several  kinds  of  fits.  They  have  also  been 
found  very  beneficial  in  various  complaints  peculiar  to  ihc 
fair  sex.  The  waters  have  a  strong  ferruginous  taste,  and 
when  first  drank,  frequently  occasion  nausea,  even  to 
puking.  They  also  often  operate  as  a  cathartic ;  and, 
almost  universally,  as  a  diuretic.  As  a  permanent  tonic, 
these  waters  are  estimated  as  superior  to  almost  all  others 
in  America. 

The  springs  are  situated  on  the  principal  turj  o  ke  road 
from  Hartford  to  Boston.  The  natural  state  of  tiie  country 
about  the  springs  is  pleasing,  wild  and  romantic.  Much 
has  been  done  by  art,  to  render  the  beauties  of  its  situation 
still  more  attractive  and  captivating. 

Stafford  is  not  only  famous  for  its  mineral  springs,  but  for  j^on  mann- 
ihe  quantity  and  excellency  of  the  iron  which  is  annually  factories. 
ipanufactured  by  its  inhabitants.  In  1779,  Mi.  John 
Phelps,  and  company,  built  a  blast  furnace  on  a  large  scale, 
Avhich  annually  produces  from  80  to  an  1 20  tons  of  hollow 
ware  and  other  castings.  Cannon,  cannon  shot,  and  a  vast 
variety  of  patterns  for  manufactures,  and  other  descriptions 
of  machinery  are  cast  at  this  furnace.  In  1796,  a  new  fur- 
nace was  erected  by  Mr.  Nathaniel  Hyde,  and  company. 
The  products  of  tms  furnace,  have  averaged  about  90  or 
92  tons  annually.  All  the  varieties  of  castings  are  done 
at  this  furnace,  that  of  cannon  excepted,  which  have  been 
effected  at  the  ether:  The  price  of  hollow  ware,  in  1814, 
was  60  dollars  per  ton,  and  iron  of  solid  castings  5  cents 


ifte'i 


8C 


iilSTORY  OF 


Chap.  VI. 


1719, 


liooK  II.  |irr  j)Oun(J.  The  StalTord  iron  is  olan  excellent  quality  -, 
s^^,^-^^  it  is  esteemed  sol'ler  and  tougher  than  any  other  in  Ncw- 
Enc;land.  It  is  preferred  to  any  other,  for  the  numero  js 
cotton  mills,  and  other  machinery  in  the  various  parts  of 
the  country.  The  ore  used  in  these  furnaces  is  the  iow- 
land,  or  bog  ore.  This  is  obtainable  in  ahnost  all  parts 
of  the  town,  and  several  of  the  neighboring  towns.  There 
are  two  forges  in  the  town  for  the  manufacturing  of  refined 
and  bloonicry  iron.  Two  cotton  mills  have  been  erected 
within  (he  town,  a  few  years  since,  from  which  considera- 
ble advantages  are  expected.  « 

Besides  these  sources  of  emolument,  there  is  a  fine 
quarry  of  white  fire  proof  stone,  in  the  northerly  part  of 
West  Stafford,  which  has  been  exported  to  a  great  dis- 
tance for  furnace  hearths.  This  has  been  a  capital  source 
of  revenue  to  the  proprietor. 

The  face  of  the  country  in  Stafford  is  generally  hilly, 
and  in  ^Vesl  Stafford  it  is  mountainous  :  the  land  is  rough 
and  hard  of  cultivation,  but  the  soil  is  strong,  and  repays 
the  husbandman,  with  good  interest :  the  land  is  generally 
excellent  for  grazing  and  orcharding,  and  the  beef  and 
cider  of  the  town,  are  said  to  be  of  a  superior  quality  :  the 
air  is  pure  and  salubrious :  the  uneven  face  of  the  coun- 
try, and  the  plenteousness  of  its  waters,  afford  a  number  of 
excellent  scites  for  mills  and  manufactories.  In  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  the  mineral  springs,  the  two  branches 
of  the  Willamantic,  afford  water  sufficient  for  a  manufac- 
turing village,  which,  in  a  number  of  years,  may  not  im- 
probably be  realized. 

Bolton  was  as  early  a  settlement  as  Stafford.  It  was 
granted,  and  to  be  laid  ovit  in  fifty  allotments.  One  was 
to  be  reserved  for  the  first  minister,  and  forty  nine  were  to 
be  settled  ;  and  each  allotment  was  to  be  taxed  forty  five 
shillings  annually,  for  four  years,  for  the  settlement  and 
maintenance  of  a  minister.  The  town  is  about  nine  miles 
and  an  half  in  length,  from  south  to  north,  and  three  miles 
in  breadth.  It  is  bounded  south  by  Hebron,  on  the  east, 
p?  ly  by  Coventry  and  partly  by  Tolland,  north,  partly  by 
Tolland  and  partly  by  Ellington,  and  west,  partly  by  East 
Windsor  and  East  Hartford,  and  partly  by  Glastenbury. 
The  firsjt  settlers  were  Pitkins,  Talcotts,  Loomises,  Olcotts, 
Bissells,  Bishops,  Strongs  and  Darts,  principally  from  the 
towns  of  Hartford,  Windsor  and  Wethersfield.  The  set- 
tlement of  the  town  began  about  the  year  1616,  or  1617, 
but  the  first  town  meeting  was  not  until  1720.  In  Octo- 
coijporated  j^^j,^  ^^^  same  year,  the  town  was  incorporated.  In  May, 
1725,  the  inhabitanis  obtamcd  liberty  of  the  General  Aj: 


Bolton  in- 


I 


Chap.  VI. 

lent  quality  ; 
thcr  in  New- 
he  numcro  js 
ions  parts  lA 
s  is  the  iow- 
ost  all  parts 
wns.  There 
ng  of  refined 
been  erected 
;h  considera- 

re  is  a  fine 
herly  part  of 
a  great  dis- 
ipital  source 

lerally  hilly, 
and  is  rough 
,  and  repays 

is  generally 
tie  beef  and 
quality :  the 
of  the  coun- 
a  number  of 
In  the  im- 
vo  branches 

a  manufac- 
raay  not  im- 

•rd.     It  was 

One  was 

line  were  to 

id  forty  five 

lement  and 

L  nine  miles 

three  miles 

on  the  east, 

1,  partly  by 

tly  by  East 

lastenbury. 

es,  Olcotts, 

ly  from  the 

The  se.- 

,  or  1617, 

In  Octo- 

In  May, 

reneral  Aj- 


Chap.  VI. 


CONNECTICIT. 


fi9 


i 


mbl 


S( 

was 
1725 


to  form  a  rhunh.     The  first  ministrr  of  the  town  Book  II. 
le  Rev.  Thomas  White,    ordained  Ociobcr  JUih, 


tlic 


1721. 


WlilU'  these  settlements  were  making  in  the  north  east- 
ern part  of  the  colony,  a  number  of  gciitlcmcn  from  n;»rt- 
ford  and  Windsor,  undertook  the  settlement  of  the  town  of 
Litchfield,  in  the  north  westcri?  part,  on  the  laniLs  chiimed 
by  the  governor  and  comjKiny,  and,  in  dispute  between 
them  and  the  towns  of  Hartford  and  Windsor.  The  town- 
ship, in  extent,  was  about  ten  miles  east  and  west,  and  nine 
north  and  south.  It  is  bounded  east  by  Waterbury  river, 
.south  by  Plymouth,  Watertown,  Bethlem  and  Washington, 
West  by  Shepaug  river,  and  north  by  Goshen  and  Torring- 
ton.  A  small  number  began  the  settlement  in  1720.  The  Litchfield 
next  year,  a  considerable  number  moved  on  to  the  tract  tlgi^*'* 
from  Hartford  and  Windsor.  A  company  also  went  on 
from  Lebanon,  and  carried  with  them  a  Mr.  Collins,  who 
was  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  to  preach  with  them. 
The  town  was  surveyed,  and  laid  out  in  sixty  four  rights 
or  allotments.  Three  of  these  were  reserved  for  public 
uses.  One  was  to  be  given  to  the  first  minister,  to  be  his, 
and  to  descend  to  his  heirs  for  ever.  A  second  right  was 
to  be  reserved  for  the  use  of  the  minister  during  his  minis^ 
try.  The  third  was  reserved  for  the  benefit  of  a  school* 
Sixty  one  rights  were  sold  at  public  vendue. 

Mr.  Timothy  Collins,  who  went  on  with  the  company 
from  Lebanon,  was  elected  the  first  minister  of  the  town  ; 
and  was  ordained  June  19th,  1723. 

As  this  was  then  a  frontier  town,  and  as  mischief  wa» 
in  several  instances  done  there,  three  houses  were  for- 
tified with  pickets,  one  on  town  hill,  and  one  east  and 
west  of  it,  at  a  mile's  distance  or  more.  A  garrison  was 
kept  there  in  time  of  danger,  for  the  defence  of  the 
inhabitants.* 

*  In  1723,  two  ladians  lurprised  and  captivated  one  Jacob  Griswold^ 
as  lie  was  labouring  in  his  field ;  bound  him,  and  carried  him  into  the  wU- 
dcrness  about  twenty  miles.  They  then  stopped  and  made  a  fire,  and 
i'asteninK  him  down,  one  of  them  laid  himself  down  to  rest,  and  the  other 
watched  him.  Griswold,  unnoticed  by  his  keeper,  disengaged  himself 
from  all  the  cords  which  had  bound  him,  except  the  one  which  bound  his 
elbows.  When  the  Indian  appeared  to  be  awake,  and  to  have  his  eye 
upon  him,  ke  lay  as  still  as  pos.^ible,  but  when  he  drowsed  and  had  not  his 
eye  upon  him,  he  employed  all  his  art  and  vigor  to  set  himself  at  liberty. 
At  length  he  disengaged  himself  from  the  cord  which  fastened  his  arms, 
and  perceiving  that  thie  Indians  were  asleep,  he  sprang,  caught  both  their 
guns,  and  leaped  into  the  woods.  Their  powder  horns  were  hung  upoa 
their  guns,  so  that  he  brought  off  both  their  arms  and  ammunition.  He 
secreted  himself  by  a  rock  until  the  morning  appeared,  and  then  steered 
(or  Litchfield,  guided  by  a  brook  which  he  imagined  would  lead  him  to 
»the  towrv.    The  Indiaofl  pursued  him ;  but  when  they  approached  bidi,  be 

M 


Hb 


rilSTORY  OF 


Chap.  Vf. 


I 


1 720. 

^^  illiii.;<nn 


Book  l\.  Nfftrly  rif  flip  snmo  fime,  VVillin^ton  was  laid  out,  and 
sclilcmpnts  were  maHr.  At  the  session  in  May,  1720, 
it  was  sold,  and  j^ranfed,  by  the  governor  and  compj)- 
ny,  for  live  hundred  and  ten  ponmls,  to  the  followii.g 
genflrnien  ;  Roger  Wolcott,  Esq.  of  Windsor,  John  Burr, 
of  Fairfield.  John  Higgs,  of  Derby,  Samuel  Gunn  and 
(Jrorge  Clark  of  Milford,  John  Stone  and  Peter  Pratt,  of 
Hartford,  and  Ebcnezcr  Fitch.  A  few  families  had  set- 
tled on  the  lands  before  the  sale  of  them.  The  town 
is  about  seven  miles  in  length,  from  north  to  south,  and 
about  five  in  breadth.  It  is  bounded  north  by  Stafford, 
west  on  Willainantic  river,  which  divides  it  from  Tolland  ; 
on  the  south  by  Mansfield,  and  on  the  east  by  Ash- 
ford.  The  planters  were  from  various  parts  of  New-Eng- 
liMid,  and  they  moved  on  to  the  lands,  one  after  an- 
other, in  a  very  scattering  manner.  In  1728,  the  towa 
had  such  a  nuiiilTer  of  inhabitants  as  to  be  able  to  sct- 
(Ic  a  minister,  and  on  the  20th  of  September,  the  Rev. 
Daniel  Fuller,  was  ordained  to  the  pastoral  office  over 
ihc  church,  and  congregation.*  The  rateable  inhabit- 
ants at  the  time  of  his  ordination  were  no  more  than 
twenty  seven. 

The  eastern  part  of  the  colony  was  now  generally  set« 
tied,  and  the  number  of  towns  was  so  increased,  that  the 
legislature,  at  the  session  in  May,  1726,  judged  it  expedi- 
ent to  form  a  new  county  in  that  quarter.  It  was  enacte^,- 
That  the  towns  of  Windham,  Lebanon,  Plainfield,  Canter- 
bury, Mansfield,  Coventry,  Pomfret,  Killingly,  Ashford, 
Voluntown,  and  Mortlake,t  should  be  a  distinct  county,  of 
which  it  was  ordained  that  Windham  should  be  and  con- 
tinue to  be  the  county  or  head  town. 
About  the  sanu-  time  Somers,  East-Haddam,  and  Union, 

■\voti]rl  lay  dcTi  one  gun  and  present  the  other,  and  they  would  draw  back 
;ind  hide  themi^elve?,  and  he  made  his  escape  to  the  town.  A  guard  of 
thirty  men  was  immediately  dispatched  to  Litchfield,  to  keep  garriaoa 
tiiere.  No  further  mischief  was  done  in  the  town  that  year.  But  the 
next  year,  at  Uie  commenceirent  of  the  summer,  the  Indians  killed  one 
Harris,  as  he  was  lahoring  ii  .iis  field. 

*  So  reniarkahle  was  the  health  of  the  towri,  that  for  fourteen  years 
uftcr  Mr.  Fuller's  ordination,  but  one  head  of  a  family  died  out  of  it. 

+  Mortlake  was  a  township  of  land  originally  granted  by  the  legislature 
of  Connecticut  to  one  Mr.  Blackwell,  an  English  gentleman,  supposed  to 
have  been  a  native  of  Mortlake,  a  village  in  Snrry,  in  England,  on  the  rivei" 
Thames.  Mr.  Blackweli,  for  a  considerable  time,  kept  the  possession  of 
it,  without  making  settlements  upon  it,  as  had  been  expc 'ted  at  the  time 
of  the  grant.  He  afterwards  made  sale  of  it  to  Governor  Belcher,  of  Mas- 
sachusetts. Bnt  lie  also  neglected  the  sale,  and  settlement,  cxceptiog  in 
f  ome  few  instances.  The  General  Assembly  therefore  annulled  the  grant, 
and  affixed  the  said  tract  to  the  town  of  Pomfret,  to  which  it  adjoiacd.  It 
lies  principally,  if  not  wholly,  in  the  parish  of  Brooklyn. 


Chap.  Vf. 

lid  out,  and 
May,  1720, 
and  compa- 
le  followii.g 
,  John  Burr, 
1  Gunn  and 
ter  Pratt,  of 
ies  had  set- 
The  town 
0  south,  ond 
by  StaflbrcJ, 
)m  Tolland ; 
ist  by  Ash- 
)f  NeW'Eng- 
ne  after  an- 
18,  the  town 
able  to  sct- 
er,  the  Rev. 
;  office  over 
ble  inhabit- 
)  more  than 

enerally  set- 
sed,  that  the 
d  it  expedi- 
vas  enacted, 
eld,  Cantei'- 
ly,  Ashford, 
ct  county,  of 
be  and  con- 

,  and  Union, 

oold  draw  back 
n.  A  guard  ot' 
keep  garrison 
year.  But  the 
ians  killed  one 

fourteen  year-a 
d  out  of  it. 
f  the  legislature 
in,  supposed  to 
nd,  on  the  rivei" 
tie  possession  of 
ted  at  the  time 
telcher,  nf  Mas- 
i,  excepting  in 
ulled  the  grant, 
it  adjoiaed.     It 


Chap.  Vf. 


coNN^:cTI(:l:T. 


n 


SoiTJPT* 

inaJi'  i^ii 
I'ci'lcsia*- 
tical  socie- 
ty, l7-,'»). 


were,  settled,  and  soon  after  inrorporalod.  Smnrrs  wns  Rook  II. 
ihe  south-east  part  of  ihe  ancient  town  of  S[)rinuficl(l,  i^niiii- 
rd  by  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to  Mr.  I'viu  ii- 
<^n  and  his  company.  It  was  afterwards  incorporated  with 
the  town  of  Enfield,  and  was  part  of  the  same  ecclesiastical 
society,  and  so  continued  to  be  until  about  the  year  1726, 
when  it  was  made  a  distinct  ecclesiastical  society,  by  the 
General  Court  of  Massachusetts,  by  the  name  of  East-F^n- 
ficld.  The  town  of  Enfield,  when  ijicorporated,  extended 
from  Connecticut  river  to  Stafford,  ten  miles ;  and  wa>» 
more  than  six  miles  in  breadth.  When  the  line  was  run 
between  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  in  1713,  a  gore 
was  cut  off  on  the  north-east  corner,  in  the  form  of  a  trian- 
gle. The  breadth  of  the  gore  at  the  east  end,  is  about 
three  quarters  of  a  mile,  and  runs  to  a  point,  after  extend- 
ing to  the  west  about  five  miles  and  an  half.  This  is  the 
breadth  of  the  present  town  of  Somers,  at  the  north  end. 
The  length  of  the  town  is  about  six  miles.  The  first  pei-- 
son  who  moved  on  to  this  tract,  was  Benjamin  Jones,  of 
Welch  extraction.  He  was  from  Enfield ;  and  in  1 706  mov- 
ed on  to  the  lands,  where  he  resided  in  the  summer,  but 
moved  back  in  the  winter,  and  at  other  times  when  danger 
was  apprehended.  But  no  permanent  settlement  was  made 
until  1713,  when  Edward  Kibbe,  James  Pease,  Timothy 
Root,  and  Robert  Montgomery,  with  their  families,  joined 
with  Jones,  and  made  a  durable  settlement.  Soon  after, 
several  other  families  became  residents  in  the  town.  Their 
first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Samuel  Allis,  who  was  ordained 
on  the  13th  of  March,  1727,  At  the  time  of  his  ordination, 
the  society  consisted  of  thirty  families,  In  1734,  the  Gen- 
eral Court  of  Massachusetts  incor})orated  the  society,  vest- 
ing it  with  all  the  privileges  of  other  towns  in  the  province, 
by  the  name  of  Somers.  It  is  said  to  have  been  thus  na- 
med at  the  request  of  governor  Belcher,  in  honour  of  lord 
Somers,  foi  whom  he  had  a  peculiar  friendship  and  vene- 
ration. 

The  same  year  East-IIaddam  was  made  a  distinct  town. 
ItAvas  mad^  a  distinct  society  in  October,  1700.  The  first 
minister  was  the  Rev,  Stephen  Hosmer.  He  was  gradu- 
ated at  Cambridge,  1699,  and  ordained  May  3d,  1 704.  In 
1713,  the  assembly  granted  the  inhabitants  liberty  to  tax 
themselves,  apparently  as  a  diHiinct  town ;  but  they  were 
not  incorporated,  and  completely  vested  with  all  town  pri- 
vileges, until  May,  1734. 

The  Indian  name  of  the  town  was  Machemoodus,  which, 
in  English,  is  the  place  of  noises  ^  a  name  given  with  the 
utmost  propriety  to  the  place.    The  accomic^  given  of  the 


Somers  in- 
corpora- 
ted, ird\ 


Edst-Had- 
(lam  incoi- 
porateil, 
1734. 


fft 


irisTORY  or 


Chap.  Vf, 


vm 


Book  IF,  noisr^  and  fjiinkings  ihcrc,  are  very  irmnrkablc.     Were  if 

^''^'*'''^^  not  that  the  people  are  ar i:uslomed  to  Jhem,  they  wonhl 

1734.    occasion  great  alarm.     The  Rev.  Mr.  Hosmer,  in  a  lef- 

Arcountoftrr  to  Mr.  Prince,  of  Bostonv>vritten  August  13th,   1729, 

innn'SISi  f^'^^**  this  account  of  them:-?X'As  to  the  carthcjuakcs,  I 

in  Kant-     "  have   something  considerable  atid  awful  to  tell    you, 

Haddajn,    "  Earthquakes  have  been  here,  (and  no  where  but  in  this 

"  precinct,  as  can  be  discerned;  that  is,  they  seem  to  have 

"  their  centre,  rij^c  and   origin  among  us,)  as  has  been 

"  observed  for  more  than  thirty  years.     I   have  been  in- 

''  formed,  that  in  this  place,  before  the  English  scttlementS| 

"  there  were  great  numbers  of  Indian  inhabitants,  and  that 

"  it  was  a  place  of  extraordinary  Indian  Pmoaws,  or,  in 

"  short,  that  it  was  a  place  where  the  Indians  drove  a  j)ro- 

"  digious  trade  at  worshipping  the  devil.     Also  I  was  in- 

*'  formed,  that,  many  years  past,  an  old  Indian  was  asked, 

"  What  was  the  reason  of  the  noises  in  this  place  ?     To 

"  which  he  replied,  that  the  Indian's  God  was  very  angry 

"  because  Englishmen's  G  *d  was  come  here. 

"  Now  whether  there  be  any  thing  diabolica!  in  these 
"  things,  I  know  not;  but  this  1  know,  that  God  Almighty 
"  is  to  be  seen  and  trembled  at,  in  what  has  been  often 
"  heard  among  us.  Whether  it  be  fire  or  air  distressed  in 
*'  the  subterraneous  caverns  of  the  earth,  cannot  be  known ; 
"  for  there  is  no  einiption,  no  explosion  perceptible,  but 
"  by  sounds  and  tremors,  which  sometimes  are  very  fearful 
*t  and  dreadful.  I  have  myself  heard  eight  or  ten  sound.s 
"  successively,  and  imitating  small  arms,  in  the  space  of 
"  five  minutes.  I  have,  I  suppose,  heard  several  hundreds 
"  of  them  within  twenty  years ;  some  more,  some  less  ter- 
"  rible.  Sometimes  we  have  heard  them  almost  every  day, 
"  and  great  numbers  of  them  in  the  space  of  a  year.  Often 
*'  times  I  have  observed  them  to  be  coming  down  from  the 
"  north,  imitating  slow  thunder,  until  the  sound  cameneaf 
"  or  right  under,  and  then  there  seemed  to  be  a  breaking 
*'  like  the  noise  of  a  cannon  shot,  or  severe  thunder,  which 
"  shakes  the  houses,  and  all  that  is  in  them.  They  have 
*'  in  a  manner  ceased,  since  the  great  earthquake.  As  I 
"  remember,  there  have  been  but  two  heard  since  that  lime, 
"  and  those  but  moderate."  X 

A  worthy  gentleman,  about  si^  years  since,  gave  the 
following  account  qf  them!  y*  The  awful  noises,  of  which 
^  "  Mr,  Hosmer  gave  an  accoorit,  in  his  historical  minutes ; 

"  and  concerning  Avhich  you  desire  further  information, 
*'  continue  to  the  present  time.  The  effects  they  produce, 
"  are  various,  as  the  intermediate  degrees,  between  the 
f  roar  of  a  catjnon  and  the  mm  of  a  pistoU    ^he  concust 


Chap.  VI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


•9H 


ca!  in  these 


<( 


u 


n 


sions  of  the  earth,  ma«le  at  thr  same  time,  arc  as  much  Book  11. 
diversilio(J  an  the  sounds  iti  ihc  air.     The  shcx  k  ihry  v^~>r^^ 
give  to  a  dwelling-house,  is  the  same  as  the  tailing  of  logs 
on  the  floor.     The  smaller  shocks  produced  no  emotions 
of  terror  or  fear  inthe  minds  of  the  inhabitants.     They 
"  arc  spoken  of  i.s  usual  occurrences,  and  are  call^l  Moo- 
•'  dus  noises.     But  when  they  are  so  violent  as  to  he  felt 
"  in  the  adjacent  towns,  they  are  called  earth(|uakes.  I)u- 
"  ring  my  residem  c  here,  which  has  been  almost  thirty-six 
"  years,  I  have  invariably  observed,  after  some  of  the  mosi 
•'  violent  of  these  shocks,  that  an  account  has  been  pul>- 
•'  lishcd  in  the  newspapers,  of  a  small  shock  of  an  <arth- 
''  quake,  at  New-London  and  Hartford.     Nor  do  1  believe, 
♦'  in  all  that  period,  there  has  been  any  account  published 
"  of  an  earthquake  in  Connecticut,  which  was  not  far  more 
"  violent  here  than  in  any  other  place.     By  recurring  to 
"  the  newspapers,  you  will  find,  that  an  earthquake  was 
noticed  on  the  18th  May,  1791,  about  10  o'clock,  P.  M. 
It  was  perceived  as  far  distant  as  Boston  and  Nevz-York. 
'  A  few  minutes  after  there  was  another  shock,  which  wat^ 
perceptible  at  the  distance  of  seventy  miles.     Here,  at 
"  that  time,  the  concussion  of  the  earth,  and  the  roaring  of 
"  the  atmosphere,  were  most  tremendous.    Consternatioi; 
"  and  dread  filled  every  house.    Many  chimnics  were  un- 
"  topped  and  walls  thrown  down.     It  was  a  night  much  to 
"  be  remembered ;  for  besides  the  two  shocks  which  wci'<^ 
"  npticed  at  a  distance,  during  the  night  there  was  here  a 
*'  succession  of  shocks,  to  the  number  of  twenty,  perhaps 
thirty :  the  effects  of  which,  like  all  others,  decreased,  in 
"  every  direction,  in  proportion  to  the  distances.    The 
"  next  day,  stones  of  several  tons  weight,  were  found  re- 
"  moved  from  their  places  j  and  apertures  in  the  earth,  and 
•'  fissures  in  immoveable  rocks,    ascertained  the  places 
^^  where  the  explosions  were  made.    Since  that  time,  the 
^'  noises  and  shocks  have  been  less  frequent  than  before  ; 
^'  though  not  a  year  passieth  over  us,  but  some  of  them  are 
"  perceptible.">( 

The  town  of  tjnion,  which  was  the  last  settled  in  the  Settle- 
north  east  part  of  the  colony  ;  and  the  next  in  the  order  of  P^nt  and 
time,  to  those  whose  history  has  already  been  given,  was  Ijo^^f""^*' 
sold  for  the  benefit  of  Yale  College.     The  lands  are  hoi-  Union, 
den  of  the  governor  and  company.    It  is  bounded  north  on 
Sturbridge,  Holland  and  South-Brimfield,  in  Massachu- 
setts, or  on  the  north  line  of  the  State;  east  on  Wood- 
stock, south  on  Ashford,  and  west  on  Stafford.    It  is  five 
miles  on  the  north  line,  four  miles  on  the  east,  six  miles 
and  9ne  kundred  and  eighty  rocjls  on  tiio  south,  and  foui; 


a 


94 


Hi.sToKV  or 


Cmai-.  V 


IVtoK  II.  mil( 


and  sixty  rods  i<i\  the   west,   containing  l-^-I^O  a- 


^ 


Incorpo- 
riiU'd, 


New- 

FairCu.'ld 

granted, 


ruteri. 


'I  In- sctllcniPnt  of  thr  town  hogan  I.;  !7J7.  The  fif^i 
and  princifud  settlers  wf-rc  Williiiin  '»!.  Nal!,  John  Law- 
son  and  Jam(  •«  Sherror,  from  lit  Innd.  The  progress  of 
settlement  appears  to  have  been  slow.  The  town  was  not. 
inrorporafed  until  Octoher,  1731.  In  17.Tf{,  die  church 
here  was  formed,  and  the  first  minister,  the  Rev.  Ebtnezer 
Uti.  173 J.  VVyman,  was  ordained.  He  died  in  1745,  a  young  man, 
and  was  greatly  lamented. 

New-Fairlicfd  i.>  the  next  oldest  town  to  Jjitchfield,  in 
that  county.  At  the  session  in  October,  1707,  the  legis- 
BeiilVd  and 'j*ttn'e  gmnted  to  Nathan  Gould,  Peter  Burr,  Jonathan 
incoijio-  Wakcman,  Jonathan  Sturgis,  John  Barlow  and  others,  of 
the  town  of  F.^irfield,  a  township  of  land  bounded  wi  st  on 
ihc  colony  line  between  Connecticut  and  New- York,  south 
on  Danbury,  cast  on  New-Milford,  and  north  on  lands  of 
the  colony,  afterwards  granted  to  the  town  of  Kent.  The 
tract  extended  northward  fourteen  miles  from  the  north 
line  of  Danbury.  Several  circumstances  retarded  the  set- 
tlement of  the  township  for  nearly  thirty  years.  The  In- 
dians in  that  part  of  the  colony  were  judged  to  be  less 
friondly  than  usual,  during  the  war,  and  there  were  re- 
puns  of  a  designed  attack  of  a  large  body  of  French  and 
inuians  f.'om  Canada,  which  alarmed  the  people.  The 
war  continued  until  1713.  The  line  between  Connecti- 
Ci't  and  New- York,  was  not  run  until  1725,  and  it  was 
not  finally  settled  until  1731.  The  grant  of  Connecticut 
of  the  tract,  called  the  Oblong,  to  New- York,  as  a  com- 
pensation for  lands  settled  on  the  Sound,  disappointed  the 
proprietors,  and  narrowed  the  township  several  miles,  as 
to  its  western  extent.  All  these  circumstances  united  their 
influence  to  obstruct  the  settlement.  This  began  on  the 
south  part,  called  the  lower  seven  miles,  probably,  about 
March  the  year  1730.  On  the  27th  of  April,  the  same  year, 
?7th,  1730.  jjiei-e  ^j^g  Q^  meeting  of  the  proprietors,  in  which  it  was 
voted.  That  t'  i  tract  of  land  called  New-Fairfield,  should 
he  laid  out  in  iifty  two  allotments  :  and  that  fifty  two  home 
lots  should  be  laid  out  in  said  tract.  It  was  also  voted, 
That  400  acres  should  be  laid  out  to  each  of  the  twelve 
original  proprietors,  or  to  their  heirs  and  assigns.  The 
allotment  of  the  town,  nevertheless,  was  not  effected  until 
1737. 

It  was  agreed  that  the  town  should  be  divided  into  two 
parts,  called  the  lower  and  the  upper  seven  miles.  The 
allotment  of  the  upper  seven  miles  was  not  made  until 
1740.  A  tract  of  100  acres  was  laid  out  in  each  partol' 
the  lown,  for  the  first  minister. 


I 


Chap.  V  ''. 
IK  M.-I^Oa- 

.  Thp  fif 
John  Law- 
])r()c;rpss  of 
)wii  was  noi. 
lh<!  church 
V.  Ehcnc'7.rr 
young  mail, 

.itchficld,  in 
7,  the  legis- 
T,  Jonathan 
nd  others,  of 
idcd  WiSton 
■York,  south 
h  on  lands  of 
Kent.  The 
m  the  north 
irded  the  set- 
's. The  In- 
i  to  be  less 
lere  were  re- 
■  French  and 
eople.  The 
en  Connecti- 

and  it  was 
Connecticut: 
k,  as  a  com- 
ppointed  the 
ral  miles,  as 
s  united  their 
egan  on  the 
bably,  about 

same  year, 
which  it  was 
•field,  should 
fty  two  home 

also  voted, 
)f  the  twelve 
isigns.  The 
euected  until 

;ded  into  two 

miles.    The 

)t  made  until 

each  part  ol" 


Chap.  VI. 


CONNFXTICUT. 


91 


I   nrc- 
sale  of 


'>y  the  sal 

^  convcy- 

1686,  in 

r  ,<tantation!} 


May  Cih,  1740,  the  town  was  inrorpornted.     The  first  Book  II. 
iniiii'ter,  in  the  lower  seven  miles,  w.is  i ho  Rev.  Heiiiijali ' 
Cise,  who  was  ordained,  November  Dth,  17  12.     The  (ir>i 
i»ristor  in  the  upper  seven  miles,  was  the  Rev.  Thomas 
L(  wis,  ordained,  March  '2  Id,  17<14.* 

While    people  were    elVecling  the   settlement  of  these 
lowf    .  there  arose  an  unhappy  controversy  between  the 
legislature  and  the  towns  of  llartfoitl  and  Windsor.     In  the 
loublesome  limes  of  Sir  Edmund  Andnis's administration, 
lo  Kiive  the  lands  of  the  colony   from  h        >asp,  and 
vent  his  enriching  himself  and   his  mi 
ihem,  th(   legislature,  in  a  hasty  m     .i 
iiiice  to  the   above  named  towns,  Jaf     ■ 
ilic  W(  ids  I'ollowing  :  •"  This  court  grai 
'' of  Hartford  and  Windsor,  those  lanu.>.  on  inc  north  of 
'•  Woodbury  and  Mattatuck,  and  on  the  westof  Farming- 
'•  ton  and  Simsbury,  to  the  Massachusetts  line  north ;  to 
*' run  west  to  Housatonick,  or  Stratford   river;  provided 
'•  it  be  not,  or  part  of  it,  formerly  granted  to  any  particu- 
"  Jar  person  to  make  a  plantation,  or  villagc."t 

The  design  of  this  conveyance  was  that  these  town^i 
should  hold  the  lands  thus  granted,  for  the  governor  and 
company,  until  those  times  of  danger  and  trouble  should 
be  past ;  but  not  as  their  properly.  They  had  never  pur- 
chased nor  given  the  least  valuable  consideration  for  them, 
and  had  no  deeds  nor  patents  of  them.  Nevertheless,  by 
virtue  of  this  grant,  they  laid  claim  to  all  the  lands  within 
the  limits  expressed.  So  tenacious  were  they  of  their 
claim,  that,  in  contravention  of  the  most  express  laws  of 
the  colony,  they  proceeded  to  locate  and  vend  the  lands 
in  controversy. 

The  governor  and  company  claimed  the  lands  as  fully 

as  though  no  grant  of  any  kmd  had  been  made  to  those 

towns.     And  as  the  town  of  Litchfield  had  been  settled 

by  the  Hartford  and  Windsor  people,  and  they  persisted  in 

their  claim,  and  in  locating  and  vending  the  land  in  con- 

*  In  the  upper  or  north  seven  miles,  is  a  natural  and  artificial  curiosity. 
There  are  two  ponds,  one  fed  by  a  imall  stream  which  runs  into  it,  the 
«ther  by  springs,  generally  invisible.  The  latter  is  on  a  mountain,  fifty 
feet  above  the  other.  The  ponds  are  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  dis- 
tant from  estch  other.  To  conduct  the  water  of  the  upper  pond  into  the 
lower,  an  aqueduct  has  been  constructed,  :,y  great  labor  and  expense  r 
at  one  place  for  nearly  twenty,  and  at  the  other  about  sixteen  rod?. 
More  than  half  these  distances  it  is  perforated  tlirough  a  solid  rock.  The 
aqueduct  is  tAventy  five  feet  below  the  outward  surface  of  the  water. 
The  water  drawn  from  these  ponds,  carries  a  grist  mill  with  two 
runs  of  stones.  The  mill  is  over  shot.  The  water  strikes  one  wheel  and 
carries  one  run,  then  collects  and  ttrikes  a  second,  and  carries  aaotber 
ran. 

t  Records  of  t^e  colonV. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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i»'l! 


*f 


Riot  at 
Hartford. 


DookII.  trovtTsy,  some  of  the  principal  delinquents  if.  seems  were 

Si^-v->w  arrested  and  punished  by  the  superior  court  ;  some  were 

committed  to  the  common  pri»on  in  Hartford.     The  pco* 

pie  of  Hartford  and  Windsor  determined,  nevertheless,  to 

oppose  the  legislature,  and  by  force  of  arhis  to  liberate 

their  neighbors.  On  the  1 1th  Octobef,  1722,  the  assembly 

having  information,  that  a  number  of  disorderly  persons, 

in  the  county  of  Hartford,  were  about  to  appear  in  arms,  in 

a  riotous  manner,  against  the  authority  of  the  government, 

Reriblii-      ^nd  to  oppose  the  execution  of  the  laws,  resolved,  that 

tion,  o<  t.  colonel  William  Whiting,  sheriff  of  the  county  of  Hartford, 

1  iih,  1722,  jjp  authorised  to  call  out  the  whole  militia  of  the  county  to 

nVioT.**^"   ^'''  assistance;  and  the   legislature  enjoined  it  upon  all 

the  officers  and  privates,  on  the  penalty  of  five  pounds,  to 

assist  him  as  occasion  should  require,  in  suppressing  all 

riot  and  disorder,  and  in  guarding  any  dehnqucnts  who 

might  be  taken,  and  in  committing  them  to  confinement, 

until  such  time  as  they  could  be  legally  proceeded  against, 

and  punished. 

Notwithstanding  this  precautionary  act  of  the  assembly, 
there  was  a  riot  at  Hartford ;  the  common  gaol  was  broken 
open,  and  the  delinquents  were  set  at  liberty  ;  even  while 
the  assembly  were  in  session.  A  further  resolution  was 
therefore  passed,  to  the  following  effect :  That  as  the  com- 
mon gaol  in  the  county  of  Hartford,  had,  in  the  present  ses- 
sion, been  broken  open,  with  a  tumultuous  and  strong  hand, 
and  a  number  of  persons,  committed  for  the  non-payment 
of  certain  charges,  arising  upon  their  prosecution  before 
the  county  court,  in  and  for  the  county  of  Hartford,  were 
delivered  out  of  the  custody  of  the  law,  and  many  high 
misdemeanors  and  breaches  of  the  peace,  and  other  crimes 
were  committed,  the  legislature,  by  a  special  act,  author- 
ized the  judges  of  the  superior  court,  or  any  three  of  them, 
by  jury  or  otherwise,  according  to  law,  to  enquire  into, 
hear  and  determine  all  crimes  committed  in  the  transac- 
tion, and  all  things  relating  thereunto  ;  and  to  award  exe- 
cution thereon  according  to  law.  The  chief  judge,  or 
any  of  the  three  judges,  or  any  assistant,  was  authorized 
to  issue  writs  for  apprehending,  securing  and  bringing 
the  rioters  to  justice  ;  and  for  bringing  every  person 
before  them  whom  they  should  judge  proper  to  examine. 
It  was  aloo  resolved,  that  every  person  who  should  be  ta- 
ken, should  be  bound  to  make  his  appearance  before  the 
court,  and  to  his  good  behaviour,  in  a  bond  of  one  hun- 
dred pounds,  or  be  committed  to  the  common  gaol.  It 
was  further  resolved,  that  if  jurors  should  be  called  to 
judge  iu  the  affair,  they  should  be  tajiea  from  such  parts  ol 


CONNECTICUT. 


^7 


Chap.  vf. 

the  county  as  should  be  judged  to  have  becii  the  least  pri-  Book  II. 
vy  to  the  transaction,  and  in  which  there  had   been  the  ^^-v^^ 
fewest  offenders.    It  was  further  enacted,  that  unless  the    1722. 
penons  who  had  made   their  escape,  should,  before  thc- 
sizth  of  November,  then  next  ensuing,  pay  tlie  charges 
for  which  they  were  committed,  or  deliver  themselves  up 
to  imprisonment,  the  sheriff  should  pursue,  apprehend, 
and  commit  them*    He  was  authorized,  if  it  should  be  n^- 
cessary,  to  call  the  militia  of  the  whole  county  to  his  as- 
sistance.* 

In  consequence  of  this  riot,  the  legislature  made  the  act, 
empowering  the  sheriffs  and  constables  to  keep  the  kinglo 
peace ;  and  the  act  for  the  prevention  and  punishment  of 
riotf  and  rioters. 

Notwithstanding  the  firm  and  determinate  measures  the 
assembly  had  adapted,  they  had  information,  that  in  ex- 
press violation  of  the  law,  certain  persons  were  undertak- 
ing to  lay  oiU,  and  to  dispose  of  the  lands  which  lay  north., 
cast,  and  west  of  Litchneld,  and  west  of  Farmington  and 
Simsbury,  for  their  own  use  and  benefit,  and  for  such  pur- 
poses as  they  pleased  ;  and  that  they  were  actually  en- 
gaged in  tne  business.  A  committee  Was  therefore  ap- 
pointed to  inquire  into  the  affair,  and  authorized  to  arrest 
any  person  or  persons,  who  were  thus  trespassing,  and 
to  command  all  assistance  which  might  be' necessary  for 
that  purpose,  and  to  bring  them  before  the  assembly. 

At  the  seftne  time,  vigorous  and  effectual  measures  were 
taken  to  arrest  and  punish  the  rioters  who  had  broken  the 
common  gaol.  But  they  were  so  turbulent,  and  their  par- 
ty so  strong,  that  it  was  with  much  difficulty  and  danger, 
they  were  arrested  and  brought  before  the  court.  Some 
of  the  magistrates  were  afraid  to  prosecute  them  even 
upon  complaint.  But  these  resolute  men,  colonel  William 
Whiting  and  major  Joseph  Talcott,  and  others,  whom 
they  engaged  to  assist  them,  finally  arrested  and  brought 
iliem  before  the  court.  But  so  extraordinary  were  their 
exertions,  expense  of  time,  and  die  dangers  to  which  they 
had  been  exposed  as  to  life  and  limbs,  that  the  legislature 
judged  that  the  common  fees  in  such  cases  were  by  no 
means  a  proper  ccnnpensation  for  their  services.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  consider  their  expenses  and 
dangers,  and  to  make  them  a  reasonable  compensation* 

The  rioters  were  fined  twenty  pounds  a  man,  beside 
costs,  which  were  not  less  than  about  five  pounds  for  each 
man.  When  they  found  that  they  must  submit  to  the  au- 
thority of  the  government,  they  preferred  a  petition  to  tjie-         "' 

,  •  Record*  of  the  colony. 

If 


9f 


InSTORY  OF 


CifAp.  vr 


Book  U.  assembly,  praying  for  an  abatement  of  their  fines.     The 
^.4rv^v/  legislature  made  them  some  small  abatemeiU,  but  it  cost 
J  722.    them  about  twenty  pounds  a  man. 

These  were  indeed  evil  times.  Men,  with  an  uncom- 
mon obstHmcy,  resisted  the  laws,  and  trampled  on  the  au- 
thority of  the  lep;islature.  Though  they  had  adopted  such 
firm  and  spirited  ni'-asures  to  prerent  trespass,  and  pre- 
serve tliclands  in  dispute  for  the  benefit  of  the  colony,  yef: 
a  number  of  bold  men,  John  SeyniouF,  Samuel  Catlin  and 
Williiun  Baker,  of  Hartford,  and  Thomas  More  and  Job 
i!>llsworth  of  Windsor,  ventured  to  lay  out  a  whole  town- 
ship of  the  colony's  land  on  the  north  of  Litchfield,*  awi 
pretended  to  claim  the  feind  as  theii*  own.. 

When  the  assembly  were  convened  in  May,  they  order- 
ed the  king's  attorney,  for  the  county  of  New-Haven,  to 
prosecute  thehi  and  all  such  offenders,  in  the  name  of  the 
governor  and  company,  and  to  demand  of  them  the  penal- 
ties annexed  to  the  laws. 

This  controversy  had  already  occasioned  a  general 
ferment,  and  great  animosities  among  the  people,  and 
there  was  danger  that  it  might  be  attended  wrth  still  more 
serious  consequences.  The  Hartford  and  Windsor  claim- 
ants found  it  to  be  a  difficult  business  to  contend  with  the 
governor  and  company.!  Governor  Takott,  Matthew  Al- 
Oct,  lOih,  lyn  and  Roger  vWolcott,  Esquires^  therefore  preferred  a 
*  petition  to  the  General  Assemmy,  praying  that  the  difficul- 

ties relative  to  the  ancient  grant  of  the  western  lands  to  the 
towns  of  Hartfoi"d  and  Windsor  might  be  amicably  settled ; 
and  thart  a  committee  might  be  appointed  in  behalf  of  the 
assembly  for  that  purpose.  Upon  thia  application,  James 
Wadsworth,  and  John  and  Hezek'^*^  Brainard,  were  ap- 
pointed to  examine  the  claims  of  tford  and  Windsor, 
to  receive  such  propositions  as  sh*,  •.  ,  be  made  to  them, 
and  to  report  to  the  assembly ;  that  the  difficttlties  subsist- 
ing might  be  quieted.  It  was  resolved  that  the  charges  of 
the  committee  should  be  r  efrayed  by  the  petitioners. 

The  committee  found  it  to  be  an  affair  of  great  laboi' 

afid  difficulty  to  examine  the  claims,  and  to  obtain  such 

concessions  and  propositions,  as  they  judged  reasonable, 

or  as  the  assembly  would  accept.     After  laboring  in  the 

business  nearly  two  years,  tliey  made  their  report*    The 

legislature  wishing  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the  colony, 

and  to  settle  the  lands  in  controversy  as  expeditiously  as 

might  be,  on  the  report  of  their  committee.   Resolved, 

OTa^  2Gtli,  That  the  lands  in  controversy,  should  be  divided  between 

Vlw,        the  colony  and  the  towns  of  Hartford  and  Windsor :  that. 

*  This  appears  tof  b»ve  been  Goshen  i  ,.-^j,..^... 


Chap.  VI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


9» 


fhr  colony  should  have  riic  wostom,  and  Il.irtford  and  Book  11. 
Windsor  the  eastern  division.     It  was  agreed  that  Litoh-  s^-v^-^' 
field  should  not  come  into  the  division,  and  also  that  the 
lands  which  the  towns  of  Hartford  and  Windsor  had  con- 
veyed away,  particularly  to  Benjamin  Fairweather,  anfl 
to  the  town  of  New-Minord,  should  not  be  reckoned  to 
it.     The  division  having  been  made,  some  time  after,  be- 
tween tlie  colony  and  the  proprietors  in  Hartford   and 
Windsor,  the  governor  and  company,  on  the  22d  of  May, 
1729,  gave  a  patent  of  one  half  of  said  lands  to  them  ;  and  yj^^^f 
about  three  years  after.  May,   1 732,  an  act  was  passed,  iTio. 
empowering  Matthew  Allyn,  Roger  Wolcott,  Samuel  Ma-  May  njS: 
ther,  and  other  inhabitants  in  the  town  of  Windsor,  to 
make  a  partition  of  the  moiety  of  the  lands  thus  patented 
lo  the  said  towns ;  bounded  north,  on  the  line  oi  Massa- 
chusetts ;  west,  partly  on  lands  belonging  to  the  governor 
and  company,  and  partly  on  the  town  of  Litchfield ;  south, 
partly  on  the  town  of  Waterbury,  and  partly  on  the  town 
of  Farailngton ;  east,  partly  on  the  town  of  Farmington, 
and  partly  on  the  town  of  Simsbury,  and  partly  on  land 
belonging  to  the  governor  and  company.    One  half  of  this 
tract  was  granted  to  Hartford. 

The  proprietors  in  Windsor,  made  S  partition  with  the 
proprietors  in  Hartford  by  a  deed,  executed  February 
11th,  1732;  in  which  partition,  four  smaller  parcels,  ly- 
ing within  this  large  tract,  were  deeded  to  the  town  of 
Windsor.     The  proprietors  in  this  town,  on  the  7th  of 
April,  1732,  at  a  proprietor's  meeting,  made  a  division  of 
the  said  four  parcels  of  land  among  themselves,  allotting 
out  each  of  the  said  four  parcels  to  a  certain  number  of 
patentees  or  proprietors,  to  have,  and  to  hold  the  same,  in 
severalty  to  them,  and  their  heirs  for  ever.    These  prepar- 
atory measures  having  been  adopted  by  the  proprietors, 
the  General  Assembly  passed  an  act  of  incorporation,  vest- 
ing them  with  all  powers  necessary  for  the  disposing  of 
said  lands,  and  for  securing  them  tor  ever  to  those  who 
should  purchase  them :  and  particular  parcels  convenient 
for  townships  were  particularly  named.     It  was  enacted, 
"  That  the  first  parcel  of  land  mentioned  in  said  instrument 
of  partition,  containing  20924  acres,  and  bounded  partly 
on  Litchfield,  partly  on  land  belonging  to  said  patentees 
in  Windsor,  called  the  half  township,  east  and  north  on 
land  belonging  to  the  grantees  of  Hartford,  west  on  land 
belonging  to  tne  governor  and  company  of  Connecticut,  is 
hereby  named,  and  shall  for  ever  hereafter  be  called  and 
named  Torrington :  and  Matthew  Allyn,  Roger  Wolcott, 
Esquires,  and  the  rest  of  the  proprietors  pf  Torrington,  qj- 


,,^' 


too 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  Vf. 


BooE  II.  an^  Hve  of  thenv  are  hereby  enabled  to  call  a  meeting  of 
s.^'N^-i^/  said  proprietors,  to  be  held  in  the  town  of  Windi^or,  by 
1 733.  applying  themielves,  or  any  five  of  them,  to  some  assistant, 
or  justice  of  the  peace,  in  the  county  of  Hartford,  for  a 
warrant  for  calling  such  meeting  ;  and  such  assistant,  or 
justice  of  the  peace,  is  hereby  empowered  to  grant  his 
warrant,  expressing  the  time,  place  and  business  of  such 
meeting,  to  one  of  the  proprietors  asking  the  same,  re-i 
quiring  such  proprietor  to  warn  all  the  proprietors  of  Tor- 
ringtpn  of  such  their  meeting,  by  setting  up  attested  co- 
pies of  such  warrant,  under  the  hand  of  the  assistant,  or 
justice  of  the  peace,  in  three  public  places  in  the  town  of 
Windsor,  at  least  ten  days  before  such  meeting.'^  And  it 
was  further  enacted,  "  That  the  said  proprietors  of  Tor- 
rington,  in  their  proprietors'  meeting,  assembled  as  afore- 
said, by  their  major  vote,  to  be  computed  according  to 
their  interest,  shall  be  empowered,  and  they  are  hereby 
empowered  to  choose  their  proprietors'  clerk,  who  shall 
lake  the  following  oath,  viz.  You,  N.  W.  &c.  And  it  is 
hereby  enacted  and  declared,  That  the  entering  of  any 
deed,  mortgage  or  alienation  of  lands  lying  in  Torrington, 
in  the  office  of  said  proprietors^  clerk,  shall  fully  secure 
^e  same  from  beiri^  voided  by  any  grant,  deed  or  mort- 

§age,  from  the  grantor  entered  afterwards.  And  be  it  fur- 
ler  enacted.  That  the  said  proprietors  of  Torrington,  be 
empowered  by  their  major  vote  as  aforesaid,  and  they  are 
hereby  empowered,  at  their  proprietors*  meeting,  to  choose 
one  or  more  agents,  or  attorneys,  in  their  name  and  stead, 
to  sue,  prosecute  and  defend  before  any  court  or  judge, 
and  to  final  judgment  and  execution  pursue,  in  any  action 
or  case,  for  maintaining  or  defending  their  titles  or  posses- 
sion in  the  said  lands  ;  as  also  to  make  orders  for  the  im- 
provement, or  division  of  their  land ;  a^s  also  to  lay  taxes 
upon  themselves,  according  to  their  interest,  for  the  raising 
of  such  sum  or  sums  of  money  as  they  shall  iudge  needful, 
for  the  defraying  of  any  suit  or  suits ;  "as  also  to  appoint 
rates  and  rate  makers,  and  collectors  of  such  taxes,  who 
are  hereby  empowered  to  gather  and  collect  the  same ;  and 
shall  be  accountable  for  such  rates  to  the  proprietors^  com- 
mittee, or  treasurer,  under  the  same  penalties,  and  as  fully 
as  the  collectors  of  the  town  rates  are  empowered  and  ob- 
liged to :  and  the  said  proprietors,  at  their  proprietors' 
meetings,  are  empowered  to  adjourn  said  meeting,  to  such 
time  and  ]>lace  as  they  shall  think  proper,  and  to  call  after 
meetings  in  such  manner  as  they  shall  order  and  agree. 
And  all  partitions  of  land,  made  according  to  their  interest, 
by  said  proprietors,  in  their  legal  meetings,  by  their  major 
VQte.as  aforesaid,  are  hereby  declared  vsijid  and  lawfuj/' 


Chap  VI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


101 


It  was  enactod,  That  the  second  parcel  of  land,  men-  Book  II. 
lioned  in  said  instrument,  containing  30531  acres,  bounded  v^'v^^^ 
castwardly  on  the  town  of  Simsbury,  south  and  viesi  on    1 733. 
Hartford  grantees,  and  parUy  on  lanc|  belonging  to  Wind*  Barkbam- 
sor  grantees,  should  be  named  and  forever  aftenvards  be  "*"'' 
called  Barkhampstead ;  and  capt.  Thomas  Moore,  and  lieu-  ^a  Ihe 
tenant  Jonathan  Ellsworth,  and  the  rest  of  the  proprietors,  pruprie. 
were  vested  with  the  same  powers  and  privileges  as  die*""  '*J«*" 
proprietors  of  Torrington  had  been.  vm^ 

With  respect  to  the  third  parcel  of  land  mentioned  in 
the  instrument,  already  noticed,  containing  1 6 1 99  acres, 
bounded  northerly  on  the  colony  line,  southerly  on  land 
belonging  to  the  Hartford  ^ntees,  and  partly  on  land  be- 
longing to  the  grantees  of  Windsor,  westerly  on  land  be- 
longing to  the  governor  and  company  of  the  colony  of 
Connecticut,  and  easterly  on  land  belonging  to  the  pa- 
tentees of  Hartford  ;  it  was  enacted,  that  it  should  for  ever 
be  called  Colebrpok,  and  the  same  powers  and  privileges  Coiebrook 
were  granted  to  captain  Sai^uel  Wheeler,  and  to  Mr.  Henry  "h^^roT** 
Wolcott,  and  the  rest  of  the  proprietors,  which  had  been  etors  Tn-"" 
granted  to  the  proprietors  of  the  towns  before  mentioned,   corpora* 

It  was  enacted,  that  the  fourth  parcel,  named  in  the  in-  ^* 
strument  aforesaid,  containing  956Q  acres,  bounded,  be-; 
ginning  north  ^t  the  north  east  corner  of  Litchfield,  in  the 
forks  of  Waterbury  river,  thence  running  east  eight  der 
grees  and  thirty  minutes  squth,  778  ro<£,  to  a  heap  of 
stones  laid  about  a  white  oak  tree  ;  thence  south  six  miles 
and  forty  rods  to  a  heap  of  stones  ;  thence  west  to  Water- 
bury  ;  thence  northwardly  to  the  river,  to  the  first  comer, 
that  it  should  be  for  ever  called  Harwinton.     The  same  Harwin- 
powers  and  privilege^  were  granted  to  Samuel  Allen  and  ton  named, 
Daniel  Biss^,  and  the  rest  of  the  proprietors  of  Harwin-  ^"^  **!" 
ton,  which  had  been  before  given  to  the  proprietors  of  Tor-  foT/'^ncor- 
rington.  poratcd. 

The  Hartford  patentees,  the  honorable  Joseph  Talcott,  "^'^e  Hart- 
Esq.  captain  John  Shelden,  and  others,  on  the  1 1th  of  Fe-  [ejje«  di- 
bruary,  1732,  made  a  partition  of  the  large  tract  of  land  be-  vide  thai/' 
longing  to  them  into  four  lesser  parcels.   At  a  proprietors^  lands- 
meeting,  lawfully  holden  on  the  5th  day  of  April,  1 732,  and 
continued  by  adjourftnent  until  the  27th  day  of  September 
following,  it  was  determined,  by  their  votes,  in  what  man- 
ner the  aforesaid  four  parcels  should  be  divided  among 
them  'y  which  was   completed  by  a  deed  of  partition, 
dated  September  25th,    1732.     This  was  unanimously 
confirmed  on  the  27th  aforesaid. 

The  business  having  been  thus  prepared,  the  Gene- 
ts Assembly,  in  the  sesi^on  in  May,    1733,  enacted^ 


I 

ft-' 


10^ 


HISTORY  OP 


Chap,  VJ. 


Ilartland 

named, 

Ac. 


Winchea- 
<er. 


New- 
jhlartford. 


That  tlie  Gr»t  parcel  named  in  the  instrument  of  partition, 
containing  by  estimation  17654  acres,  bounded  south  0:1 
Barkhampstead,  and  west  on  Colebrook,  east,  partly  on 
Simsbury  west  line,  and  partly  on  land  belonging  to  the 
governor  and  company  of  this  colony,  and  north  on  the 
colony  line,  shoula  for  ever,  hereafter,  be  called  Hart- 
land;  and  that  the  honorable  Joseph  Talcott,  Esq.  and 
captain  Shelden,and  the  rest  of  the  proprietors,  should  en- 
joy the  same  powers  and  privileges  granted  to  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  other  townships,  under  the  Windsor  pro- 
prietors. It  was  further  enacted.  That  the  second  par- 
cel, called  the  middle  west  part,  containing  20380  acres, 
bounded  west  on  land  belonging  to  the  governor  and 
company,  east  on  Barkhampstead,  north  on  Colebrook,  and 
south  on  Torrington,  should  be  for  ever  hereafter  called 
Winchester.  Captain  Thomas  Seymour,  and  captain  Whi- 
ting, and  the  rest  of  the  proprietors,  were  vested  with 
the  same  powers  and  privileges  as  the  proprietors  of 
the  other  towns  had  been. 

It  was  enacted,  That  the  third  parcel,  called  the  south 
part,  containing,  by  estimation,  23940  acres,  bounded 
partly  on  lana  belongii^  to  Harwinton,  and  partly  on 
land  deeded  to  the  proprietors  of  Hartford,  and  partly 
on  the  town  of  Farmington,  east  on  Simsbury  west  line, 
north  on  Barkhampstead,  and  west  on  Torrington,  should 
for  ever  hereaftei'  be  called  New-Hartford.  Nathaniel 
Stanley,  Esq.  and  captain  Marsh,  with  others,  were  the 
proprietors,  vested  with  the  same  powers  already  men- 
tioned. 

The  fourth  parcel,  called  the  half  township,  containing, 
by  estimation,  8,590  acre^,  bounded  east  on  Farmington, 
south  on  land  belonging  to  the  Hartford  patentees,  west  on 
land  being  the  other  part  now  called  Harwinton,  it  was 
enacted,  should  for  ever  hereafter,  in  conjunction  with  the 
other  part,  be  called  Harwinton.  The  proprietors  of  this 
half  township,  were  Hezekiah  Wyllys,  Esq,  Joseph  Skin- 
ner, and  others,  enjoying  the  same  powers  and  privileges 
tvhich  had  been  granted  to  the  proprietors  of  the  other 
townships. 

While  the  legislature  had  been  maMng  these  provisions 
for  the  sale  and  settlement  of  the  lands  ceded,  by  agree- 
ment, to  the  towns  of  Hartford  and  Windsor,  they  had 
been  devising  measures  for  the  sale  and  settlement  of  the 
seven  townships  belonging  to  the  colony.  A  committee, 
which  had  been  previously  appointed  to  view  those  lands, 
Mnd  report  cimcerning  them,  now  made  their  report  as  fpU 
Joweth;        , 


CkAP.  VT. 


CONNECTICUT. 


t03 


1.  That  an  act  be  made  and  passed,  at  this  assembly, Book  II. 
granting  all  the  monies  which  shall  arise  fi-om  the  sale  of  v-^'v^-' 
I  he  seven  townships,  which  arc  now  to  be  settled,  to  the  Report  of 
towns  in  this  colony  which  are  now  settled,  to  be  divided  *'*^|(e'^"*; 
to  (hem,  in  proportion  to  the  list  of  polls  and  rateable  laHvc  to 
estate,  in  tht  year  last  past,  to  be  secured  and  improved  the  r.  ven 
lor  ever  to  the  I'.iC  of  the  schools  kept  in  the  several  towns,  l"*"'*'"?,"* 

!■        .     I  '  '  May  lOlli^ 

iiccording  to  law.  17;^'j. 

2.  That  in  order  to  the  selling  and  settling  of  those 
townships,  a  comsiittee  should  be  chosen  in  each  county, 
who  should  enter  the  names  of  all  persons,  who  shall  de- 
hire  to  be  purchasers  of  said  townships,  and  to  settle  th» 
same,  under  such  regulations  as  the  assembly  shall  order, 
with  the  sum  which  each  person  shall  oflfer  to  pay  for  a 
share  in  such  township ;  there  being  fifty  shares,  besides 
three  shares  which  shall  be  set  apart,  one  for  the  first  min- 
ister who  shall  be  settled  in  the  town ;  to  be  conveyed  to 
him  in  fee  ;  one  to  be  sequestered  for  the  use  of  the  stand- 
ing ministry  for  ever ;  and  one  for  the  use  of  the  school,  or 
schools,  in  said  town,  for  ever. 

Three  or  four  years  elapsed,  before  the  assembly  were 
abh;  to  locate  and  allot  the  townships,  and  adopt  measures 
for  their  sale  and  settlement  to  advantage.  Bat  in  the  ses* 
sion  in  October,  1737,  it  was  enacted.  That  the  townships  October 
in  the  western  lands,  on  both  sides  of  the  Housatonick  riv-  ****''>  ^''''**- 
er,  should  bo  divided  into  fifty-three  rights,  exclusive  of 
the  rights  granted  to  college,*  and  all  former  grants  made 
by  the  assembly.  Two  were  appropriated  to  the  ministry, 
and  one  to  the  schools,  agreeably  to  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee ;  and  the  remaining  fifty  rights  were  to  be  sold  ac 
public  vendue,  to  the  highest  bidder.  But  it  was  ordered, 
that  they  should  be  sold  to  his  majesty^s  subjects  of  Con- 
necticut, and  to  them  only.  Every  purchaser  was  oblige  ■'^ 
to  build  and  finish  a  house  eithteen  feet  square,  and  to  sub* 
due  and  fence,  at  least,  eignt  acres  of  land,  in  said  town, 
within  the  term  of  three  years  after  his  purchase.  No  per- 
son was  to  have  any  benefit  by  virtue  of  his  purchase,  un- 
less he  should  himself,  or  by  his  agent,  pay  all  the  taxes, 
and  perform  all  the  duties,  required  in  the  act  of  settlement. 

The  legislature  then  proceeded  to  resolutions  relative 
to  the  settlement  of  the  several  townships.    It  was  resol- 

*  On  the  petition  of  (he  trnsteea  or  Tale  College,  the  legislature  had,  in 
1732,  (granted  a  tract  of  3(X)  acres,  to  be  laid  out  in  one  entire  piece,  in 
each  oi^  the  five  townships  on  the  east  side  of  the  Housatonick  river,  at  a 
distance  from  the  several  town  plots,  and  enacted,  that  when  iaid  tract » 
containing  1500  acres  in  the  whole,  diould  be  laid  out,  a  patent  sbonid  be 
given  under  the  fc%,l  of  tljo  colony,  c^ofirming  the  grant  to  the  trustee*  af 
said  coHeje.        ^  v .      i  *      >. 


164 


ttlSTORY  OF 


Chap.  V'T. 


17.17. 


Book  II.  vod,  That  the  township  which  joined  upon  ibc  colony  line, 
and  upon  Ffartford  and  Windsor  land)*,  should  be  sold  at 
the  court-house  in  Hartford,  to  the  hij^hcst  bidder,  on  the 
second  Tuesday  in  April  next,  and  to  be  continued  by  ad- 
journment until  the  whole  should  be  sold.  The  township 
adjoining  to  Litchiield  north  line,  and  eastward  on  Tor- 
rington,  was  to  be  told  in  like  manner,  at  Ncw-f  laven,  on 
the  first  Tuesday  in  December  next :  The  north-western 
township,  bounded  west  by  Housatonick  river,  was  order- 
ed to  be  sold  in  the  same  manner,  at  4he  court-house  in 
New-London,  on  the  first  day  of  January,  1736.  The 
middle  townsliip,  bounde<l  west  on  the  Housatonick,  was 
ordered  to  be  sold  in  like  manner,  at  the  court-house  in 
t-'airfield,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  February.  It  was  ordered 
that  the  southern  township,  bounded  west  on  theHousaton- 
irk,  should  be  sold  at  Windham,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in 
March  ;  and  the  north-west  township,  on  the  west  side  of 
the  river,  should  be  sold  at  Hartfora,  on  the  third  Tuesday 
in  May.  ^  ^ 

At  the  session  in  May,  the  toTt^ns  were  named^  That 
ivhich  was  sold  at  Hartford,  on  the  second  Tuesday  in 
April,  was  called  Norfolk ;  that  sold  at  New-Haven,  Go- 
shen ;  that  at  New-London,  Canaan ;  that  at  Fairfield, 
Cornwall ;  and  that  sold  at  Windham,  Kent ;  and  that  soM 
in  May,  at  Hartford,  was  named  Salisbury.  The  purcha- 
sers of  the  said  townships  were  incorporated  and  empower- 
ed, in  all  respects  as  the  proprietors  of  the  townships  set 
off  to  Hartfortl  and  Windsor,  and  they  were  all,  by  an  act 
of  the  assembly,  annexed  to  the  county  of  Hartfora. 

As  such  a  number  of  toT^nships  were  oflfered  for  sale  and 
Settlement  so  nearly  together,  and  as  the  purchasers  were 
none  but  the  inhabitants  of  Connecticut,  it  was  many  years 
before  they  could  all  be  sold  and  settled.  It  does  not  ap- 
pear that  they  were  all  sold  af  the  particular  times  appoint- 
ed for  that  purpose.  The  following  is  a  true  history  of 
<lieir  sale  and  settlement.  In  several  of  them,  settlements 
had  been  made  antecedently  to  any  acts  of  the  legislature 
respecting  them. 

Torrington,  'he  second  of  the  fourteen  townships  settled, 
was  allotted  to  the  WindscH*  proprietors,  containing  twenty 
thousand  hine  hundred  and  twenty-four  acres.  It  was 
named  at  the  session  in  May,  1732.  The  number  of  pro- 
prietors was  one  hundred  and  thirty-six.  At  their  first 
meeting  in  Windsor,  September  lOth,  1733,  they  voted  to 
make  a  first  division  of  lots  in  Torrington ;  and  that  there 
should  be  one  acre  to  the  pound  on  the  list  of  each  propri- 
r'tor.    A  committee  was  appointed  to  lay  out  this  division. 


Pcttle- 
inent  of 
Torrinc- 
ton,  1737. 


CrfAP 


At 


CONNECnciJT. 


IQft 


A  survey  of  the  town  was  completed  in  1734.     On  the  Mth  Book  II. 
of  March,  1737,  the  pruphetdrs  voted  a  second  divUiuii  o{\^'>r^ 
ihc  lands,  alid  to  lay  out  one  acre  to  the  pound,  on  the  liiit    1737. 
o(  each  proprietor.     About  five  yean  after,  another  divi- 
HJon  was  voted.     But  this  last  division  was  not  completed 
I  ill  about  ten  years  afterwards. 

Several  young  men  laboured  in  the  town  in  the  summer 
of  1736,  but  there  was  no  family  in  the  town  until  1737, 
when  Ebenczer  Lyman,  from  Durham,  moved  on  to  the 
township,  with  a  young  family,  consisting  of  three  |)ersons 
only.*  Towards  the  close  of  the  year,  Jonathan  Coe,  who 
was  also  from  Durham,  and  had  laboured  in  the  town  for 
two  summers,  married,  and  a  second  family  now  commen- 
ccd.  The  principal  settlers  were  from  Wmdsor  and  Dur* 
ham.  The  settlement  of  the  town  was  very  slow.  In  four 
years  from  the  settlement  of  the  first  families,  there  was  an 
addition  of  twelve  only.  When  the  first  minihtcr,  the  Rev. 
Nathaniel  Roberts,  was  ordained,  in  the  summer  of  1741, 
there  were  fourteen  families  in  the  town.  It  was  incorpo- 
rated  in  1744. 

Harwinton,  the  first  of  the  fourteen  new  townships  which  Harwintoh 
was  settled,  consisted  of  two  half  townships,  pne  part  be-  ?«"'«*  »"«* 
longing  td  the  Hartford  and  the  other  to  the  Wincjsorpro-  JJ*"'?®'^ 
prietors  \  the  eastern  half  belonging  to  the  proprietors  of 
Hartford,  and  the  western  to  those  of  Windsor.  The  whole 
township  contains  about  18,150  acres.     Its  first  settlers 
were  from  Hartford  and  Windsor.    The  five  first  were 
Messenger,  Hopkins,  Webster,  Phelps,  and  Wilson.  These 
were  on  the  lands  before  the  division  and  sale  of  them,  in 
1732.     The  settlement  of  the  town  is  considered  as  having 
been  made  in  1731.  It  was  incorporated  in  October,  1737. 
The  first  ministeit'  was  the  Rev.  Andrew  Bartholomew,  or- 
dained  about  the  year  1736.  .  ^d.^ 

About  the  same  time  Kent,  anbUier  of  tne  new  townships,  Kent  ■et<- 
was  settled.    It  was  sold  at  auction,  at  the  court-house,  in  *|^^  «"»d''>'» 
Windham,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  March,  1 738.     The  set-  ^^yj^9. 
tlement  commenced  the  sa^ie  year.    The  town  was  laid 
out  in  fifty-three  shares.     The  principal  settlers  i^ere  from 
Colchester,  Fairfield,  and  Norwalk.     Payne,  Washburn, 
Wright,  Ransom,  and  Piatt,  were  fi:om  Colchester;  the 
Comstocks  virere  firom  Fairfield ;  and  the  Slausons,  Can- 
ficlds,  and  Bassetts,  were  from  Norwalk.    The  town  wa^ 
incorporated,  and  vested  with  the  privileges  of  the  other 
towns,  at  the  session  in  October,  1739.    The  first  minis- 

*  .Mrs.  Lyman,  tfie  first  womein  ivho  moved  into  the  town,  wai  alive  iq 
1800,  in  the  89th  year  of  her  age.    At  this  waa  then  conaidered  as  a  Tron- 

ikt  town,  a  fortification  was  erected  aot  far  Irim  the  c<;ntre  of  the  toMra. 

o  ' 


!•)({ 


1IIST0RV  OF 


Chap,  VT. 


i  1! 

\  iiif 

Rook  11.  irr  \Tr»     ihr  Hrv.  Cynis  Mnnh,  onloin<'<l  Mny  6th,  I74U 

s^*>^"^  TIm'  sritUnM'iif  of ihr  lown  w»«  rnj)i«l.     In  Miiy,  when  Mr. 

17.3(i.     !VliM>h  w;iA  or<h(iiio<l,  fhr  churrh  roiiHifttrd  ol  ton  mulcH 

finly;  Imt  iM'furr  the  i»inl(>l'th«  yrsir,  thrrr  was  an  nckJi- 

lioii  of  fifry.fhMT  |)cnoi>A,  nmlr  and  fomalc,  principally  by 

ncoinnirniJittioiiH  fioinolhn'  rhtirchrs. 

'riicrc  i«,  in  this  town,  ( onvincing  rvidcnrr,  that  it  wan 
t  f^rand  nrat  of  the  native  infiabitanfA  of  thin  country,  hcfor** 
the  Indiiinft,  who  more  lately  inhabited  it,  had  any  rcsi- 
rnilinni  m  'l'''>^«' '»  •'•  There  are  arrow  head*,  Mone  potn,  and  a 
K«n(.  sort  of  knives,  and  various  kinds  of  utensiln,  fre(|uenlly 
fotnid  by  the  Knirlifth,  of  Mich  curious  workmanship,  as  ex- 
ceeds all  the  skill  of  any  Indians,  since  the  Englisti  came 
ililo  this  coui\try,  and  became  ac(|uainted  with  them. 
These  were  not  only  found  when  the  town  was  first  >et- 
iled,  but  they  arc  still  found  on  the  sides  of  Housatonick 
liver. 

The  history  of  the  Imiians  in  the  town  when  the  settle- 
rn^iit  of  it  ( oinmenced,  is  well  lin«wn.  Mowehue».  a  sa- 
I  lieni  whoa  few  years  before  had  removed  with  his  In- 
ilians  from  Newtown  to  New-Millord,  about  the  year  172C, 
buill  him  a  hunting  house  at  Scatacook,  in  the  north  west 
part  of  Kent,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Housatonick  river. 
He  invited  the  Indians  at  New-Millbixl,  from  the  Oblong, 
ill  the  province  of  New-York,  and  from  various  other 
places,  tu  settle  with  him  at  Scatacook  ;  and  it  appears 
that  he  was  a  man  ofso  much  art  and  popularity,  amonp^ 
rhc  Indians,  (hat  in  about  ten  or  eleven  years,  about  the 
lime  when  the  town  was  settled,  he  could  muster  an  hun- 
dred warriors.  The  whole  number,  probably,  was  about 
five  or  six  hundred.  These,  like  the  other  Indians  in  thi* 
slate,  and  in  most  of  the  other  states,  have  been  greatly 
(iiminishod.  Their  whole  number,  at  this  time,  is  not 
more  than  forty. 
iVriHioiin-  '^^^  Moravian  missionaries  visited  these  Indians  about 
lies  from  -ihc  time  of  the  j^reat  rcKgious  coneern  in  this  country. 
♦lie  Mora-  They  came  first,  in  the  year  1740,  and  visited  the  Indian 
vians.  village  called  Chekanieka,  in  the  Oblong,  in  the  pro-^ 
vince  of  New- York.  They,  about  the  same  time,  came 
and  pi-eachcd  to  the  Scatacook  Indians,  and  in  174S, 
according  to  their  account,  the  Scatacook  sacheih  was 
baptized  by  them.  In  this  place  they  formed  a  church, 
and  had  a  flourishing  congregation.  They  baptized  an 
hundred  and  fifty  of  the  Kent  Indians.  It  is  universally 
testified,  that  these  missionaries  were  very  inofiensiVe 
people ;  that  they  were  well  esteemed,  and  kindly  treated 
hy  the  people  of  the  town  while  they  tajricd.    They, 


'i 


<  tur.  VI. 


CONNECTKiT. 


Ift. 


le,   is  not 


ime,  came 


however,  rotnpKiin  of  ihrmHclvrs  as  ill  trraled.  |»rr^<M'iiir»l,  Bo<m  II. 
iinil  impri*oneil ;  but  it  loulil  not  !»«•  hy  the  imojiU-  oIToii-  v^^*"^*' 
iicriiriit.  17J«i. 

Wliiii  heramc  of  the  Indians,  who  were  firnt  on  the 
(jmiitid,  before  the  Kn^hth  h.id  any  scidemi  nts  then*,  i^ 
not  known.  When  they  moved  away,  or  to  what  plarc. 
<  annot  be  ascertained.  The  i>rr)babdity  however  i*,  thai 
^ley  were  connected  with  Fhili|)!>^  Indians  in  the  Wai- 
^igaiast  New-England  ;  and  that  in  the  slaughter  whieh 
the  Connecticut  troops  made  of  the  Indiana,  on  the  Housa- 
toiii(  k,  at  the  close  of  that  war,  numbent  of  them  wen- 
Alain,  and  that  the  rest  were  ho  alarmed,  that  they  remo- 
ved into  Canada,  as  many  other  Indians  did  about  th<- 
oiinic  time. 

In  this  town,  a  la<i^e  bed,  or  mine  of  iron  ore,  was  dis- 
rovercd  in  the  south  part,  about  the  time  of  its  settlement. 
From  this,  twenty  three  forges  are  prin(:i[)ally  supplied 
with  ore  annually.  Tlicre  are  six  forgcH  in  Kent,  whii-li 
annually  manufacture  one  hundred  and  fifty  tons  of  iron 
for  market,  exclusive  of  what  in  used  by  the  inhabitants  of 
»hc  town. 

Goshen  was  settled  nearly  at  the  same  time  with  KerU.  Sottlcmcm 
The  township  was  sold,  at  New-Ilaven,  on  the  first  Tucs-  f»'j<l'>i«<f'f3' 
day  in  December,  1737.  It  is  nine  miles  In  length,  from"  '^"* 
north  to  south,  and  four  and  an  half  in  breadth  from  cabt  to 
west.  Its  boundaries  are,  Norfolk  on  the  north,  Torrine. 
ton  and  Winchester  on  the  east,  Litchfield  on  the  south, 
and  Cornwall  on  the  west.  Its  settlement  commenced  in 
1738,  or  in  1739,  The  first  inhabitants  were  principally 
from  NeW'Havcn,  Wallingford  and  Karmington.  It  in- 
cludes a  considerable  quantity  of  the  highest  lands  in  the 
state.  In  one  part  of  the  town,  from  the  same  spot  mav 
be  seen,  the  Catskill  mountains  on  the  west  of  Hudson's  ri- 
ver, and  a  very  considerable  extent  of  country  east  of 
Connecticut  river,  including  a  prospect  of  more  than  an 
hundred  miles  in  the  whole*  There  is  this  rare  and  pecu- 
liar circumstance,  with  respect  to  what  is  called  the*  east 
street,  in  Goshen ;  that,  the  rain  which  falls  on  the  front 
of  the  houses  descends  into  the  Housatonick  river,  ami 
that  which  falls  on  the  back  side  into  the  Waterbury  river. 

The  elevation  of  the  town,  and  its  exemption  from 
marshy  grounds,  renders  it  peculiarly  healthy.  It  nevev 
has  been  visited  with  a  general  and  mortal  sickness,  from 
the  commencement  of  the  settlement  to  the  present  time. 
Though  a  «mall  proportion  of  the  town  is  rough  and  moun- 
tainous, yet  the  lands  are  generally  strong,  and  excellent 
for  movang  and  pasturage.     ^lence,  large  quantititi  ot 


108 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  VI. 


Canaan 
settled  and 
made  a 
tpwii. 


Book  II.  beef,  butter  and  cheese,  arc  annually  sent  to  market  from 
Vi^-N^N*/  this  town.*     The  first  minister  in  the  town  was  the  Rev. 
1 739.    Stephen  Hcaton,  from  North-Haven.    He  was  ordained  in 
in  1 740.     A  charter  of  incorporation  was  given  in  Octo- 
ber, 1749. 

The  townships  of  Canaan  and  Sharon,  were  sold  and  set- 
tled nearly  at  the  same  time.  Canaan  )*ras  sold  at  auc- 
tion, in  Nei^-London,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  January, 
1730.  It  is  bounded,  west  by  Salisbury,  or  Housatonick 
river,  which  is  the  dividing  line  between  the  two  town- 
ships ;  north  on  the  boundary  line  between  Connecticut 
and  Massachusetts ;  east  on  Norfolk,  and  south  on  Corn- 
wall. The  town  is  nine  miles  in  length,  and  four  miles 
and  an  half  at  one  end,  and  five  at  the  other.  The  settle- 
ment of  the  town  began  in  June,  the  same  year  in  which  it 
was  sold.  The  first  inhabitants  were,  ^  -del  and  Isaac 
Lawrence,  John  Franklin,  and  others,  wno  joined  them  in 
the  settlement  about  the  same  time.  The  town  was  incor- 
porated in  1739.  The  first  minister  of  the  town  was  the 
Rev.  Elisha  Webster.  He  was  ordained,  October  Ist, 
1740. 
liea'ahdil.  ^^^^O"  ^^^  settled  in  the  years  1738  and  1739.  In  the 
corpora-  '  spring  of  this  year,  between  fourteen  and  twenty  families., 
tcdv  from  Colchester  and  Lebanon,  made  settlements  in  the 
town.  The  next  spring,  a  larger  number,  fi-om  New- 
Haven,  joined  them,  so  that  the  inhabitants  soon  became 
very  considerable.  The  town  was  incorporated  in  Octo- 
ber, 1739.  Soon  after  the  setUement  of  the  town,  (per- 
haps about  1740,)  one  Mr.  Pratt,  was  called  and  settled 
for  their  first  minister :  but  he  continued  in  th^  ministry  not 
more  than  four  or  five  years. 
Settlement  Salisbury,  another  township  belonging  to  the  governor 
and  company,  was  sold  at  Hartford,  in  1737.  It  is  bound- 
ed, on  the  north,  upon  the  line  between  Connecticut  and 
Massachusetts,  seven  mile^  and  an  half;  on  the  west,  by 
the  dividing  line  between  Connecticut  and  New- York, 
eight  miles  and  three  quarters ;  it  is  bounded  south,  seven 
miles  on  Sharon ;  east,  6n  Canaan,  or  the  Housatonick. 
It  had  been  laid  out  intb  lots  in  1732,  about  five  years  be- 

*  The  quantity  of  cheese,  manufactured  |n  the  town,  and  carried  to 
market  in  IR&l,  was'  Supposed  to  amoudt  at  Wst  to  270,000  weight, 
making  an  income  to  the  farmers  of  about  1^4,000  dollars.  This  is  sup- 
posed to  be  nearly  equal  to  all  their  income  froqi  other  sources.  In  this 
town,  there  was  a  great  abundance  of  the  hard  maple  tre^s,  and  great 
quantities  of  maple  sugar  hare  been  atanutklly  made  by  (he  inhabitants.  Tq 
tiomc  years,  the  quantity  manufactured  has  been  estimated  at  20fi00 
pounds.  Of  late  years,  owing  to  the  diminution  and  decayed  state  of  tli9 
tr'?*"',  the  quantify  has  been  much  lew  '    •• 


and  histo 
ry  ofSalis 
byry. 


Chap.  VI. 

market  from 
ras  the  Rev. 
t  ordained  in 
ven  in  Octo- 

sold  and  set- 
sold  at  auc- 
r  in  January* 
Housatonick 
he  two  town- 
Connecticut 
uth  on  Corn- 
id  four  miles 
The  settlc- 
ar  in  which  it 
iel  and  Isaac 
Dined  them  in 
wn  was  incor- 
town  was  the 
October  Istj 

1739.  In  the 
renty  families,, 
ements  in  the 
,  from  New- 
soon  became 
ated  in  Octo- 
town,  (per- 
and  settled 
i^  ministry  not 

the  governor 
It  is  bound- 
mnecticut  and 
1  the  west,  by 
d  New- York, 
1  south,  seven 

Housatonick. 
five  years  be- 

n,  and  carried  to 
270,000  weight, 
art.  This  is  »up- 
r  sources.  In  this 
tr&as,  and  great 
e  inhabitant*.  In 
Imated  at  20,0001 
^ayed  state  of  tii^ 


Chap.  VI. 


eONNECTICUT. 


1011 


lore  the  public  sale  of  it.     A  few  persons  made  settlements  Book  11. 
npon  part  of  the  lands  at  an  early  period.     About  the  year  *^-v-w 
1720,  three  families  made  settlements  on  that  part  of  it    1741. 
railed  Weatog.     There  was  a  family  of  Duchers,  anotljcr 
of  Van  Deursens,  and  one  of  Whites.  The  two  former  were 
Dutch  people,  but  White  was  an  Englishman.     This  little 
Hcttlcmcnt  gradually  increased,  and  was  the  only  one  within 
the  limits  ot  the  township,  until  about  the  year  1740.     At 
that  period,  there  were  eleven  English,  and  five  Dutch  fa-  '")i'""y2^' 
milies  in  the  town.    The  next  year  it  was  incorporated,  and  '  ' 
niadc  a  distinct  town. 

When  the  settlement  of  the  town  commenced,  there  was 
a  considerable  number  of  Indians  in  the  town.  In  1 740, 
there  were  seventy  wigwams,  all  in  a  cluster,  at  Weatog, 
where  the  first  inhabitants  of  the  town  planted  themselves. 
These  Indians  were  friendly  and  hospitable  to  the  white 
people,  and  encouraged  their  settling  among  them.  The 
town  was  called  Weatog,  and  Housatonick,  until  it  was 
named  by  the  assembly,  when  it  -'as  called  Salisbury,  from 
u  gentleman  of  that  name,  who  v.as  pne  of  the  principal 
jjlanters  of  the  town.* 

This  town  is  distinguished  by  the  large  and  excellent 
iron  ort  bed  which  it  contains.  It  was  discovered  and 
opened  about  the  year  1 730.  It  was  found  in  the  lands  of 
one  Bissel,  and  in  those  given  by  the  colony  for  the  benefit 
of  Yale  College.  It  comprises  a  tract  of  about  one  hun- 
dred acres.  For  sixty  years  past,  there  has  annually  been 
taken  from  this  bed,  two  thousand  tons  of  ore.  It  is  rich, 
making  from  two  and  two  and  an  half  tons  of  ore,  one  ton 
of  pig  iron.  About  four  tons  will  make  a  ton  of  bar  iron. 
The  metal  is  of  the  best  quality.  There  is  ore  found  in 
various  other  parts  of  the  tow  n.  As  early  as  the  year 
1740,  a  furnace  was  built  at  Ancram,  9^bout  twelve  miles  a 
Jttle  north  of  west  from  the  great  ore  bed.  In  1762,  one 
'was  erected  by  one  Mr.  Hazelton  and  others,  in  Uiis  town ; 
and  in  1770,  it  was  rebuilt.  The  iron  at  this  furnace  is 
generally  made  into  pigs,  small  ware,  and  pot  ash  kettles. 
Cannon  have  also  been  cast  here,  from  four  to  thirty  two 
pounders ;  especially,  during  the  American  revolutionary 

*  There  is  a  very  rare  tradition  concerning  this  Salisbury.  That  hr 
removed  into  the  state  of  New- York,  some  time 'after  the  f>et(Icmcnt  of 
Ihetown,  and  having'  an  unruly  servant  girl.  Who  ran  away  from  hini, 
he  pursued  her,  and  having  taken  her,-  tied  her  to  his  horse,  and  rode  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  throw  her  down,-  and  xo  worried  and  wounded  her, 
tliat  she  died.  In  consequence  of  this  abuse  of  the  girl,  he  was  fried  for  his 
life,  and  condemned  to  be  hanged  when  he  should  arrive  at  the  age  of  100 
years.    In  1799,  he  arrived  at  that  farm  of  life,  a«d  then  obtained  a  re- 

rrieve  for  a  certain  fimr , 


.110 


IIL^TORV  OK 


Chap.  \  I. 


J?«n 


Book  il.  v.ar.  Many  were  also  cast  aftrr\varii>,  in  the  years  1707 
v^'v'^^atid  1798.  The  two  furnaces  already  mentionnd,  and  ;>- 
1741.  bout  fifteen  forges  in  the  vicinity,  depend  almost  rntirel\ 
on  this  j^reat  ore  bed,  for  their  ore.  The  furnace  in  Sali- 
bury,  is  generally  kept  in  blast  from  four  to  live  months  in 
a  year,  and  manufuctures  from  eighteen  to  twenty  tons  pc 
week.  Another  furnace  was  built  in  Salisbury,  in  1806. 
There  is  a  pond  whose  surface  contains  about  seven 
hundred  acres  of  water.  This  supplies  the  furnace,  a 
grist  mill  and  a  carding  machine  with  water.*  There  arc 
eight  other  ponds  in  the  town ;  one  is  larger  than  thai 
which  supplies  the  furnace  :  the  others  are  smaller. 
There  are  also  a  great .  number  of  creeks  scattered  over 
the  town,  which  aflbi'd  many  excellent  seals  for  every  kind 
of  works,  which  can  be  carried  on  by  water.  A  gentle- 
man of  ingenuity  observes,  "  The  abundance  of  ore,  thr.' 
''quantity  of  wood,  the  variety  of  seats  for  water  works. 
"  artord  a  prospect,  that  at  some  future  time,  this  town 
"  may  rival  Sheffield  and  Birmingham,  in  the  extensivc- 
"  ncss  of  its  iron  manufactures."  Besides  these  advan- 
tages, the  town  abounds  with  all  kinds  of  grain,  especial- 
ly with  wheat.  It  furnishes  fine  tracts  of  pasturage,  and 
many  excellent  dairies  are  kept  in  the  town.  No  one 
town,  perhaps,  produces  a  greater  abundance  of  all  the 
necessaries  and  comforts  of  life  than  this.t 

The  first  minister  of  the  town  was  the  Rev.  Jonathan 
Lee.  He  was  ordained  on  the  23d  of  November,  1744. 
At  the  time  of  his  ordination,  there  were  not  more  than 
eighteen  or  twenty  families  in  the  town.  The  town  at  first 
was  fortified  in  several  places,  and  guards  were  kept  on 
the  sabbath. 

Cornwall,  the  middle  township  on  the  Housatonick, 
sold  by  the  colony,  was  laid  out  in  fifty  three  allotments, 
or  rights.  It  contained  23,654  acres',  and  was  sold  at 
Fairfield,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  February,  1738.  It 
was  sold  for  fifty  pounds  per  right.     There  was  no  pcr- 

*  This  pond  was  called  by  the  Indian?,  Wanieopomick.  The  remarka- 
ble falls  in  the  river  between  tliis  town  and  Caosian,  have  been  noticed  hi 
the  first  volume  of  this  history.  These,  it  is  supposed,  are  nearly  equal 
to  any  thins:  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States,  except  the  falls  of  Niagara. 

t  I'here  is  a  tradition  in  this  town,  that  many  years  before  its  settle- 
went,  a  colonel  Whitiog  pursued  a  body  of  ladians,  as  far  as  the  no^tii 
cast  part  of  the  town,  and  there  oa  the  banks  of  the  llousatonick,  sur- 
prised and  defeated  them,  with  great  slaughter.  About  seventy  Indian 
L'raves  aro  visible  there  unto  this  day.  TIte  name  of  the  officer  seems  to 
have  been  luistakea.  Major  Talcolt  pursued  the  flyiog  Indians  at  tiif^ 
close  of  rhilip^s  war,  and  made  considerable  slaughter  among  them.  This 
ivas  in  August  or  September,  1676.  See  the  first  volume  of  thi-  historj, 
It  was  reported  that  seventy  Indians  were  killed.  Major  T^cott  lost  onr 
wan  onlv. 


Sptlle- 
mcnt  and 
history  of 
Cornwall. 


Chap.  VI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


in 


rnancnt  srttlemcnt  if  ihe  township,  until  thr  ^prinj^  of  thr  Book  II. 
vcar,  1740,  or.  {"'i  The  first  inhabitants  were  Irom  va-  s^*^*^^ 
lious  parts  of  the  ^  ;i,ny.  The  Aliens  and  Griftins  were  1741. 
trom  Litchfield  ;  the  ^'ullers  and  Roberts'  from  Colches- 
ter; the  Holloways  were  from  Middlebnry,  in  Massachu- 
>rlts :  but  the  greatest  number,  the  Jewetts,  Spauldings, 
{{arrets,  Squires'  and  others,  were  from  Plainfield.  There 
fvr  re  a  number  of  others  from  Norwalk,  Tolland,  and  other 
lowns.  Such  a  number  of  inhabitants  planted  themselves 
in  the  town  at  once,  that  they  were  able  to  support  the  gos- 
jjol  from  the  commencement  of  the  settlement.  On  the 
third  Wednesday  of  August,  1741,  the  Rev.  Solomon  Pal- 
mer, was  ordained  to  the  pastoral  offite  over  them.  He 
(ontinucd  with  them  in  peace,  until  March,  1754,  when  on 
ihc  sabbath,  to  the  great  surprise  of  the  people,  he  declar- 
ed himself  to  be  an  Episcopalian  in  sentiment.  He  soon 
after  went  to  England,  and  obtained  orders.  He  was 
uiiginally  of  Branford,  and  had  his  educaUon  at  Yale  C*oI- 
Icge. 

The  face  of  the  country  is  rough  and  mountainous,  but 
•10  part  of  the  town  is  barren.  The  mountains  to  the  very 
fops  are  covered  with  lofty  timber ;  the  vales  and  sides  of 
the  mountains,  are  rich  and  productive  ;  the  waters  ex- 
cellent and  abundant.  It  is  supposed,  that  it  has  plenty 
of  iron  ore ;  some  has  been  dug,  but  as  no  furnace  has 
been  erected  in  the  town,  and  the  other  furnaces  in  the 
county  are  amply  supplied  from  ore  in  their  vicinity,  little  * 

attention  has  hitherto  been  given  it.     There  is  in  the  » 

town,  a  rich  mine  of  black  lead,  in  what  is  called  mine 
mountain,  near  the  Heusatonick. 

The  township  of  New-Hartford,  was  granted  to  thcNcw-- 
Ilartford  patentees.     It  is  bounded  west  on  Torrington  ;  Hartforji 
south,  partly  on  Harwinton  and  partly  on  Fsrmington ;  fettled  and 
east,  on  Simsbury,  and  north  on  Barkhampstead.     It  con-  r"^ndL° 
tains  23,940  acres.     The  settlement  of  the  town  commenc- 
ed about  the  year  1733,  and  it  appears  soon  after  to  have 
been  incorporated.     The  ^rst  and  principal  planters  were 
from  Hartford.     They  were  John,  Cyprian  and  Zechariah 
Watson,    Joseph  Gillet,  Noah  Merril,   deacon    Martni 
Smith,  Thomas  Olcott,  Stephen  Kelsey,  Matthew  Gillet, 
John  Andrus,  Jonathan  Marsh,  Daniel  Shepard,  Samuel 
Douglass,  Eleazer  Goodwin  and  others.     The  first  minis- 
tor  of  the  town,  was  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Marsh,  son  of  tht* 
Rev.  Jonathan   Marsh  of  Windsor,  ordained  the  second 
Wednesday  in  October,  1 739.     He  continued  in  the  min- 
istry between  fifty  four  and  fifty  five  years.    As  this  was  a 
(orntier  town,  some  fcM'tifications  wo'-e  erected  for  th'^  de- 
iVnce  of  the  inbabitar.»«. 


112 


IflSTORY  OF 


Chaf.  V7. 


1| 


HarttaiHi 


1757. 


sold  nnd 
ibttled. 


Book  If.  Huriiuul  war*  nnofhcr  township  belonging  to  the  Hart- 
foni  patentees.  It  is  bounded  north  on  the  dividing  lin» 
between  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  south  on  Bark- 
hampstcad,  edston  Granby,  and  west  on  Cole  brook.  I* 
contains,  by  estimation,  17,654  acres.  The  proprietory 
held  their  first  meeting  at  Hartford,  on  the  10th  of  July. 
1 733.  But  the  lands  did  not  sell ;  and  during  the  term  of 
twenty  years,  there  was  no  peimanent  settlement  made  on 
the  lands,  cither  by  the  proprietors  themselves,  or  any 
other  person.  The  first  family  that  moved  into  the  town, 
was  John  Kendal  and  his  wife,  m  the  spring  of  1 753.  But 
the  next  year  he  moved  a\Vay  for  fear  of  the  Indians.  The 
.same  year,  deacon  Thomas  Giddings  from  Lyme,  made  a 
permanent  settlement,  with  his  family,  in  the  township. 
The  next  year,  1 755,  two  more  families  joined  them.  In 
1757,  four  families  more,  from  Lyme  and  East-Haddam, 
were  added  to  the  settlement.  At  this  period,  there  were 
eight  or  nine  families  In  the  town.  In  1760,  several  other 
families,  from  Lyme  and  East-Haddam,  joined  themselves 
to  the  former  settlers^  The  settlement  was  very  slow,  so 
that  it  was  about  eight  years  from  this  time,  before  theiir 
numbers  and  estate  were  sufficient  to  support  a  minister. 
The  first  church  in  the  town  was  gathered,  consisting  of 
seven  males  and  four  females.  May  4th,  1 768 ;  and  on 
the  18th  of  June  following,  the  Rev.  Sterling  Graves,  from 
East-Haddam,  wasordained^ 

The  town  of  Norfolk^  which  was  the  first  town  appoint- 
ed to  be  sold  for  the  colony,  at  Hartford,  on  the  second 
Tuesday  in  April,  1738,  was  not  sold  until  about  sixteen 
years  from  that  time ;  as  such  quantities  of  land  were  selling 
by  the  Hartford  and  Windsor  people,  and  by  the  colony ; 
and  as  some  of  the  other  townships  were  judged  to  be  pre- 
ferable to  ity  both  as  to  soil,  and  as  they  were  nearer  to 
the  old  settlements.     At  the  time  it  was  first  offered  for 
sale,  one  bidder  only  was  found  for  a  part  of  the  town- 
ship.    The  assembly  therefore  suspendea  the  sale  of  it  for 
about  two  years.     In  May,  1 750,  it  was  enacted,  that  the 
rest  of  the  township  should  be  sold  at  Hartford,  at  public 
vendue,  on  the  third  Tuesday  of  December,  then  next  en- 
suing ;  and  that  the  vendue  should  be  continued  until  the 
sale  of  it  should  be  finished.     This  was  not, done  till  about 
four  years  from  that  time.     The  proprietors  held  their  first 
meeting  after  the  sale  was  completed,  in  December,  1754. 
The  town  is  nine  miles  in  length  and  nearly  seven  in 
breadth.     If  is  bounded  north,  on  the  line  between  Con- 
necticut and  Massachusetts ;  east  on  Colebrook  ;  south, 
partly  on  Winchester  and  partly  on  Goshen ;  and  west,  ori 


m: 


Cbap  VL 


CONNECTICUT. 


lis 


I  lo  the  Hart- 
dividing  lin^ 
lUth  on  Bark- 
jlfbrook.     1* 
B  proprictor>' 
lOlhof  July, 
g  the  term  of 
ment  made  on 
;lvcs,  or  any 
into  the  town, 
►fl753.     But 
Indians.    The 
*ymc,  made  a 
the  township, 
led  them.     In 
Easl-Haddam, 
id,  there  were 
several  other 
led  themselves 
very  slow,  so 
;,  before  their 
irt  a  minister.' 
,  consisting  of 
[768;  and   on 
5  Graves,  from 

town  appoint- 
on  the  second 
about  sixteen 
id  were  selling 
)y  the  colony ; 
red  to  be  pre- 
were  nearer  to 
rst  offered  for 
pt  of  the  town- 
le  sale  of  it  for 
acted,  that  the 
ord,  at  public 
,  then  next  en- 
inued  until  the 
ione  till  about 
held  their  first 
cember,  1754. 
arly  seven  in 
between  Con> 
brook  ;  south, 
and  west,  on 


V 


Canaan.     At  the  time  when  the  township  was  sold,  there  Book  II. 
were  twelve  or  fourteen  persons  on  the  lands,  who  became  v^'v^^i' 
)roprictors.     The   first  inhabitants  were  f.-om  Hartford,    1758. 
fVindsor,  Simsbury,  and  Danbury.     The  iown  was  incor* 
poratcd  in  1758.     At  this  period  the  inhabitants  consisted  Incnrfm- 
of  twenty-seven  families  only.     There  were  fifty  proprie-  'iV^''* 
tors,  ana  it  was  a  condition  among  tlir  proprietors,  that 
each  proprietor  should  settle  one  family  upon  each  right 
in  five  years.     This  so  expedited  the  settlement,  that,  in 
about  three  years,  they  increased  to  seventy  families.  The 
first  minister,  the  Rev.  Auyni  R.  Robbins,  was  ordained 
in  October,  1761. 

The  township  of  Winchester  belonged  to  the  patentees  Winrhr*. 
of  Hartford.     It  is  bounded  north  on  Colebrook,  east  on  **^'"  '"*^"^ 
Barkhampstcad,  south  on  Torrington,  and  west  on  Goshen ''""  '^ 
and  Norfolk.     It  contains,  by  estimation,  20,380  acres. 
The  township  was  laid  out  into  distinct  lots  in  1758.     In 
May,  1771,  it  was  incorporated,  and  vested  with  the  privi- 
leges of  the  other  towns.    The  Rev.  Joshua  Knapp  was 
ordained  the  first  pastor  of  the  church  in  the  town,  Noyeui' 
ber  11th,  1772. 

Barkhampstcad  was  a  township  granted  to  the  people  Bark- 
of  Windsor,  and  contains,  by  estimation,  20,530  acres.  Its  harapstcad 
boundaries  are  Siipsbury  on  the  east,  New-Hartford  on  '*  *  ' 
the  south,  Winchester  on  the  west,  and  Hartland  on  the 
north.  The  first  person  who  made  a  permanent  settlement 
in  the  town,  was  Pelatiah  AUyn,  from  Windsor,  about  the 
year  1 749.  He  remained  the  only  person  on  the  ground, 
for  ten  years  or  more.  His  plantation  was  toward  the 
south  part  of  the  town,  not  far  from  the  dividing  line  be-* 
tween  that  town  and  New-Hartford.  As  there  were  fre- 
quent alarms,  on  account  of  the  Indians,  he  used,  in  dmes 
when  danger  was  apprehended,  to  repair  to  a  fortified 
post  in  the  northern  part  of  New-Hartford.  He  took  spc« 
cial  measures  to  guard  himself  against  a  surprise  at  his 
own  house,  The  next  man  who  made  a  settlement  in  the 
town,  was  Israel  Jones,  from  Enfield,  about  the  year  1759. 
There  were  very  few  residents  in  the  town,  until  after  the 
French  war,  in  1762.  About  this  time,  William  Austin, 
from  Sufiield,  and  Amos  Case,  from  Simsbury,  became  resi- 
dents in  the  town ;  but  the  settlement  was  slow.  The  in- 
habitants were  so  few,  that  they  were  not  called  upon  to 
do  military  duty  until  1774.  The  town  was  incorporated 
in  1779.  The  Rev.  Ozias  Eells,  the  first  minister  in  the 
town,  was  ordained  January  24th,  1787.  ^ 

Colebrook  was  the  north  township  granted  to  the  town  Cole-  ^ 
Qf  Windsor.    It  is  bounded  north  on  we  colony  line,  south  Ij^T^  W" 


:.,       ^■. 


tZ\: 


H' 


114 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  VH. 


11 


Book  1 1,  on  New-Hartford,  west  on  Norfolk,  and  cast  on  Hartlund. 

N^^v^^  It  contains,  by  estimation,  18,19U  acres.  The  first  and 
1762.  principal  settlers  of  the  town,  were  Joseph  Rockwell,  Na- 
than Bass,  and  Samuel  Rockwell,  from  East- Windsor ;  and 
.Joseph  Seymour,  from  Windsor.  The  settlement  began 
in  1762.  To  the  town,  or  first  society,  is  added  a  mile 
square  from  the  town  of  Winchester.  The  church  in  the 
town  was  gathered  in  the  year  1795.  On  the  31st  of  De- 
cember, in  the  same  year,  the  first  pastor,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Jonathan  Edwards,  was  installed. 

These  were  all  the  original  towns  in  the  colony.  The 
other  towns,  of  later  date,  have  all  been  made,  in  whole  or 
in  part,  out  of  the  original  ones.  Thus,  in  about  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty  years,  the  whole  tract  comprised  in  Con- 
necticut, east  of  the  line  of  New- York,  became  settled,  and 
a  vast  wilderness,  which  had  not  been  sown,  full  of  savage 
beasts,  and  wild  and  savage  men,  was  turned  into  fields, 
orchards,  and  gardens ;  planted  with  Protestants,  formed 
into  distinct  and  regular 'churches ;  and  through  the  whole 
tract,  houses  erected,  at  convenient  distances,  for  the  wor- 
ship of  God. 

The  county  of  Litchfield  was  settled  in  about  seventy- 
five  years  from  the  commencement  of  the  settlement  of  the 
county  town,  and  the  inhabitants  of  every  town  had  called 
and  pettleda  minister*  .     ...   .       .       :    ,. 


^^  '  '  ''    IMvi 

.'  t 

^.-  -! 

■,»  .■. 

''  I'M-                                J'i!' 

K 

• '  ii'i 

.j>  V 

CHAPTER  VII, 

■  ,'**  \ 

u\%.. 

,...u.. 

'»  I- 


Separation  at  Guilford.  Rev,  Mr,  Rugghs  was  ordained  at 
Guilford^  againat  a  large  minority,  who  were  in  opposition 
to  him*  The  minority  separate  from  the  church  and  soci^ 
ety.  The  legislature  interpose,  and  attempt  a  reconcilia- 
tion. The  minority  persist  in  their  separation:  Qualify 
themselves  for  a  distinct  ecclesiastical  society,  by  conform- 
ing to  the  act  of  William  and  Mary,  Resolutions  of  the 
Consociation  of  fhe  County  of  New-Haven  respecting  them* 
They  refuse  to  comply  with  said  resolutions.  In  conse- 
quence of  it,  forty-six  church  members  were  suspended 
from  the  communion,  by  Mr,  Ruggles  and  the  first  church 
in  Guilford,  from  whom  they  had  separated.  Acts  of  the 
General  Assembly,  and  councils,  concerning  them.  Great 
pains  were  taken,  and  repeated  attempts,  for  many  years, 
were  made  to  unite  the  parties,  but  were  all  unsuccessfuji, 

NEARLY  at  the  same  time  when  the  controversy  be- 
tween the  colony  and  the  towns  of  Hartford  an^ 


HAP. 


vn. 


Cnxr.  VIT. 


CONNECTICUT. 


ltd 


I  Ilurlland. 
e  first  and 
kwell,  Na- 
nilsor;  and 
ncht  began 
dcd  a  mile 
lurch  in  the 
31st  of  De- 
j  Ucv.  Dr. 

ony.  The 
in  whole  or 
>ut  one  hun- 
sed  in  Con- 
settled,  and 
ill  of  savage 
into  fields, 
mts,  formed 
;h  the  whole 
for  the  wor- 


out  seventy- 
ement  of  tne 
n  had  called 


.    t.: 


in 


.»  •  *^ 


s  ordained  at 
in  opposition 
rch  and  sod- 
a  reconcilia- 
ion:  Qiialify 

by  conform- 
itions  of  the 
meeting  them* 
In  const- 
re  suspended 

first  chtcrch 

Acts  of  the 

\hem*    Great 

'manyyearSf 

successfujl, 

itroversy  be- 
lartford  aivj 


Windsor,  relative  to  the  western  lands^  commenced,  and  Book  II. 
occasioned  ,so  much  trouble,  an  unhappy  affair,  of  an  cc-  s^-v-^/ 
elesiastical  nature,  took  place  in  Guilfora,  which  ^vas  the    1729, 
occasion  of  much  trouble  and  perplexity,  both  to  the  town 
and  colony.     Soon  after  the  death  of  the  first  Mr.  Thomas 
Ruggles,  in  1728,  the  first  church  and  society  proceeded  to 
invite  his  son,  Mr.  Thomas  Rugglrs,  to  preach  with  them, 
and  finally  gave  him  a  call  to  settle  with  them  in  the  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry,  and  obtained  his  ordination,  against  Unhappy 
a  large  and  respectable  minority,  who  had  opposed  him  gj^clfy.'"" 
from  the  beginning.     They  alledged  that  he  was  not  such  ford, 
a  distinguishing,  experimental,  and  animating  preacher,  as  March^^ 
they  desired ;  that  they  were  not  edified  by  him,  and  could  *^^®' 
not  choose  him  ns  their  minister.     As  the  majority  of  the 
church  and  society  had  not  regarded  them  in  the  call  and 
ordination  of  their  minister,  and  as  they  conscientiously 
judged  that  they  could  not  be  edified  by  his  preaching, 
they  separated  themselves  from  the  first  church  and  socic-  Separation 
ly  in  Guilford,  and  set  up  the  public  worship  of  God  among  fo^j  17*29^. 
themselves.     They  invited  a  young  gentleman,  Mr.  Ed- 
mund Ward,  to  preach  for  them,  who  had  received  an  edu- 
cation at  Yale  College,  been  examined  by  the  Association 
of  New-Haven  county,  and  approbated,  as  a  suitable  can- 
didate for  the  gospel  ministry.     The  separation  was  large, 
consisting  of  nearly  fifty  members  of  the  church,  besides 
many  others  who  belonged  to  the  society.     The  minor 
party  rated  more  than  three  thousand  pounds  in  the  list. 
They  considered  themselves  as  well  able  to  support  the 
gospel  ministry  and  the  divine  ordinances,  among  them- 
selves, and  earnesdy  desired  to  do  it.   They  declared  their 
disapprobation  of  the  Saybrook  Platform,  and  that  they 
totally  renounced  it. 

At  the  session  of  the  General  Assembly  in  May,  theyj^^yj^'^o. 
therefore,  presented  their  memorial  to  the  legislature,  pray- 
ing to  be  made  a  distinct  ecclesiastical  society,  with  the 
same  powers  and  privileges  granted  to  other  societies. 
The  assembly  rejected  their  petition,  and  resolved  as  fol- 
lows: "This  assembly,  observing  that  the  inhabitants  of ^*^*°'^*''^ 
"  Guilford  have  lately  been  at  great  expense  in  raising  a  Asseo^jy, 
"  meeting-house,  which  stands  conveniendy,  and  has  ca- 
"  pacity  to  accommodate  the  whole  society,  as  it  now  is, 
"  are  thereupon  of  opinion,  that  the  peace,  religion,  wealth 
"  and  good  order  of  the  inhabitants,  will  be  best  promoted 
"  in  their  keeping  together  in  one  society,  if  the  present 
"  misunderstandings  among  the  people  can  be  removed ; 
"  which  good  thing,  it  is  hoped,  may  oe  attained  by  coun- 
"  sel.    It  is  therefore  resolved,  and  this  assenibiy  do  ap-  ^ 


ill; 


fllSTORY  OF 


Chap.  Vfr. 


Book  II.  "  point  the  l\cv»  Mr.  Timothy  Woodbridge,  Mr.  Eliaphalci 
t^^^v^  '*  Adams,  and  Mr.  William  Russell,  to  repair  to  GuilforcK 
1729.    "  Bnd  to  hear,  consider  and  advise  both  parties,  in  that 


6t)i 


society,  an  they  shall  find  there  is  reason  in  their  case  ; 
"  and  by  all  proper  means,  endeavour  to  effect  an  accom- 
"  modation  of  the  divisiona  that  are  there ;  and  bring  that 
"  people  to  unite  themselves  together  in  love  and  peace,  in 
"  carrying  on  the  worship  of  God,  in  the  house  of  prayer 
'•  they  have  built  to  his  name."  The  gentlemen  were  di- 
rected to  make  their  report  to  the  assembly,  of  their  suc- 
cess, and  of  what  was  best  further  to  be  done  in  the  case. 

The  gentlemen  appointed  to  this  service,  met  at  Guil- 
ford, in  June,  and  came  to  the  following  result. 

"  To  the  Committees  of  the  First  Societi/  in  Guilford, 

"  OHETIIREN, 

Aiyvicc  to  "  We  the  subscribers^  are  of  opinion  with  the  honourable 
tiie  pHrtics  General  Assembly,  that  the  peace,  religion,  wealth  and 
ford',"june  good  order  of  this  society,  will  be  best  promoted,  in  their 
keepifig  together  in  one  society;  and,  having  considered 
the  objections  made  by  tire  dissatisfied  party  against  the 
Rev,  Mr.  Ruggles  and  the  other  part  of  the  society,  and 
what  was  offered  to  support  them ;  and  the  repliies  made  on 
the  other  side ;  we  cannot  judge  from  thence,  there  are  any 
sufficient  grounds,  why  the  party  that  offered  them  should 
separate  from  Mr.  Ruggles,  or  refuse  to  accept  him  as  their 
mmister:  and  there  being  a  settlement  actually  made, 
though  there  may  have  been  uncomfortabfe  things,  unsuit- 
able lieats  and  speeches,  among  divers  of  the  members  of 
the  society,  in  this  day  of  temptation ;  yet  there  appears 
nothing  to  us,  but  that  they  may^  consistent  with  the  rules 
of  the  gospel,  forgive  one  another,  and  bui*y  all  their  con- 
troversy, and  receive  one  another  as  brethren,  and  unitie 
together  in  one  society  and  church,  under  the  minister  or- 
dained in  this  place :  And  it  is  our  advice,  and  earnest  ex- 
hortation, that  they  so  do. 

«T.  WOODBRIDGE, 
,      ,  "  ELIPHALET  ADAMS, 

"^ WILLIAM  RUSSELL. 
'•  Guilford,  June  Gth,  1 729.'" 

Notwithstanding  the  opinicm  of  the  General  Assemr- 
bly,  and  of  the  gentlemen  whom  they  had  appointed  to 
hear  the  parties,  in  Guilford,  the  separating  brethren 
were  so  fully  satisfied,  that  they  could  not  hear  Mr. 
Ruggles  to  their  edification,  and  they  were  so  entirely 
opposed  to  the  Saybrook  platform,  as  it  seemed  to  be 
understood,  as  a  law  of  the   colony  binding  the  con- 


Cmap  "H. 


CONNECTICUT. 


l>7 


sciences  of  men,  that  they  rould  not  Hiibmit  to  (he  nd-  Book  II. 
vice  80  cxpre;jsly  given.  They  were  not  ^atiKfied,  thats^-v-^/ 
(he  legislature  had  a  right  to  interpose  in  ecrlcHiastiral  n'29. 
matters,  and  to  impose  councils  of  their  own  choosing 
upon  the  churches,  or  that  they  were  under  obligations  to 
submit  to  them.  They  believed,  that  they  had  a  rij^ht  to 
urt  according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience,  and  that  it  was 
their  duty,  to  seek  a  minister,  by  whom  they  and  their  chil- 
dren, might  be  indoctrinated  in  the  distinguishing  pritri- 
pics  of  Christianity,  and  in  experimental  religion.  They 
were  persuaded,  that  they  had  a  right,  as  British  subjects, 
to  judge  for  themselves,  and  to  worship  together,  as  a  dis- 
tinct church  and  society.  They  tlierefore,  in  November, 
made  application  to  the  court  at  New-Haven,  to  be  quali- 
fied, according  to  the  act  of  William  and  Mary,  for  the  ease 
of  sober  consciences,  to  worship  by  themselves.  But  the 
( ourt,  considering  it  as  a  new  and  important  affair,  deferred 
it  until  their  next  meeting,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  April. 
On  said  Tuesday,  April,  1730,  divers  of  the  dissenters,  viz.  1730. 
Edmund  Ward,  Caleb  Leete,  Joseph  Stone,  Samuel  Nor- 
ton, Samuel  Crultenden,  Pelatiah  Leete,  Thomas  Norton, 
Ebenezer  Stone,  Daniel  Edwards,  Caleb  Stone,  and  John 
Bishop,  appeared  before  the  court,  took  the  oaths,  made 
and  subscribed  the  declaration  required  by  the  law :  and 
the  said  Edmund  Ward,  preacher,  gave  his  assent  to  the  39 
Articles,  and  subscribed  the  same,  except  the  34th,  35th, 
and  36th  articles,  and  part  of  the  20th,  in  these  words, 
^  The  church  hath  power  to  decree  rites  or  ceremonies, 
and  hath  authority  in  controversies  of  faith."* 

Notwithstanding  the  doings  of  the  assembly,  and  the 
advi'^e  given  them  by  the  gentlemen,  whom  they  had  ap- 
pointed, the  aggrieved  party  were  advised  to  the  measures 
they  adopted,  by  men  of  great  respectability.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Moss,  of  Derby,  in  particular,  gave  it  as  his  decided 
opinion,  that  it  would  be  for  the  peace  of  the  town,  and 
the  benefit  of  both  the  parties,  for  the  people  who  had  se- 
parated to  be  made  a  distinct  ecclesiastical  society,  and 
that  the  legislature  ought  to  hear  their  petition,  and  grant 
them  the  privilege.!  He  appears  to  have  draughted  their 
petition  to  the  county  court.  The  minority,  having  thus 
qualified  themselves  according  to  the  act  of  parliament, 
and  the  laws  of  the  colony,  considered  themselves  as 
having  a  right  to  proceed  in  religious  concerns,  with- 
out any  further  interruption  or  trouble  from  others. 

At  the  session  of  the  General  Assembly  in  May,  they  re-  Mnr.iTSA. 

*  Record  of  the  court  for  the  county  o£,  New-HaYGIi> 

■t  LettfiftoMr.  Ward  J  October  31st,  172$.  v    '       '•    "      • 


118 


HISTORY  OK 


Cm  A  I'.  VII. 


I   ; 


y 


1 7.10. 

Pirns  of  the 
minoril}- 
lK>fi>r«»  the 
Cicncrul 


Book  II.  ncwi'd  llirir  nppliration  to  the  assmihivi  to  rclrasc  ihcm 
from  paying  taxes  to  the  first  society,  ant!  to  make  them  a 
distinct  ecclesiastical  society,  <iccorrline  to  the  prayer  of 
their  petition  on  file.  They  pleaded,  that  they  had  quali- 
fied themselves,  by  act  of  parliament,  and  according  to 
the  statutes  of  the  colony,  to  worship  God  agreeably  to 
the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences,  and  that  it  was  tho 
genuine  meaning  and  design  of  those  statutes  to  rcleasr 
ui'i  people,  thus  soberly  dissenting  from  any  legally  esta- 
blished mode  of  worship,  from  all  burdens  and  molesta- 
tions from  others,  and  was  a  privilege  granted  to  all  de- 
nominations of  christians  in  the  colony  ;  to  the  professors 
of  the  church  of  England,  to  the  baptists,  and  even  to  the 
quakers  ;  and,  that  tney  hoped,  they  were  not  less  deserv- 
ing of  the  care  of  the  legislature  than  those  denomina- 
tions. They  pleaded,  that  the  law,  imposing  taxes  on 
those  who  conscientiously  dissented  from  the  established 
mode,  was  not  of  Christ,  but  of  man,  that  the  kingdom  of 
the  Messiah  was  not  of  this  world,  that  it  needed  no  human 
aid,  and  that  they  humbly  conceived,  that  the  civil  magis- 
trate had  no  right  to  legislate  in  matters  of  conscience, 
binding  christians  to  any  particular  mode  of  worship. 
They  alledged,  that  the  bishop  of  Bangor  preached  a 
sermon  in  1717,  before  his  majesty  king  George  the  First, 
from  John  xviii.  36,  in  which  he  demonstrably  proved, 
that  as  the  kingdom  of  Christ  was  not  of  this  world,  he  was 
king  and  sole  legislator  in  his  own  kingdom,  and  that  the 
civil  magistrate  hath  no  right  to  legislate  in  ecclesiastical 
matters,  and  that  the  sermon  was  so  acceptable  to  his  ma- 
jesty, that  he  gave  it  his  royal  approbation. 

They  also  pleaded,  that  the  law  binding  them  to  hear  a 
minister  whom  they  had  not  chosen,  but  had  been  imposed 
upon  them  by  a  majority,  and  who  lorded  it  over  them,  was 
inconsistent  with  their  charter  rights.  They  urged,  that 
the  law,  obliging  them  to  hear  and  sOpport  a  minister  im- 
posed upon  them,  was  contrary  to  the  laws  of  England. 

Finally,  they  pleaded,  that  the  law  imposed  upon  them 
a  burden  which  was  never  imposed  on  the  necks  of  their 
fathers  in  the  first  settlement  of  this  country,  nor  was 
there  then  any  such  burden  imposed  on  their  brethren  in 
New-England,  in  New- York,  in  the  Jersies,  nor  oi> 
their  dissenting  brethren  in  England.  They  urged, 
that  in  all  those  places  there  was  no  compulsion,  or  re- 
straint, but  full  liberty  for  all  denominations  of  protcstant?, 
to  worship  God,  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  con- 
sciences. This  liberty,  they  said,  the  fathers  of  this  coun- 
try enjoyed  for  more  than  thirty  years  from  its  first  sottlo- 
monf  without  thelea-rt  interruption. 


I 


Chap.  VII. 


i:ONNECTI('LT. 


il'J 


The  legislature,  on  thift  rrprrxoiualinn,  rrlo.ix'd  ihiin  Uook  II. 
from  paying  taies  to  the  first  »oci«My  ;  butdcrliiird  making  N,^^/-^r 
ilitm  an  cccleariaMical  society,  ami  Htili  pcraisird  in  mia-  i7jo. 
>urcs  to  reconcile  the  parties.  Thry  ap|Niinteil  a  num)K>r 
of  gentlemen  to  meet  for  that  purpose  at  Guilford,  and  hrar 
the  parties ;  but  they  did  not  meet.  The  major  party,  in 
ihc  mean  time,  pretcndins;  that  the  assembly  had  only  re- 
leased a  small  number  of  the  minority,  whose  names  were 
mentioned  in  the  memorial,  proceeded  to  take  their  rates 
by  execution.  Indeed,  the  major  part  of  the  society, 
appeared  to  adopt  all  measures  to  vex  and  distress 
ihcm,  both  in  their  civil  and  religious  interests.  They 
therefore  petitioned  the  General  Assembly,  in  October, 
10  declare  the  meaning  of  their  act  in  May,  and  to  release 
all  who  had  separated  from  Mr.  Ruggles  and  the  firist  so- 
( iety,  or  who  should  separate  from  them,  and  join  them 
iti  supporting  the  gospel,  from  all  taxes  and  molestation 
from  the  first  societv. 

The  legislature,  nxed  in  their  design  of  uniting  the  par- 
ties, were  slow  and  reluctant  in  granting  them  any  privi- 
leges which  they  asked ;  and,  at  this  time,  appointed  a 
large  council  to  meet  at  Guilford,  to  hear  the  [tartics  and 
Judge  between  them,  and  make  xcport  to  the  assembly  at 
their  session  in  May. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Moss,  of  Derby,  who  had  opposed  the 
settlement  of  Mr.  Ruggles  from  the  beginning,  judging  it 
unadvisable  to  ordain  a  minister  over  a  church,  one  third 
of  whom  were  against  him,  and  the  opposition  constantly 
increasing,  soon  after  the  rising  of  the  assembly,  wrote  u 
letter  to  some  of  the  principal  ministers  in  Boston,  stating  Lctirr  of 
the  case  of  the  Guilford  people,  and  requesting  their  opi-  M'-  '*;•««» 
nion  with  reference  to  it.  He  made  the  following  state-  ^^^  '^^** 
ment :  "  That,  in  a  litde  more  than  a  month^s  time  after  the 
death  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Ruggles,  of  Guilford,  that 
people  applied  to  some  of  the  neighboring  ministers,  of 
which  he  himself  was  one,  for  advice,  about  calling  and 
settling  a  minister.  That  after  some  animadversions  on 
the  suddenness  of  the  motion,  bein^  so  soon  after  the 
death  of  their  former  pastor,  and  receiving  their  justifying 
replies  upon  it,  they  had  advice  to  this  purpose,  viz^  "  To 
apply  to  Mr.  Thomas  Ruggles,  Jun.  son  of  the  deceased, 
to  supply  his  father's  pulpit,  as  probationer  for  settlement 
in  the  work  of  the  ministry ;  if,  after  trial,  he  should  be  ap- 
proved, and  could  be  settled  there  with  a  general  view  to 
peace,  and  according  to  gospel  order  and  rule :  and,  if  af- 
ter trial  made,  he  should  not  suit  them,  or  they  him,  then  to 
apply  to  Mf .  Benjamin  Pierpont,  of  New-Haven,As  a  pro- 


liO 


llbTOKY  OK 


Ciivi'.  Ml. 


t!ifl 


lUiioR  11.  iKitionrr  in  like  •lort  a%  afiovc  ;  and,  if  attrr  trial,  Iip  .hIiouM 
Vn^^v^^z  not  suit  for  srtllrmorit,  thru  to  niiikc  application  to  sai'i 
1730.  advisors  for  further  advice."  L|)on  tlun  advice,  the  |h()|)Ii' 
applied  to  Mr.  Rugglrs,  and  he  entered  the  |)ulpit  an  u 
nrohationer.  At  first,  the  oppOKin^  and  uneasy  parly  In 
nis  scitlement  were  hut  twelve,  but  lliey  vere  consid*  ri- 
l>lc  men;  chief  men  in  the  town  and  church;  but  in  six 
months  time,  the  uneasy  and  opposing  party  were  in- 
creased  to  upwards  of  forty,  and  they  making  smart  op- 
position to  Mr.  RuegloH  his  settlement ;  the  other  party  be- 
in);  the  major,  and  Tiaving  the  advantage  of  the  kiw  on  their 
^idc,  and  fearing  that  advantage  would  not  always  be  in 
their  hands,  pusned  forward  for  the  ordination,  with  all 
violence,  and  nfnsed  to  hear  the  intrcalies  of  their  uneasy 
Krclhren,  to  delay  ihe  matter  n  while  ;  until,  at  least,  the 
general  court  could  he  applied  to  in  this  ali'air :  but  no* 
thing  of  this  kind  could  be  obtained.  This  was  perhaps  i 
rebruary  ;  the  b(>ginning  of  Mr.  Ruggles  his  preachim  • 
u  probationer,  being  in  July  before.  Thouen,  hi  fore  thij 
denial  of  a  delay,  viz.  in  December,  or  January,  they 
ir.ul,  upon  the  recjucst  made  by  the  uneasy  pai'ty,  voted  in 
lull  society  meeting,  that  they  should  have  liberty  to  be  a 
society  ecclesiastical  by  themselves,  if  the  general  couri. 
would  allow  it ;  and  to  be  freed  from  paying  any  rates  or 
taxes,  or  parish  charges  with  them,  when  the  general  court 
would  allow  of  their  being  a  society  by  themselves,  or 
Avords  to  this  purpose,  as  you  wiU  see  by  the  grant  in- 
closed, attested  hj  ihe  clerk. 

"  Now  when  this  was  done,  this  minor  party  went  no 
more,  or  acted  no  more  with  their  brethren,  about  settling 
Mr.  Ruggles,  either  in  society  meetings  or  church  meet- 
ings ;  but  acted  by  themselves,  and  got  a  young  man  to 
E reach  to  them  in  a  private  house,  viz.  Mr.  Edmund  Ward, 
rought  up  at  Yale  College  in  New-Haven,  who  h^d  been 
examined  by  the  ministers  of  the  New-Haven  association, 
and  had  obtained  his  recommendatory  certificate  from 
them,  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry.  Afterward,  when 
this  uneasy  party  were  gone  oflf,  by  Mi  rood  will  of  their 
brethren,  as  they  took  it,  the  major  pax'  iow  fell  to  ac- 
tion, about  Mr.  Ruggles  his  settler  'w,  a  u'  /their  ci^i 
grant  him  four  hundred  pounds  seaicuic-nt,  and  one  hun- 
dred pounds  per  annum  setdement,  and  have  since  forced 
their  uneasy  brethren  to  pay  part  of  it,  having  the  civil  law 
of  the  government  on  their  side,  notwithstanding  their 
former  vote,  to  set  them  off  by  themselves,  (as  you  shall 
;  e  anoi'  '.n  the  proper  place  of  it ;)  then  they  drive  for- 
vvard  fh'3  ordination  of  Mr.  Ruggles,  which  was  in  Marqh, 


Ml 


Chap.  V\l 


tONNECTICLT. 


11\ 


\\,  lip  .hIiouM 
ition  to  said 
,  thr  |K'<)|>I«' 
pulpit  as  u 
any  party  to 
V  toiiHul*  ra- 
;  but  ill  six 
ty  Here  in* 
ig  smart  op- 
ler  party  bo- 
;  bw  on  thtir 
ulwayH  be  in 
Lion,  with  all 
iheir  uneasy 
,  at  least,  the 
lair:  but  no« 
IS  pcrbnps  ir, 
preachini  (-. 
;n,  bt  fore  thii 
anuary,  they 
arfy,  voted  iu 
iberty  to  be  a 
general  couri. 
;  any  rates  or 
I  general  court 
lemselves,  or 
the  grant  in- 

larty  went  no 
about  settling 
church  meet- 
young  man  to 
dmund  Ward, 
who  h^d  been 
a  association, 
;rtificate  from 
erward,  when 
d  will  of  theii' 
iw  fell  to  ac- 
y  their    civ: 
and  one  hun- 
e  since  forced 
g  the  civil  law 
tanding  their 
(as  you  shall 
ley  drive  for- 
was  in  Marqb, 


1 728-9,  which  was  about  ten  months  after  the  death  of  Boor  ft. 
old  Mr.  RumIm. 


••  When  the  lime  for  ordinati«). 
(\rr*  and  mesaengera  aiinembied 


fame,  (he  council  of  el- 
to  .  irry  on  that  affair, 
■^linauoM  w  im  Attended. 
i.e.   fhose  of  them  that 


I7W. 


were  upon  the  place  before  thr 
They  nent  for  Ine  uneasy  part), 
wore  in  full  communion  with  i '"«  church.  There  api>ear. 
ed  twenty  nine  men,  all  opposed  to  the  oniinntion'-  jfoing 
forward  at  that  time  ;  but  six  of  the  twenty  nine,  declared 
they  were  not  so  much  against  the  man,  simply  cnnsirlcr- 
rd,  but  thought  it  unseasonable  to  ordain  him  then,  an 
therr  WITS  puch  a  feud  and  contention  arisen  among  them. 
(T' <•  V  hole  number  of  brethren,  or  communicants,  at 
i>  .1  -n*  Seine  about  eighty.)  Then  the  matter  was  de- 
bnkd  111  ounciT,  whether  the  ordination  should  be  then  at- 
f»  iided,  or  delayed.  It  was  carried  by  vote  to  go  forward, 
hy  1  large  majority  among  the  ministry,  and  by  a  small  ma- 
jority among  the  messengers.  But  two  ministers  dissented 
out  of  nine,  of  which  two  dissenting,  the  minister  of  Der- 
by was  one,  who  was  the  eldest  minister  present,  except 
Olio.  Upon  this,  the  minister  of  Derby  refused  to  assist 
in  the  ordination ;  and  gave  his  reasons  for  it,  which  were 
chiefly  in  these  two  points.  1  st.  It  seemed  to  him  to  have 
no  likely  prospect  of  future  peace  in  that  place,  nor  like- 
ly to  be  for  the  interest  of  religion,  or  the  flourishing 
state  of  Christ^s  kingdom  for  the  future,  in  that  place. 
"  2d.  Since  the  design  was  to  settle  a  pastor  over  that 
churoh  in  whole,  when  above  one  third  part  of  the  church 
never  chose  him,  and  declared  they  were  conscience 
bound  in  the  matter,  and  could  not  choose  him  as  their 
pastor.  This  seemed  to  that  mhiister,  to  be  setting  up  a 
lord  over  God's  heritage,  (at  least  in  part)  and,  as  he 
thought,  looked  too  much  toward  that  prelatical  tyranny, 
from  which  our  fathers  fled ;  it  being  a  yoke  of  bondage 
that  they  were  not  able  to  bear ;  and  a  breaking  in  upon 
the  natural  liberty  which  belongs  to  all  churches  and  chris- 
tians. However,  the  ordination  went  forward  by  the  help 
of  those  that  were  for  it.  The  uneasy  part  separated  from 
tiicir  brethren,  and  would  not  sit  with  them  at  meeting,  in 
the  time  of  ordination  ;  and  when  the  church's  vote  was  ta- 
ken, to  call  Mr.  Ruggles  to  tlie  pastoral  charge,  they  were 
separated,  and  acted  not  in  that  call.  Yet  this  council 
suppose,  or  at  least  the  greater  part  who  acted  in  the 
call,  take  it  so,  that  he  is  ordained  pastor  of  that  whole 
church  of  Guilford,  nnd  that  all  those  that  opposed  his  or- 
dination, are  as  much  bound  to  submit  to  him  aa  their 
pastor,  as  anv  f>f  them  that  acted  in  tht  choi<Je. 


\:r-'' 


f :-' 


HISTORY  or 


CifAP.  vrr. 


W 

iht''. 


Hook  If.  '•'  AlK  >  ilic  onlinaiioii,  viz.  in  May  following,  the  minor 
s^-vsm*  pari,  }(iun<asy,  poiilionrd  the  (icneral  Court,  for  leav 
1730.  •'' '"'  •»  soricfy  l\V  themselves,  since  things  were  thus,  a^ 
}il>ove;  and  then  their  brethren  opposed  them  with  all  vc- 
hcnuMiry,  tlioup;h  they  had  vtifecl  them  as  above,  if  tht* 
said  court  ivottid  allow  of  il»  The  Coneral  Court  referred 
U  tr)  tjioir  Ocidber  session  ;  and  in  the  mean  lime,  sent 
^omc  ministers  to  endeavour  a  reconciliation  of  the  diflbr- 
ing  parties ;  but.  ihey  tried  in  vain.  The  thing  was  not  at- 
tainable. When  October  came,  tlie  court  considered  the 
matter  again ;  but  did  nothing  for  their  help ;  but  stili 
appointecl  another  committee  of  ministers  to  endeavor 
to  bring  both  parties  together.  But  they  came  not  to 
J  lie  plme,  and  used  no  cndeavoi-s  for  it.  Then  this 
dir^trcssed  people  saw  the  country  seemed  to  be  against 
them,  through  false  rumors,  which  their  enemies  spread 
alu'oad  with  great  industry,  so  that  they  had  no  hope 
of  gaininif  any  thing  in  this  way;  but  remembering  thai 
we  had  a  law  whicli  gives  liberty  to  dissent  from  our 
established  discipline,  for  any  of  another  persuasion, 
whic;h  law  refers  to  an  act  of  parlianient,  made  for  dissen 
ters,  in  the  first  year  of  king  William  and  queen  Mary,  for 
the  dissenters  qualifying  themselves  at  the  quarter  sessions, 
;iccordingto  the  direction  of  said  statute,  in  order  to  takf 
benefit  th«ueby,  and  to  set  up  a  separate  society  for  divine 
worship,  «lsic. :  these  men  also,  being  fully  of  the  congre- 
gational persuasion,  according  to  the  true  meaning  of  the 
platibrm,  compiled  at  Cambridge,  by  the  Synod,  in  the 
year  1640,  which  our  established  discipline  is  very  wide 
of,  in  many  essential  things  :  they  go  to  the  county  court 
.'it  New-Haven,  and  declare  their  dissent  from  our  estab- 
lished discipline,  and  their  concurrence  with  the  platform 
:«fore&aid,  by  which  they  obtained  liberty,  under  the  um- 
brage of  said  statute,  and  act  of  parliament,  for  a  lawful 
assembly  for  divine  worship,  separate  from  those  that  are  by 
our  law  established ;  and  so  exempted  from  our  established 
jule  of  church  discipline,  and  exempted  from  the  penal- 
lies  that  our  laws  laid  upon  any  that  maintained  separate 
meetings,  in  opposition  to  what  is  generally  practised  and 
allowed  by  law.  Now  they  were  secure  in  one  point  from 
the  penalties  of  the  law,  but  lay  open  to  the  law  in  anoth- 
er, viz.  on  the  account  of  rates ;  for  by  our  law,  they  must 
yet  pay  their  rates  to  maintain  Mr.  Ruggles,  and  to  raise 
his  setdemcnt  money,  which  was  ♦bur  hundred  pounds; 
and  their  brethren  were  so  far  of  a  persecuting  spirit  as  that 
they  have  forced  them  to  pay  part  of  the  settlement  men 


PIhap.  VI. 


CONNFXTICLT. 


123 


cy,  and  their  part  of  the  salary,  "tilil  May  last,  when,  up-  B'^""*  "• 
on  a  nrw  petition  to  the  General  Court,  ihey  frrrd  tlum  ^-^'^'"^^ 
from  paying  rates  for  the  future  ;  as  you  may  see  hy  a  r«>-  17.50. 
py  of  their  act  inclosed.  They  have  left  their  rijjfhts  in 
the  mccting-housc,  and  have  now  built  a  good  nekv  nieej- 
ing-house  at  their  own  charge.  Yet  after  all,  their  IjrelJi- 
rcn,  and  the  neighboring  ministers,  and  mostly  through 
the  colony,  are  warmly  opposing  their  sctilement  iu 
church  order,  according  to  the  tenor  of  the  said  Cam- 
bridge platform,  which  is  strictly  congregational.  And 
?o  they  refuse  to  assist  them  in  gathering  a  new  church, 
and  in  ordaining  their  minister ;  and  more  than  so,  are 
greatly  clamoring  at  and  reproaching  a  few  of  us  that  think 
well  of  them,  and  are  inclined  to  pity  and  help  ihem.  It 
would  therefore  be  much  to  their  advantage  in  the  present 
juncture,  to  have  advice  and  counsel  from  some  of  the 
Rev.  ministers  of  Boston,  whose  names  and  characters 
are  highly  exalted  among  us,  in  Connecticut ;  and  that 
upon  very  justifying  reasons  ;  so  that  countenancing  the 
affair  of  their  settlemeuL  in  church  order,  and  ordinatioit 
of  their  minister,  will  very  much  abate  the  clamor  of  their 
adversaries,  and  be  much  of  a  shelter  and  sccunty  to  some 
of  us  that  probably  may  be  called  to  assist  them  in  that  af- 
fair. Therefore  it  is  requested,  that  several  of  you  Rev. 
gentlemen,  would  please  to  resolve  these  cases  hereafter 
stated,  and  send  to  us  as  soon  as  may  be,  the  resolution, 
and  in  several  of  your  hands, 

1 .  "  Whether  (if  the  narration  above  written  he  true)  it 
is  lawful  for  the  said  minor  part  at  Guilford,  to  embody  into 
church  estate,  and  get  their  minister  ordained  as  soon  as 
they  can  ? 

a.  "  Whether  it  is  lawful  and  expedient  for  such  minis- 
ters and  churches,  as  are  willing,  to  assist  that  people  in 
their  embodying  into  church  estate,  and  ordaining  theii* 
minister  ? 

"  Your  gratifying  us  and  this  poor  people  in  this  matter, 
will  exceedingly  olslige  your  friends  and  fellow  laborers  in 
the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Kedeemer,"  &c. 

This  letter  was  signed  by  Mr.  Moss,  of  Derby,  and  Mr. 
Mather,  of  Saybrook,  and  directed  to  the  Rev.  Peter 
Thatcher,  and  other  ministers  of  Boston.  With  the  let- 
ter, documents  were  sent,  proving  the  facts  stated.  The 
answer  to  this  letter  is  not  to  be  found,  but  the  probabili- 
ty is,  that  it  was  favorable  to  the  minor  party,  and  encour- 
aged the  ministers  who  favored  them,  to  afford  them  their 
assistance,  as  it  appears  that  early  in  the  spring,  they 


124 


HISTORY  OV 


t;iAr.  V  11. 


1731. 


March  10 
1731. 


,  KT     ,1 


t**\l 


Book  H.  were  preparing  to  embody  into  ciiurc  h  estate,  and  cxi)ected 
that  Mr.  Ward  would  soon  be  ordained  over  them. 

The  legislature,  however,  with  a  view  to  unite  the  par- 
ties, in  their  session  in  October,  appointed  a  large  coun- 
cil to  meet,  at  Guilford,  and  hear  the  f)arties.  They  were 
to  attempt  all  proper  measures  to  conciliate  and  bring  them 
together,  and,  if  possible,  to  settle  the  church  and  town  in 
peace.  They  were  chosen  from  the  three  counties  of 
Hartford,  New-Haven  and  New-London.  The  council 
consisted  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Eliphalet  Adams,  Samuel 
Whitman,  John  Bulkley,  Nathaniel  Chauncey,  Pbinehas 
Fisk,  Samuel  Whittelsey,  Jared  Elliot,  Joseph  Noyes,  Sam- 
uel Hall  and  Isaac  Stiles,  with  their  delegates.  They  met 
at  Guilford  early  in  the  spring  ;  chose  the  following  gentle- 
men, moderators  and  scribes,  viz.  Mr.  Adams  and  Mr.  Whit- 
inan,  moderators  ;  Mr.  Bulkley  and  Mr.  Fisk,  scribes.  The 
minor  party  had  most  positively  and  repeatedly  renounc- 
ed the  Saybrook  Flatfonn,  not  only  before  the  church, 
but  repeatedly,  by  their  agents,  before  the  General  Assem- 
bly. The  council  nevertheless  cited  them  to  appear  before 
them ;  bi|l  thpy  would  not  appear  as  a  body,  nor  by  their 
committee.  Two  or  three  of  their  leading  men,  as  indi- 
viduals, stated  to  them  their  grievances,  and  the  grounds 
of  their  separation.  Upon  this,  having  heard  the  repre- 
sentations of  the  church,  the  council  representing  that 
they  had  fully  heard  the  parties,  came  to  tne  following  re- 
sult. 

1 .  "  That  with  relation  to  the  settlement  and  ordination 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ruggles  in  this  place,  and  the  conduct  of 
the  church  in  that  affair,  pn  representation  made  by  the 
committee,  above  said,  to  this  council,  of  the  several 
steps  of  their  procedure  in  that  affair,  we  cannot  but  ap- 
prove of  them,  and  judge  theoi  very  agreeable  to  such  rules 
its  in  an  affair  of  that  nature  they  ought  to  regard  and  have 
their  eyes  upon. 

2.  '^  With  respect  to  the  reasons alledged  in  the  narrative 
of  the  dissenting  party,  as  grounds  of  their  separation  from 
the  communion  of  th$  church,  and  what  was  offered  by 
said  Leete  and  Cruttcnden,  for  vindication  of  themselves 
in  that  matter,  we  judge  them  insufficient,  and  that  scpa 
ration  as  sinful  and  justly  offensive. 

3.  "  That  the  dissenting  brethren,  their  setting  up  a 
separate  assembly  for  public  worship  without  the  counte- 
nance and  liberty  of  the  General  Assembly,  or  approba- 
tion of  neighboring  churches,  or  the  allowance  of  the  set- 
tled minister  of  the  place,  and  contrary  to  the  advice  ol 
\hc  association  of  the  rounty,  we  iudcc  to  be  disorder!) 


Chap.  VII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


19S 


:ti  III. 


iml  sinful,  and  tjisailowod  by  the  fiflh  article  in  the  tiiir-  liooK  II. 
ivcnih  chapter  of  the  Cambridge  platform  of  the  year  IG  l'.>: 
Also,  that  some  of  them,  their  pretended  qualifying  them- 
selves according  to  a  law  in  our  book  of  the  slat?!'r.s,  made 
lor  the  ^asc  of  such  as  soberly  dissent  from  the  way  of 
])ublic  worship  and  ministry  established  by  the  laws  of  this 
>rovernment,  was  an  abuse  of  that  law,  and  unjustifiable. 

4.  "  With  respect  to  the  duty  lying  on  the  church  ?>\' 
;his  place,  toward  their  dissenting  l>i*ethren,  we  judge,  thai. 
in  case,  after  an  invitation  made  by  this  council  and  the 
said  church  to  those  dissenting  brethren,  ihose  that  have 
(ukcn  the  oaths,  as  others*  at  the  desire  of  this  council,  to 
return  to  the  communion  of  said  church  ;  or  an  invitation 
)nade  to  them  by  the  said  church,  with  such  reflections  on 
liemselves,  for  their  separation,  as  this  council  shall  think 
proper,  they  do  not  in  some  reasonable  time,  so  do,  that 
ihcy  shall  be  suspended  from  the  communion  of  the  church 
.)f  Christ:  which  sentence  shall  be  pronounced  against 
ihem,  either  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ruggles  and  churi:h,  or  by 
(he  Rev.  Mr.  Jacob  Hemingway  and  Mr.  Jared  Klliot  in 
conjunction  with  them,  as  the  said  Mr.  Ruggles  and  churcli 
shall  choose. 

6.  "  And,  whereas  the  said  dissenting  brethren  enter-  - 
tain  hopes  of  embodying  themselves  into  church  estate, 
;ind  having  a  pastor  ordamed  over  them,  in  a  short  time, 
this  council  have  judged  their  proceedings  hitherto  irre- 
gular and  offensive,  so  do  now  further  declare  and  judge 
them,  the  dissenting  brethren,  incapable  of  entering  mto  a 
church  state,  till  such  time  as  they  have  returned  back  to 
their  pastor  and  brethren  of  the  church  from  which  they 
have  separated  themselves,  with  such  reflections  on  them- 
selves, as  this  council  have  thought  proper :  and  that  it 
'  any  ministers  and  churches  shall  assist  in  so  embodying 
them  and  ordaining  a  pastor  over  them,  it  will  be  disorder- 
ly and  sinful ;  ana  accordingly  as  such,  bear  testimony 
against  it. 

6.  "  Further,  as  we  have  found  a  separate  meeting  for 
public  worship,  set  up  by  the  dissenting  party  in  this  place,  a 
disorderly  meeting,  do  also  judge  that  Mr.  Edmund  Ward's 
preaching  to  the  said  assembly,  is  disorderly  and  sinful,  and 
will  be  so  if  he  persists  therein  ;  and  by  the  authority  ol 
this  council  do  charge  him  to  desist  preaching  to  them  ; 
and  that  he  do  not  presume  to  submit  to  ordination,  or  t«i 
take  upon  him  the  pastoral  charge  over  them. 

"And  finally,  whereas,  some  reflections  have  been  cast 
apon  the  Rev.  Mr,  Ruggles,  as  though  he  were  weak,  in- 
swflicient,  unworthy  and  unqnalifird  for  \hn  v.ork  of  thc^ 


196 


HISTORY  OF 


C'liAr.  VII. 


I'f:,    I 


W  !';!■ 


iiiisoimd  in  his  dortriuos,  of  a  parly  spirit,  and  lil- 
i{»n  ;  (his  council  declare,  that  noiiiini;  of  ihis  n;i- 
]»3l.  tiirc  hath  appeared  unto  us;  and  he  having  given  us  :f 
Marcti  lu.  specimen  ol  his  ministerial  abilities,  partly  from  his  per- 
sonal ;ic(|uainlan(:e,  and  partly  from  credible  testimony, 
we  esteem  him  a  worthy  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  endow- 
ed with  a  good  measure  of  ministerial  gifts,  sound  in  the 
failh,  of  a  serious,  religious  and  peaceaolo  spirit,  a  sweet 
temper  and  becoming  conversation,  and  worthy  of  honor 
and  respect,  and  as  such  do  recommend  him  and  his  la- 
bors, to  the  blessing  of  Almighty  God." 

This  result  of  the  council,  was  accepted  by  vote  of  the 
church  in  open  council. 

This,  considering  the  stale  of  the  town,  that  the  separa- 
tion had  greatly  iucreascd,  since  the  ordination  of  Mr. 
Rugglcs,  so  that  more  than  one  half  the  original  membf  rs 
of  the  church,  at  that  time,  had  separated,  from  him ;  that, 
they  had  utterly  renounced  the  Saybrook  Platfoim  ;  quali- 
fied themselves  by  law  for  a  distinct  worship  ;  and  had  buill 
them  an  house  for  it,  was  a  very  extraordinary  result, 
^hat  in  these  circumstances,  they  should  proceed  to  a  ju- 
dicial hearing  and  decision,  without  attempting  any  con- 
ciliatory measures,  seems  to  have  been  very  uncommon, 
in  similar  cases.  Their  result  was  every  way  calculated 
to  justify  Mr.  Ruggles,  and  the  remainder  of  the  church 
and  society,  and  to  lay  the  dissenters  under  every  disad- 
vantage ;  to  deprive  them,  even  of  the  preaching  of  the 
word  and  all  the  means  of  salvation,  unless  they  would  re- 
turn and  sit  under  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Ruggles.  This 
they  had  declared  they  could  not  in  conscience  do.  Mr. 
Ruggles,  in  their  view  was  not  an  orthodox  experimentai 
preacher,  and  they  could  not  be  profited  by  him.  The 
dissenters  had  no  choice  in  the  council,  and  they  con- 
sidered themselves  as  a  distinct  and  legal  society,  and  as 
liaving  a  right,  by  act  of  parliament  and  the  laws  of  the 
colony,  to  worship  God  by  themselves,  and  to  choose  and 
settle  a  minister  lor  themselves.  The  ministers  of  New- 
llaven  county  had  prejudged  the  case,  and  ordained  Mr. 
Ruggles,  in  their  opinion,  in  a  rash  and  imprudent  manner, 
against  such  a  minority  and  division  in  the  town  as  ought  to 
have  prevented  it,  at  least,  until  some  further  tri^l  had  been 
made  for  a  greater  union.  They  considered  the  council 
as  having  no  more  authority  over  them  than  they  had 
over  any  church  in  Massachusetts  or  New-York,  or  of 
any  other  place,  or  denomination.  Mr.  Ward  did 
not  consider  himself  as  amenable  to  them,  or  that  he  was 
obliged  to  desist  preaching  the  gospel  at  tiveimiandato 


Jia^ 


f  lur.  VII. 

piril,  and  lit- 
»g  of  this  n:i- 
r  givrn  us  :i 
from  his  por- 
Ic  icslimony, 
iRisT,  endow- 
sound  in  the 
pirit,  a  sweet 
>rlhy  of  honor 
im  and  his  la- 

by  vote  of  the 

lat  the  sc para- 
nation   of  Mr. 
j-inal  menober-^ 
from  him ;  that, 
latfoi-m  ;  quali- 
;  andhadbuiU. 
'dinary   result. 
)roceed  to  a  ju- 
ipting  any  con- 
;ry  uncommon, 
way  calculated 
'  of  the  church 
iv  every  disad- 
eaching  of  the 
they  would  re- 
[iuggles.     This 
ience  do»     Mr. 
)X  experimental 
"^  by  him.     The 
and  they  con- 
society,  and  as 
the  laws  of  the 
1  to  choose  and 
-nisters  of  New- 
el ordained  Mr. 
irudent  manner, 
town  as  ought  to 
er  tri^l  had  been 
ered  the  council 
than   they  had 
ew-York,  or  of 
Mr.    Ward    did 
,  or  that  he  was 
t  tlieir  niandete* 


Chap.  VII. 


CONNECTICl'l. 


127 


nji. 


The  dissenters  and  he,  imagined  ihat  thry  wore  upright  Book  11. 
and  conscientious  in  their  prtMoedings.     Not  one  of  tl.cni  n^^v^^i^ 
therefore  was  disposed  to  make  the  reflections  which  thr- 
council  had  directed,  or  to  return  to  Mr.  Knggles,  and  their 
brethren,  I'rom  whom  they  had  separated. 

The  conse(juence  was,  that  after  they  had  been  invited  f'""ty  *"» 
to  return,  and  had,  for  a  short  time,  neglected    it,  they  ['*^""'7),.,| 
were  cited  before  the  church,  and  forty  six  of  them,  six  (>.„„  ,:,„n 
more  than  one  half  of  the  church,  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Hug-  munir.n, 
I'lr  s'  ordination,  were  suspended  from  communion. 

The  town  was  now  in  a  very  perplexed  and  melancho- 
ly condition.  About  one  half  of  the  professors  in  it  were 
.  uspended  from  communion  ;  the  council  who  had  advised 
to  this  measure,  had  declared  it  disorderly  for  ministers 
to  jireach  to  them,  and  charged  their  own  teacher, 
by  all  their  authority,  to  preach  to  them  no  more.  The 
major  part  of  the  town  at  the  same  time,  were  taking  the 
property  of  those  who  had  separated  from  them,  and  had 
not  (jualified  themselves  by  act  of  parliament,  by  distraint, 
iur  the  support  of  Mr.  Ruggles,  and  to  pay  the  other  tax- 
es of  the  lirst  society  ;  and  the  town  was  in  a  state  of  great 
irritation. 

The  assembly  were  petitioned  to  make  them  a  distinct 
society.  Several  of  the  first  society  were  so  convinced  of 
the  necessity  of  it,  for  the  general  peace  and  edification  of 
the  church  and  town,  that  they  preferred  a  petition  to  tho 
legislature,  praying  that  it  might  be  done.  Several  of  tho 
mmisters  of  the  colony  were  so  affected  with  the  unhappy 
state  of  the  town,  that  they  petitioned  the  assembly  to  ap- 
point the  Genei-al  Association  a  council,  with  their  dele- 
gates, to  repair  to  Guilford,  and  hear  and  advise  the  par- 
tics  and  make  a  report  of  their  doings  to  the  General  As- 
sembly. The  assembly  rejected  the  petitions  for  making 
them  a  distinct  society,  and  came  to  the  following  resolve, 
viz. 

"Upon  the  motion  of  the  parly  who  have  separated  Act  of  the 
themselves  from  the  old  society  in  Guilford,  on  the  recom-  assembly, 
mendations  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Timothy  Woodbridge,  and  di-  ^'^^'  ^'''^^' 
vers  other  Rev.  elders  of  the  churches  in  this  colony,  that 
it  may  be  of  sqi'vice  to  the  interest  of  religion,  for  this  as- 
sembly, in  conformity  to  a  former  act  of  this  assembly,  in 
reference  to  Stratford,  to  appoitU  some  from  each  associa- 
tion in  this  colony,  to  enquire  into  their  case,  in  order  to 
the  bringing  matters  to  a  comfortable  issue : 

"  This  assembly  observing,  that  the  society  in  Guilford, 
having  not  come  into  the  established  platform  of  church 
discipline,  as  allowed  aiid  confirmed  py  the  laws  of  ihj'? 


■■% 


Ivf ''     I 


Uii 


HISTORY  01' 


Chap.  Vlf. 


»'f.?( 


'I 


11 


M'k^ 


Book  11.  <  (iluiiy.  and  more  especially,  upon  ccMisitlci-ntion,  that  th». 
v^^r-'^^i^disscriiirij;  jsiirly  of  that  society  have,  by  their  agents  froro 
1 73 1,  tinie  to  time,  before  this  assembly,  declared  their  dissent 
from  the  said  platform  of  church  discipline :  and  thcncf 
suppose  (hey  cannot  be  holden,  nor  oblieed  to  abide  the 
drienninatioii,  of  any  associations  soappomtcd,  according 
to  lite  i'iilcj«  of  the  platform  of  church  discipline,  establish- 
ed as  aforesaid  : 

*'  Whereupon  this  assembly  consider  that  it  is  not  rea- 
sonable for  this  assembly  to  oolige,  nor  direct  the  several 
associations  throughout  this  colony,  to  send  their  delegatci^ 
to  hear  the  said  society  and  dissenting  party  at  Guilford, 
as  the  reverend  elders,  in  their  memorial,  have  proposed. 
"  Yet,  nevertheless,  if  the  dissenting  party  of  the  church 
of  Guilford,  (so  called,)  shall,  themselves,  move  to  the  el- 
ders of  the  several  associations  in  this  government,  to  send 
th'jir  delegates,  (o  consider  of  the  difficulties  that  hav( 
arisen  in  said  society,  and  to  give  advice  to  said  society 
on  the  premises,  at  the  proper  charge  of  the  dissenting 
party ;  that  then  the  assembly  do  advise,  that  the  several 
associations  appoint  and  send  their  delegates  to  Guilford. 
giving  suitable  notice  to  all  parties  concerned,  of  the  time 
of  meeting;  and,  bcin^  met,  that  they  use  all  proper  meas- 
uies  and  endeavours  to  bring  each  party  to  a  sense  of  any 
errors  they  find  them  to  have  been  in  ;  and  endeavour  tV 
moderate  their  tempers,  and  bring  said  society  into  chris- 
tian love,  peace  and  unity ;  and  if  that  desirable  end  can- 
not by  them  be  attained,  said  associations  are  directed  to 
f  ignify  to  the  General  Assembly,  to  be  holden  at  Hartford. 
<n  May  next,  what  they  shall  think  proper  and  best  to  be 
done,  for  the  good  and  peace  of  the  several  parts  of  the 
said  society,  and  the  support  and  honour  of  religion 
amongst  them." 

Tlie  minor  part  of  the  society  made  application  to  the 
several  associations  to  send  their  delegates,  agreeably  to 
the  act  of  the  General  Assembly.  Thfey  convened  at  Guil- 
ford, November  23d,  1731. 
The  c'ciw--      There  wefe    present  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Stephen  Mix, 
lal  associ-  Samucl  Woodbridge,    Jacob  Hemingway,   Jared  Elliot, 
ation  meet  Ebenezcr  Williams,  William  Russell,   Benjamin  Col  ton, 
SJrd,"Nov.  ^Villiam  Worthington,  and  Solomon  Williams. 
93J.'  The  venerable  Mr.  Stephen  Mix,  of  Weathersfield,  was 

chosen  moderator ;  Mr.  Ebenezer  Williams  and  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Russell,  were  chosen  scribes.  The  committees  of 
both  the  parties  appeared  before  the  council,  and  were 
fully  heard.  The  people  who  had  separated  from  Mr. 
Ruggles  and  their  brethren,  pleaded  that  Mr.  Ruggles  was 


'■■■■  liti, 


CiiAr.  Vlt. 

lion,  that  th« 
r  agents  from 
1  ihcir  dissent 
:  and  thcncf 
I  to  abide  ihp 
ed,  acconlinj', 
inc,  establish-    ' 

t  it  is  not  rca- 
ict  the  several 
their  dclcgatot^ 
ty  at  Guilford, 
laVe  proposed. 
f  of  the  church 
move  to  the  el- 
rnment,  to  send 
ilties  that  have 
to  said  society 
the  dissenting 
that  the  several 
Ltes  to  Guilford, 
led,  of  the  timt 
ill  proper  meas- 
>  a  sense  of  any 
nd  endeavour  ttr 
ciety  into  chris- 
irable  end  can- 
are  directed  to 
den  at  Hartford. 
•  and  best  to  be 
ral  parts  of  the 
our  of   religion 

jplication  to  the 
js,  agreeably  to 
mvencd  at  Guil- 

Stephen  Mix, 
Jared  Elliot, 
enjamia  Col  ton, 

ams< 

eathersfield,  was 
ms  and  Mr.  Wil- 
le  committees  of 
uncil,  and  were 
arated  from  Mr. 
Mr.  Ruggles  was 


Chap.  VII. 


CONrECTICUl . 


129 


not,  in  llieir  view,  an  orthodox,  experimental,  profitable  go^K  n, 
preacher,  and  that  they  could  not  be  benefitted  by  his  v^-v^^ 
preaching;  and  had  opposed  his  settlement  from  the  be-    1731^ 
i^iiining :  that  their  brethren,  sensible  that  their  opposi- 
tion to  Mr.  Ruggles  would  make  matter  of  difficulty  at  his 
ordination,  voted  that  they  might  go  off,  and  be  a  society 
by  themselves :  that  they  considered  it  as  an  agreement 
between  them,  and  so  separated  themselves,  and  made  no 
opposition  to  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Ruggles ;  and  they 
could  not  consider  him  as  their  pastor,  rightfully  ordained 
over  them,  more  than  over  any  other  society  who  had  ne- 
ver chosen  him.     They  insisted  that  they  had  been  guilty 
of  no  immoral  conddct,  for  which  they  ought  to  be  suspend- 
ed from  the  communion  of  their  brethren,  or  from  tne  or- 
thodox and  regular  churches  in  New-England :  that  pro» 
vision  was  made  by  the  laws  of  the  nation,  and  statutes  of 
the  colony,  for  persons  soberly  dissenting  from  their  breth- 
ren, a»  to  the  mode  of  worship.     Such  they  pleaded  that 
they  were,  and  that  they  had  taken  the  benefit  of  the  laws, 
andf  could  not  conceive  that  they  had  done  any  thing  wrong 
or  sinful  thereinii     They  stated,  that  they  held  to  the  same 
confession  of  faith  with  their   brethren,   and  with  the 
churches  of  New-England,  from  the  very  beginning :  that 
they  adopted  the  same  mode  of  discipline,  which  was  first 
agreed  upon  by  the  fathers  of  the  New-England  churches, 
and  under  which  a  great  majority  of  them  nad  continued 
unto  the  present  time.    They  urged,  therefore,  that  there 
was  no  Just  ground  for  their  suspension,  and  the  cruel 
treatment  they  had  received^    They  maintained,  that  the 
proceedings  of  Mr.  Ruggles  and  their  brethren,  with  re- 
spect to  them,  was  a  groundless  usurpation,  and  a  lording 
it  over  God's  heritage.     They  urged,  that  if  their  separa- 
tion was  schismatic^  and  sinful,  and  deserved  excommuni- 
cation, that  then  our  fathers  deserved  exconununication ; 
the  first  church  in  Boston,  and  the  second  in  Hartford, 
were  guilty  of  schism,  and  worthy  of  excommunication  t 
That  if  it  was  sinful  in  them  to  take  benefit  of  the  act 
of  parliament,  the  law  of  the  nation  and  of  the  colony,  then 
obedience  to  the  law  was  sinful,  and  that  all  who  took  the 
benefit  of  it  were  guilty  of  sin.     They  pleaded,  that  they 
were  a  legal  society,  and  that  the  council  who  had  con- 
demned them,  not  Only  had  no  right  to  judge  in  their  case, 
but  numbers  of  them  were  prejudiced  men,  and  had  pre- 
judged the  case.     They  complained  of  their  brethren,  as 
insincere,  and  as  treating  them  with  deceit  and  cruelty. 
They  said,  they  imagined  they  were  honest  and  sincere  in 
voting  them  off,  if  the  General  Assembly  woyld  grant  them 

R 


130 


HISTORY  01' 


CiiAl'.  VI f 


tii    !;f)' 


Book  II.  thr  )ifivilr!;f  ;  which  they  alk'ilgi.'  il  wouUI  have  freely  and 
»-^"v'Nw/  immediately  tlotie,  had  (hey  not  by  sdl  means  in  their  |K)wei 
I7.]l.  opposed  it.  They  not  only  pleaded  (hat  they  were  a  legal 
society ;  but  that  tbcy  had  employed  a  regular  preacher. 
who  had  been  examined  and  af)))roved  by  the  association 
of  the  county  of  New-Haven,  as  a  person  qualified  to 
preach  the  gospel,  and  whom  Hiey  esteemed  to  be  an  or- 
thodox, experimental  preacher  of  the  gospel,  and  a  man 
who  was  exemplary  in  his  life  and  conversation.  They 
therefore  pleaded,  that  there  was  no  just  occasion  for  sus- 
pending them  from  the  communion  of  the  saints,  or  an} 
gospel  privileges,  more  than  for  any  other  churches,  or  chris- 
tians in  New-England,  who  held  to  the  same  doctrines  and 
mode  of  discipline  with  themselves.  They  further  plead- 
ed, that  the  major  part  of  the  church  and  society  were  the 
iaulty  cause  of  the  separation,  as  they  did  not  follow  the 
advice  ot  the  association,  and  allow  them  to  hear  another 
man,  when  they  were  not  united  in  Mr.  Ruggles,  and  had 
forced  upon  them  a  man  whom  they  could  not  hear.  These, 
in  general,  were  the  things  pleaded  before  the  several 
councils,  and  gentlemen  who  were  sent  to  hear  and  recoh' 
cilc  the  parties,  in  vindication  of  those  who  had  separated 
from  the  first  church  and  society. 

The  first  church  and  society  represented,  that  they  had 
regularly  called  and  settled  Mr.  Ruggles,  according  to  the 
law  and  ecclesiastical  constitution  of  the  colony ;  that  he 
was,  in  their  opinion,  and  in  the  opinion  of  his  ordaining 
council,  an  orthodox,  worthy  minister,  of  unblamable 
conduct,  and  that  their  brethren  had  no  just  ground  of 
scparalioQ. 

The  association,  upon  hearing  the  parties,  w^ere  divided 
in  their  opinion,  and  came  to  the  following  result : 
Result  of       "  This  association,  finding  it  difficult  to  come  to  an  uni- 
the  general «  ted  resolve,  and  that  (heir  time  is  too  strait  for  answer- 
ing the  end  of  their  delegation,  have  adjourned,  and,  by 
these  presents,  do  adjourn  themselves,  or  it,  ts  Hartford, 
on  the  Tuesday  in  the  week  of  the  election  next  ensu 
ing,"  &c.  .  /?  -r  ; 

Whether  this  council  met  again,  according  to  their  ad- 
journment, or  what  their  final  result  Avas,  does  not  appear 
from  any  thing  left  on  file.  The  separate  party  continued 
their  petitions  to  be  made  a  distinct  society,  representing 
their  distressed  condition,  as  they  were  so  opposed  every 
way  by  their  brethren,  that  they  could  not  have  the  minis- 
ter whom  they  had  unanimously  chosen,  and  who  was  in 
tlicir  opinion  ordained  over  them,  nor  have  a  church  gath- 
erC'd  among  them  foi;>thut  purpose  ;  and  Wexe  deprived  oi 


associa- 
tion, Nov. 
23d. 


(( 


Chap.  \i\. 


CONiNECTICL'T. 


IJI 


ilir  liberty  of  conscience,  and  of  the  ordinances  of  tiir  ^os-  Book  H. 
f)ol,  .«nd  means  of  salvation.     They  prayed  the  asseniMy,  n-^-/-^/ 
That  they  might  be  declared  to  be  a  lawfid  errlesiastiial    17J  > 
society,  according  to  the  act  of  parliament,  and  their  own 
statutes,  for  the  relief  of  sober  consciences;  and  (heir  min- 
ister,  Mr.  Edmund  Ward,  to  be  a  lawful  ecclesiastical 
teacher;  and  that  it  might  be  lawful  for  such  ministers  as 
were  willing  to  assist  in  uniting  them  in  church  estate,  and 
in  oitlainingtheirpastorelcct,  so  todo,and  not  be  judged  dis- 
orderly, or  subject  to  any  punishment  on  that  account ;  or  if 
the  honourable  assembly  should  not  grant  these  privileges, 
that  they  would,  in  their  great  wisdom,  devise  some  way,  in 
which  they  might  enjoy  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel  with 
christians  in  general. 

As  the  general  association  were  not  agreed  in  their  opin-  May,n.]v.*. 
ion  with  respect  to  the  diinculties  at  Guilford,  and  had  uonc 
(iothing  eflfectual  towards  composing  the  parties,  the  assem- 
bly appointed  a  committee  of  their  own,  to  repair  to  Guil- 
ford, hear  them,  and  make  their  report.  This  committee 
reported  in  favour  of  uniting  the  parties,  and  rex^ommend- 
od  the  appointment  of  a  large  and  respectable  council  for 
ihat  purpose.  The  General  Assembly,  instead  of  granting 
(he  petitions  of  the  aggrieved  brethren,  appointed  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Seth  Shove,  Anthony  Stoddard,  Jonathan  Marsh, 
William  Russell,  Benjamin  Lord,  George  Griswold,  Elea- 
zer  Williams,  and  Thomas  Clapp,  with  their  delegates,  to 
meet  at  Guilford,  and  finally  determine  the  case  of  forty-six 
persons  in  said  Guilford,  which  had  before  been  laid  before 
n  council  there,  March  10th,  1731,  which  gave  sentence 
ngainst  them.  It  was  at  the  same  time  resolved,  that  the 
minor  party  should  bear  the  expense  of  the  council ;  and 
that  the  minor  party  should  not  be  taxed  the  current  year, 
for  the  settlement  or  support  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ruggles.  It 
was  enacted  also,  that  all  taxes  which  had  been  laid,  and 
all  arrearages,  should  be  paid  up, 

But  a  small  number  of  tne  gentlemen  appointed  to  meet 
in  council  at  Guilford,  convened  on  the  business  for  which 
iliey  had  been  appointed.  It  seems  that  the  clergy  were 
not  united  in  their  opinions.  It  was  an  extraordinary  case, 
lor  one  half  of  a  church  to  be  excommunicated  by  the  pas- 
tor and  the  other  part  of  the  church,  when  they  had  been 
guilty  of  no  immorality  or  scandal,  but  separating  from 
their  brethren,  according  to  the  rights  of  men  of  sober  con- 
sciences, warranted  by  act  of  parliament,  and  by  the  stat- 
utes of  the  colony,  in  that  case  providefl.  The  council 
was  not  chosen  by  the  consent  of  the  parties,  nora^eeable 
to  the  religion?  con'^titiition  of  fho  state :  but  was  ipipof cd 


I35i 


HISTORY  OF 


Chah.  VU. 


r,   ' 


M 


1732. 


ItW. 


Book  II.  by  act  otasHombly.  To  Kuspcml  such  a  numbnr  of  profcH- 
sing  chi'iHtiutis  from  the  communion  of  thfj  sainU,  in  thrsc 
circumstanccH,  when  thc-y  held  communion  with  the  church- 
es of  MaH»achu.4Ctts,  and  the  mnjority  of  the  churches  in 
Ncw-Eiiglund,  who  had  adopted  the  same  mode  of  worship 
with  themselves,  was  a  difficult,  and,  apparently,  an  incon- 
sistent matter,  and,  in  the  opinion  of  many,  a  gross  viola, 
tior)  of  the  rights  of  conscience.  On  the  other  hand,  to 
give  judgment  again.st  their  brethren  of  the  council,  who 
had  condemned  them,  and  ordered  their  suspension  from 
communion,  must  have  been  disagreeable.  A  great  part  of 
the  gentlemen,  therefore,  it  seems  declined  doing  any  thing 
in  the  nflair.     At  the  time  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  this 

Nov.  2l8t,  council,  Nov.  ai'st,  1732,  four  elders,  with  their  delegates, 
'only  convened.     These  were  the  Rev.  Mr.  Shove,  Mr. 
Stoddard,  Mr.  Russell,  and  Mr.  Griswold. 

Mr.  Anthony  Stoddard  was  chosen  moderator,  and  Mr. 
William  Russell  scribe.  After  devout  supplications  to  the 
God  of  all  wisdom  and  ^race,  both  the  pcrsor..<  who  were 
suspended  from  communion,  so  many  of  them  us  were  yet 
living,  and  the  Rev.  Mr*  Ruggley  and  his  church,  appeared 
before  the  council.  The  members  suspended  from  the 
comiinunion  of  the  chtirch,  were  asked  whether  they  could 
now  comply  with  the  determination  of  the  council  met  at  , 
Guilford,  March  10th,  1732,  and  make  the  reflections  the  ' 
said  council  thought  proper  for  them  ?  They  unanimously 
declared  they  could  not ;  and  they  put  in  various  papers, 
and  pleaded  many  things  in  thei '  own  defence,  to  show 
their  innocency,  and  that  they  were  unjustly  and  cruelly 
treated.  Their  picas  were  the  same,  in  substance,  as 
those  made  before  the  general  association.  Mr.  Ruggles 
and  his  church,  were  then  desired  to  show  the  reasons  of 
their  suspending  those  brethren  from  their  communion. 
But  they  denied  the  juris()iction  of  the  council,  and  refused 
to  show  the  reasons  of  then*  pi;oceedings,  or  to  submit  to 
their  determination  relating  to  their  affairs.  The  council, 
nevertheless,  came  to  ^he  following  result:— »•" The  council 
was  laid  under  a  disadvantage  as  to  discovering  the  rea- 
sons and  grounds  upon  which  the  church  and  council  judg- 
ed the  withdrawing  of  the  said  members  sinful,  and  the 
means  they  used  to  continue  and  strengthen  themselves  in 
said  separation  justly  ofTensiye  and  sinful ;  upon  what  re- 
presenisttion  has  been  made  to  us,  by  the  minor  part,  (i'^ 
presence  of  Mr.  Ruggles  and  the  church,)  qf  their  with- 
drawing from  the  worship  and  communion  of  the  church  in 
this  place,  and  the  methods  they  had  used  to  continue  them- 
folves  thfipin,  and  ivhat  thpy  offered  to  clear  themselves 


iXemlt  of 
council, 
Nov,  21st. 


Cnur,  Vll. 


CONNECTICUT. 


II. 


trum  scandui  in  their  so  cioin^,  wv  rnnnot  judge,  all  nr-  D 
( uin»tnncrs  conHidrrrd,  that  lh<ir  withdrawing  from  (he 
worship  and  communion  of  (he  <  hurch,  and  (oiitinu.inrc  |7.3*>^ 
therein,  was  so  gross  and  rriminal,  as  to  deserve  (ht>ir  ex- 
clusion from  the  ehurch  of  Christ :  Yet  we  think  (hat  (hey 
had  not  justifying  reasons  for  so  doing,  but  were  faulty  and 
disurderiy,  and  failed  of  a  due  compliance  with  that  direc- 
tion of  tnc  apostle,  llcbrevvs  x.  34,  !25,  Let  us  consider 
one  another  to  provoke  unto  love  and  good  works,  not  for- 
saking the  assembling  of  yourselves  together,  as  the  man- 
ner ot  some  is ;  and  of  suitable  endeavours  to  keep  the 
unity  of  pic  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace ;  which  we  thmk  i:. 
becomes  them,  as  they  would  snew  themselves  persons 
studying  peace,  candidly  to  confess,  according  to  a  draft, 
drawn  for  them  by  this  council ;  which  we  hope  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Ruggles  and  the  chi'rch,  in  conformity  to  those  gospel 
directions,  Col.  iii.  12,  13, — Put  on,  therefore,  as  the  elect, 
of  God,  holy  and  beloved,  bowels  of  mercies,  kindness, 
humbleness  of  mind,  meekness,  long  suffering,  forbearing 
one  another,  and  forgiving  one  another :  if  any  man  have  a 
quarrel  against  any,  even  as  Christ  hath  forgiven  you,  so 
(10  ye :  wul  accept,  upon  its  being  signed  by  those  that  live, 
ancler  the  censure,  and  being  brought  to  him  by  them,  in 
order  to  its  being  publicly  read  in  the  congregation."* 

This  result  laid  a  foundation  for  the  restoration  of  the 
suspended  members  to  the  communion  of  the  church, 
but  it  did  not  unite  the  parties.  Proposals  were  made 
for  calling  and  settling  another  minister  with  Mr.  Rug- 
gles, whom  the  minor  party  should  choose,  to  preach 
half  the  time ;  but  they  could  not  be  persuaded  to  unite 
iti  this,  or  any  method  which  could  be  proposed. 

The  General  Assembly,  afterwards,  sent  two  commit- 
tees of  civilians  to  hear  the  parties,  consider  the  state  of 
the  town,  and  report  to  the  assembly.  The  last  of  which 
repoited  in  favour  of  granting  the  petition  of  the  minor 
|Mtrt,  or  fourth  society.  They  were  of  the  opinion,  that  May,  1733 
it  would  be  for  the  peace  of  the  town  and  the  interest  of 
religion.  The  assembly  accepted  the  report,  and  made 
th(  people  who  had  separated,  a  distinct  ecclesiastical 
society,  by  the  name  of  the  fourth  society  in  Guilford, 
with  the  same  boundaries  as  those  of  tho  first  parish. 

Thus,  after  a  contention  of  between  four  and  five  years, 
great  irritations  and  alienations  between  brethren  and 
neighbours,  and  a  great  expense  of  time  and  money  be- 

*  The  nuDor  party  accepted  the  doings  of  the  council,  sigrned  (he  cnn 
fesiion  which  ww  wfafted  for  tJiprB,  and  fare  it  to  Mr.  Ku^'sie)*,  that  il 
might  be  read.        "'  ,      ■ 


in 


HISTORY  or 


C'liAP.  VI IT. 


fti '  f'\ 


I  T.J.J. 


Hook  II.  UiTt  <  oiirts,  prnrml  assrinMi'-s,  aud  roiin<  iln,  n  liniil  sopu. 
ralioii  Wiis  inndc  in  4li«*  rlniirh  ;ui«l  town. 

'I'his  allimls  a  >4>leiiiri  (.untiiin  lorhunliis  ;uul  sorifMirn, 
iind  to  ordaining  roiinciU,  aKiiirist  nriijinf;  mitii.slcrH  wh«M-<' 
tJu'iT  WW  lar  ;c  Hnd  rc.s(>rtlal»l«;  imrnU^r.H  in  op|M)siiinii. 
and  forcint;  ministrrs  upon  thoni,  by  nKijoritics.  Irionli- 
nary  cases,  it  <s  wholly  uiujere.tsary.  Lrt  prviprr  rondc- 
hconsion  be  used,  and  lime  given,  rhunlirs  and  socielici 
tvill  unilo  and  come  to  an  hannonious  .settlement.  If  one 
IM^rHon  does  not  unite  them,  another  may.  The  conse- 
quences of  divisiDn^,  by  the  settlement  of  ministers  against 
a  large  opposition,  arc  exceedingly  pernicious ;  it  excites 
all- manner  of  evil  affections,  destroys  got>d  n(<ighbourhood, 
and,  in  a  great  mcnsure,  prevents  the  usefulness  of  the  pas- 
tor, and  the  edification  of  both  parties.  It  tends  to  confu- 
sion and  every  evil  work.  It  is  of  great  importance,  that 
a  minister  should  be  a  good  preacher:  this  is  his  main  and 
principal  work,  and  the  want  of  this,  very  much  di.squalifiei( 
him  for  the  office.  Mr.  Ruggles  was  a  scholar* and  a  wise 
man  ;  his  morals  were  not  impeachable ;  but  he  was  a  dull, 
imanimuting  preacher ;  had  a  great  talent  at  hiding  his  real 
sentiments,  never  coming  fully  out,  either  as  to  doctrinul 
or  experimental  religion.  These  were,  doubtless,  the 
grounds  of  the  separation.  The  same  things  were  tla* 
principal  grounds  of  the  separations  which  afterwards 
took  place  iij  the  county  of  New-Haven. 


CHAPTER  Vllf. 

Genfral  state  of  the  churches  in  Connecticut  and  New-Eng- 
land. Revivals  of  religion  in  some  fero places,  before 
the  great  and  general  revival  in  1737,  and  1730,  and  es- 
jtccially  in  1 740,  and  1 74 1 .  Some  of  the  principal  instru- 
jnents  of  it.  Great  opp  sition  to  it  by  magistrates  and 
ministers.  Laws  enacted  against  it.  Principal  opposers 
if  the  vwrk  of  God  at  that  time.  Disorders  attending  it. 
>'rparatiom-  from  the  churches  soon  after.  Spirit  and 
character  of  those  luho  separated  from  the  niinisters  and 
f /lurches  at  that  tirm,  liappy  effects  of  the  vsorkingent' 
rat. 

f'harar.tf.p  A  S  the  first  settlers  of  Connecticut  and  New-England, 
^ian'tefr*  -tIL  Were  a  collection  of  people  who  left  their  country  and 
and*  "^  pleasant  seats  in  Europe,  and  followed  the  Lord  into  this 
(hurdler,   then  American  wilderness,  a  land  not  sowp,  for  the  safcfa 


S;t  \\  i\  \ 


CONNLCTItLT. 


rw 


t  HAT.  \  Hi' 

of  nligion,  ihry  fomirfl  c  hurchcs,  strirl  in«lf>ririnr.  in  flin-  ITiiok  TT. 
<  iplim'  ami  in  pra«  ic  <'.     (irciit  naitis  were  iak«'ii  by  thtni  s^^.^^^ 
tu  govern  and  (<Juc.ii<   thoir  t  hilurcii  religiously,  that  they 
might  indeed  be   a   genenition  for  the  Lonl.     They  wcrr 
>ound  in  the  faith,  eminent  for  ex|>rrimer>tal  religion,  and 
of  lives  of  .strict  and  uiiiverHul  monilily.     A  gentleman  of 
eminent rharaeter,  witnessed,  that  in  seven  yearn,  whieb 
he  had  lived  in  New-England,  he  had  never  heard  a  pro- 
I'.ine  oath,  or  seen  i  person  drunk.*     Bui  as  the  goo<l  peo- 
ple who  planted  the  country  died,  and  the  new  generation 
came  on,  there  was  a  sen!sd)lc  decline,  as  t6  the  life  ai\il 
power  of  godliness.     The    generation  which  sm;ceeded, 
were  not  in  general   so  eminent  and  distinguished  in  their 
zeal,  and  striclness  of  moral.s,  as  their  fathers.     The  third  n.-dm 
and  fourth  gcncration»  became  still  more  generally   inat-  Aion  in 
tcntivc  to  their  spiritual  concerns,  and  manifested  a  great-  rclii,'ion 
^  declension  from  the  purity  and  zeal  of  their  ancestors. 
Though  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  was  not  altogether 
without  success,  and  tnough  there  was  tolerable  peace  and 
order  in  the  churches ;  yet  there  was  too  generally  a  great 
decay,  as  to  the  life  and  power  of  godliness.     There  was 
a  general  ease  and  security  in  sin.     Abundant  were  the 
lamentatrons  of  pious  ministers  and  good  people,  poured 
out  before  God,  on  this  account.     Many  days  of  fasting 
and  prayer  were  kept  by  the  churches,  to  seek  the  special 
influences  of  the  holy  Spirit,  in  the  awakening  and  sancti- 
fication  of  the  people.     But  it  did  not  please  the  Supreme 
Ruler,  at  that  time,  to  give   any  special  answer  to  their 
prayers.     No  general  revival  of  religion  was  for  many 
years  experienced.     Some  few  places  were,  nevertheless, 
visited  in  a  very  happy  and  extraordinary  manner. 

In  Northampton,  in  particular,  there  were  repeated  re-  Revivals 
vivals,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stoddard.     The  ?*"  JjJjgJ" 
first  was  about  the  year  1679  ;  a  second   was  in    1683.  ampton. 
Another  was  about  the  year  1696;  a  fourth  in  1712.     In 
1718,  he  had  the  happy  experience  of  the  fifth.    These  ho 
termed  his  harvests.     He  was  eminent  and  renowned, 
both  for  his  gifts  and  graces,  and  his  ministry  was,  from 
the  beginning,  blessed  widi  uncommon  success.     The  re- 
vivals, were,  some  of  them,  much  more  remarkable  than 
others  ;  but  in  each  of  them,  and  especially  in  those  in 
1683,  in  1696,  and  in  1713,  the  greatest  part  of  the  young 
people  in  the  town,  appeared  chiefly  concerned  for  their 
solvation.! 

In  the  year  1721,  there  was  a  very  general  and  remark- 

•  Prince's  Christian  History. 
i  Mr.  Ed^rds'  >'arj;alive,  p.  3,  aRd  Prince's  Christian  History. 


136 


HISTORY  OV 


Chap.  VIll. 


Boor  II. 


f 

^1 

Revival 

in  the 

' 

town  of 

r 

:U' 

AVind- 

1 

? 

F      ^M 


k>- 


kA 


li-i 


I 


m^ 


m 

all  I 

mi 


i-'i 


¥v 


Effects  of 
the  ^rcat 
earth- 
quake, 
Oct.  29«j, 


able  ponccm  and  enquiry  amon*;  the  people,  in  the  toxvii 
of  WiiHliiam,  what  ihey  should  ao  to  be  saved.  The  toAvn 
had  boon  inc<)rjx)rated  alK)ul  twenty-nine  years.  The 
church  had  been  foiined  about  twenty-one.*  The  pastor 
was  the  Rev.  Samuel  Whiting.  He  was  trained  up  for 
the  ministry,  principally  under  the  instructions  of  the  fa- 
mous Mr.  Filch,  of  Norwich.  He  was  eminent  for  »if^ 
and  grace  :  a  clear  and  powerful  preacher  of  the  doc- 
trines of  the  reformation.  His  preaching  at  this  time,  was 
attended  with  such  success,  by  the  jiowerful  influences  of 
the  divine  Spirit,  that  in  the  short  term  of  six  months, 
eighty  pt-rsons  were  admitted  \o  full  communion  in  the 
church.  This  was  a  great  ingathering  unto  Christ  indeed, 
as  the  inhabitants  could  not  be  numerous.  It  was  proba- 
bly nearly  as  much  as  one  person  to  every  family.  This 
could  be  imputed  to  no  extraordinary  external  cause,"  but 
to  the  secret  operation  of  the  spirit  of  God  upon  their 
hearts.t  The  town  Wc  ;  full  of  love,  joy,  thanksgiving  and 
))raise.  A  day  of  thanksgiving  was  appointed,  to  give 
thanks  and  praise  unto  him,  who  had  done  such  great 
things  for  them.'!  In  this  happy  revival,  persons  of  all 
ages,  and  some  of  whom  there  could  have  been  little  ex- 
pectation, came  together  weeping,  to  seek  the  Lord  their 
God,  and  to  join  themselves  to  him,  in  an  everlasting 
covenant,  never  to  be  forgotten. 

But  while  this  place  was  so  remarkably  wet  with  the 
dew  of  heaven,  the  ground  was  dry  all  round  it.  Minis- 
ters and  good  people  were  mourning  the  spiritual  drought 
which  was  upon  them,  that  iniquity  abounded,  and  that 
religion  was  sadly  decaying  throughout  the  land.  After 
the  great  earthquake,  the  night  after  the  Lord's  day,  Oct. 
29th,  1727,  when  the  Almighty  arose,  and  so  terribly 
shook  the  earth  through  this  great  continent,  it  is  true  that 
many  were  greatly  alarmed,  and  that  there  was  a  greater 
resort  to  ministers  and  to  the  house  of  God  than  before, 
and  greater  numbers  were  added  to  the  churches,  yet  in 
4oo  many  instances,  it  appeared  to  be  rather .  the  conse- 
quence of  fear,  than  of  genuine  conviction,  and  a  thor- 
ough change  of  heart.  Ministers,  in  some  places,  took 
great  pains  to  show  the  people  the  difference  of  being  driv- 
en to  the  performance  of  duty,  merely  from  fear,  and  the 
doing  of  it  from  love  to  God,  his  word  and  ordinances ; 

*  The  town  was  iasorporated  in  1692.  The  church  was  gathered  Dec. 
10th,  1700. 

t  President Clap*s  letter  to  the  Ret.  Mb  Prince,  March  29th,  1729. 

I  See  the  SermoB,  on  the  occasion,  a  few  jears  rince  reprinted.  Hi.° 
text  was,  ''  For  now  we  liw,  if  je  utand  fast  in  the  Lord."  1.  Thess. 
iiu  8.  •  ... 


g^W 


jf 


filAP.  VIII. 


CONNFXTICUT. 


137 


^nd  a  thirsting  for  righteousness,  fur  its  own  .srik^^.  Rut 
ihoui,'h  it  was  to  be  hoped  that  some  were  saviriuly  wroii^rht 
upon,  yd  >he  serious  impressions  which  sec  nn'l  at  t"ir>!  to 
ho  made,  were  too  generally  soon  hist,  and  the  goo(hie"«s 
of  ni.iny  appeared  Tike  the  morning  cloud  and  early  dew, 
which  gocth  away.  (j(xl  visited  the  country  with  other 
;nvfii!  i<rovidcnces,  such  as  sore  sickness  and  great  mortal- 
ity, in  some  places,  but  no  general  reformation  was  elfect- 

About  the  year  1734,  that  dreadful  disease  called  the 
throat  distemper  broke  out  and  spread  in  the  coiuilry, 
imong  children  and  youth.  It  was  attended  with  a  sud- 
den and  extraordinary  mortality.  In  some  towns  almost 
;dl  the  children  were  swept  away.  In  some  instances, 
hirge  families  consisting  of  eight  and  nine  children  were 
inauc  entirely  desolate.  The  parents,  in  a  short  time,  at- 
tended them  all  to  the  grave,  and  had  neither  son,  nor 
daughter  left.  The  country  was  filled  with  mourners,  and 
hitter  affliction.  But  the  people  in  general  continued  se- 
rure.  The  forms  of  religion  were  kept  up,  but  there  ap- 
peared but  little  of  the  power  of  it.  Both  the  wise  and 
foolish  virgins  seemed  to  slumber.  Professors  appeared 
too  generally  to  become  worldly  and  lukewarm.  Tho 
young  people  became  loose  and  vicious,  family  prayer  and 
religion  was  greatly  neglected,  the  sabbath  was  lamenta- 
bly profaned :  the  intermissions  were  spent  iti  worldly 
conversation.  The  young  people  made  the  evenings  after 
the  Lord's  day,  and  after  lectures,  the  times  for  their  mirth 
;md  company  keeping.  Taverns  were  haunted,  intemper- 
ance and  other  vices  increased,  and  the  spirit  of  God  ap- 
j)eared  to  be  awfully  withdrawn.*  It  seems  also  to  ap- 
pear that  many  of  the  clergy,  instead  of  clearly  and  pow- 
erfully preaching  the  doctrines  of  original  sin,  of  regenera- 
tion, justification  by  faith  alone,  and  the  other  peculiar 
doctrines  of  the  gospel,  contented  themselves  with  preach- 
ing, a  cold,  unprincipled  and  lifeless  morality:  for  v^hen 
these  great  doctrines  were  perspicuously,  and  powerfully 
preached,  and  distinctions  were'made  between  the  moral- 
ity of  Christians,  originating  in  evangelical  principles, 
faith  and  love,  and  the  morality  of  heathens,  they  were 
offended,  and  became  violent  opposers. 

In  this  state  of  general  declension  and  security  it  pleas- 
ed God,  in  sovereign  mercy,  to  begin  an  extraordinary 
work  of  conviction  and  conversion,  such  as  had  never  been 
experienced  in  New-England  before.  It  began  in  several 
places  in  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  as  early  as  tho 

*  The  Rev.  Mr.  Edwards*  Narrative,  and  Prifico's  Clnritiaii  HUtory, 


Awful  prc- 
viilt'iipe.'* 
di-if'^aril' 
((I,  and 
people  d<-7 
[)art   iiioir 
and    nil )  1 1- 
from  (ioil. 


The  grcaf 
revival  ci' 
religion  by- 
gin«. 


i38 


IIISTORV  OF 


CilAP.  VIII. 


«*  • 


N..rlh 
llaiii|>t(f) 


Book  II,  yrnr=;  ITl.'J,  nnfll73r>,  l)iit  hoc  amc  more  rxtnonliiiary, 
v«^"v^^  and  murh  more  ^meral  in  1710,  and  1711.  Ii  lir>i  brgan 
Revivrii  in  in  ihf  m«^)?i  rrmurkablo  manner  in  the  lown  of  iSorlhamj)- 
fon,  in  iMiissarhusclts,  imder  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Jon- 
athan Kdwards,  afterwards  president  of  the  college  in 
New  Jersey. 

After  giving  an  account  of  the  commencement  of  the 
ivork,  and  the  change  made  in  a  particidar  young  woman, 
and  the  efl'ects  of  it  on  the  young  people,  he  says,  '•  Pres- 
ently,   upon  this,  a  great  and  earnest  concern  about  the 
things  of  religion  and  the  eternal  world,  became  universal 
\n  all  parts  o(  the  town,  and  among  persons  of  all  degrees 
and  ages  :  The  noise  among  the  dry  bones  waxed  louder 
and  louder:  All  other  talk  but  about  spiritual  and  eternal 
things  was  thrown  by  ;  all  the  conversation  in  all  compa- 
nies, and  upon  all  occasions,  was  upon  these  things  only, 
unless  so  much  as  was  necessary  for  people  to  carry  on 
ihcir  ordinary  sccnlar  business,      Other  discourse  than  of 
the  things  of  religion  would  scarcely  be  tolerated  in  any 
company.     The  minds  of  people  were  wonderfully  taken 
off  from  the  world ;  it  was  treated  among  us  as  a  thing  of 
very  little  consequence.  ■  They   seemed   to  follow  their 
worldly   business  more  as  a  part  of  their  duty,  than  from 
any  disposition  they  h<ad  to  it.     The  temptation  now  seem- 
ed to  lie  on  this  hand  ;  to  neglect  worldly  affairs  too  much, 
and  to  spend  too  much  time  in  the  immediate  exercises  of 
leligion.     But  although  people  did  not  ordinarily  neglect 
their  worldly  business,  yet  there  then  was  the  reverse  of 
what  commonly  is  ;  religion  was  with  all  the  great  concern, 
and  the  world  was  a  thing  only  by  the  by.     The  only 
thing  in  their  view  \ras  to  get  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and 
every  one  appeared  pressing  into  it.     The  eagerness  of 
their  hearts  in  this  great  concern  could  not  be  h'd  5   it  ap- 
peared in  their  very  countenances.     It  then  was  a  dread- 
ful thing  amongst  us  to  live  out  of  Christ,  in  danger  every 
day  of  droppi.'g  into  hell :  and  what  peoples'  minds  were 
intent  upon  was  to  escape  for  their  lives,  and  to  fly  from 
the  wrath  to  come.     All  would  eagerly  lay  hold  of  oppor- 
tunities for  their  souls ;  and  were  wont  often  to  meet  to- 
gether in  private  houses  for  religious  purposes  :  and  such 
meetings  when  appointed  were  wont  greatly  to  be  throng- 
ed. 

"  There  was  scarcely  a  single  person  in  the  town,  cither 
old  or  young,  that  was  left  unconcerned  about  the  great 
things  of  the  eternal  world.  Those  that  were  wont  to  be 
the  vainest  and  loosest,  and  those  that  had  been  most  dis- 
posed to  think  and  speak  slightly  of  vital  and  experimental 


CilAP.  Vdl. 

rxtmonlinar), 
It  lir>t  Ijcgun 
of  Nortliamp- 
iho  Rev.  Jon- 
ihe  college  in 

:emcnt  of  the 
young  woman, 
;  says,  '•  Pres- 
ceru  about  the 
:ame  universal 

of  all  degrees 

waxed  louder 
al  and  eternal 
I  in  all  compa- 
5e  things  only, 
le  to  carry  on 
;course  than  of 
Icrated  in  any 
iderfully  taken 
s  as  a  thing  of 
;o  follow  their 
luty,  than  from 
tion  now  seem- 
'airs  too  much, 
ite  exercises  of 
inarily  neglect 
the  reverse  of 

great  concern, 
)y.  The  only 
of  heaven,  and 
e  eagerness  of 

be  h'd ;   itap- 

i  was  a  dread- 
n  danger  every 
es'  minds  were 
nd  to  fly  from 
hold  of  oppor- 

n  to  meet  to- 
sses :  and  such 

to  be  throng- 

le  town,  cither 
3out  the  great 
re  wont  to  be 
leen  most  dis- 
\  experimental. 


(^'Kxr.  viir. 


fONNTlCTICUT. 


130 


roliu'io'ii  were  now  g«^neraily  subject  to  great  awakenings.  Book  II. 
And  ili<^  work  of  (onverslon  was  cariiou  oi>  in  a  mo>l  as-  v^^^^'^^ 
f.)t;Miinii    rnann(T,  and    increased  more  and  moir ;  souls    nj."*. 
di'!.  as  it  were,  come  by  ikx-ks  to  Jesi's  Christ.     From 
(|,i\  to  (lay.  for  many  months  together,  mij^ht  be  seen  evi- 
(i'  ii!  instances  of  dinners  brought  out  of  darkness  into  mar- 
mII)'is  li^'ht,  and  delivered  out  of  thf;  horrible  pit,   and 
from  ilie  miry  clay,  and  set  upon  a  rock,  with  a  new  song 
of  ])raise  to  Gon  in  their  mouths." 

'•  Tnis  work  of  (iotl,  as  it  was  carried  on,  and  the  num- 
],rr  o)  true  saints  multiplied,  soon  made  a  glorious  altei-a- 
tioii  in  the  town  ;  so  that  in  the  spring  and  summer  fol- 
lowing, Anno.  1733,  the  town  seemed  to  be  full  of  the  pre- 
sonre  of  God.  It  never  was  so  full  of  love  and  joy,  and 
yet  so  full  of  distress,  as  it  was  then.  There  were  re- 
markable tokens  of  God's  presence  in  almost  every  house. 
U  was  a  time  of  joy  in  families,  on  the  account  of  ^  dvatiou 
being  brought  unto  them ;  parents  rejoicing  over  their 
children  new  born,  and  husbands  over  their  wives,  and 
wives  over  their  husbands.  The  goings  of  God  were  tlieit 
seen  in  his  sanctuary  ;  God's  day  was  a  delight,  and  hisi 
tabernacles  were  amiable.  Our  public  assemblies  were 
then  beautiful ;  the  congregation  was  alive  in  God's  ser- 
vice, every  one  earnestly  intent  on  the  public  worship,  ev- 
ery hearer  eager  to  drink  in  the  words  of  the  minister  as 
they  came  from  his  mouth  ;  the  assembly  were,  from  time 
tn  lime,  generally  in  tears  while  the  word  was  preached; 
some  weeping  with  sorrow  and  distress ;  others  with  joy 
»ind  love  ;  others  with  pity  and  concern  for  the  souls  of 
their  neighbours. 

"  Our  public  praises  were  then  greatly  enlivened  : 
They  were  sung  with  unusual  elevation  of  heart  and  voice, 
which  made  the  duty  pleasant  indeed. 

"In  all  companies,  on  whatever  occasions  persons  met 
foa;ether,  Christ  was  to  be  heard  of  apd  seen  in  the  midst 
of  them.  Our  young  people,  when  they  met,  were  wont  to 
spend  the  time  in  talking  of  the  excellency  and  dying  love 
of  Christ,  the  gloriousness  of  the  way  of  salvation,  the 
wonderful,  free  and  sovereign  grace  of  God  in  his  glorious 
work,  in  the  conversion  of  a  soul,  the  truth  and  certainty  of 
the  great  things  of  God's  word,  the  sweetness  of  the  views 
of  his  perfections,  &c.  And  even  at  weddings,  which  for- 
merly were  merely  occasions  of  mirth  and  jollity,  there  was 
now  no  discourse  of  any  thing  but  religion,  and  no  ap- 
pearance of  any  thing  but  spiritual  joy." 

Those  who  had  before  been  born  of  God,  experienced 
the  fresh  anointini^?  o(  the  Spirit,  and  revived  like  the 


i  It) 


HlSfOUV  OF 


Chap.  VHI, 


II 


t'l 


m 


m 


r 


HiHK  II.  s|iriii^  .iiiil  '^rrw  like  liic  \  iiir.     M.iny  who  had  iahoiirdj 
s-^">'''>^  iiikIii-  fii(;ii  (lidirniiies  uiih  icsprrl  lo  their  spirilual  state. 
J7.3J.     oliiaiiM 'I  satislyin^  cviilonce  ot  the  love  of  Gfxl  to  theii- 
souls. 

Tlie?*'  appmred  such  an  exlrnoixlinary  chan,ti;e  in  the 
low  II,  thai  strangers  were  surprised  to  sec  it ;  and  it  had  se- 
rious and  hap|iy  elVec  ts  on  many  who  occasionally  visit- 
ri\  it.* 
ftrMviiMn       ' '''^  happy  revival  of  Gon\s  work  was  not  confined  to 
ihr  ii.i-ii-  Norihanipton.  hut  soon  appeared  with  much  the  same  pow- 

' '■'"'7      eiful  aiul  salutary  elTects,  in  about  twelve  other  towns  it; 

«hn  o,nn(y '''*' '"'^''"'y  of  llanipsliirts  partirularlv  in  Sonth-Hadley. 
of  Hami.-  SulHeld,  Sunderland.  Deerl'ieid,  Ilatlicld,  West-Springfield, 
■''''«^'-  Loni^-Meadow.  in  Knficid,  and  VVcstfield,  in  Northfield,  and 
in  one  or  two  od^cr  places.  In  some  of  these  it  was  no 
less  j)owerful  ni\d  extraordinary  than  it  had  been  in  North 
anipton.  The  jj^rcat  and  general  concern  in  those  town:^ 
w  as  for  the  salvation  of  their  souls.  True  Christians  wen-: 
remarkably  quickened  and  renewed  more  and  more  after 
ihe  image  of  God  ;  and  an  uncommon  spirit  of  grace  and 
sup])lication  was  poured  upon  them.  They  acted  in  char- 
ucier,  shining  as  lights  in  the  worhl.  Sinners  flocked  unto 
(.'uRisT,  as  clouds,  and  as  doves  unto  Uieir  windows.  Ac- 
(  ording  to  (he  observations  of  some  ancient  ministers,more 
was  done  in  one  week  than,  according  to  the  ordinary 
(  ourse  of  providence,  had  been  done  in  seven  years. 

'J'hc  same  work  was  more  extensive  in  Connecticutthan 
in  IMassachusctls.  In  fourteen  or  fifteen  towns  or  more,  in 
^^•veral  parts  of  the  colony,  it  was  powerful  and  general,  in 
17.>.'7,  and  in  173G. 

The  first  parish  in  Windsor,  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
the  Rev.  Jonathan  Marsh,  experienced  the  same  mercy 
about  the  same  time  that  the  work  commenced  and  was  car- 
vied  on  at  Northampton,  although  at  the  time  of  its  com- 
mencement, the  towns  had  no  knowledge  of  each  other's 
circumstances.  Here,  as  in  the  other  towns,  there  was  a 
very  general  concern,  and  a  great  ingathering  of  souls  unta 
Christ.  At  the  same  time  East-Windsor,  a  parish  under 
the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Timothy  Edwards,  experienced  a 
very  happy  revival.  Mr.  Edwards  had  before  seen  sever- 
al  awakenings  among  his  people,  during  his  long  ministry. 
No  minister  in  the  colony  had  been  favoured  with  greater 
s\icccss  than  he,  and  now,  in  the  forty-first  year  of  his  min- 
i^lry,  his  spir't  was  greatly  refreshed  by  an  extraordinary 
ingadicring  of  souls  unto  Christ,  not  only  from  among  his 
own  people,  but  from  many  other  congregations  in  Con- 
necticut, and  in  other  colonies. 
*  The  Rpv.  Mr.  Edwards'  Narrative  of  the  work. 


Chap.  V(I(. 

had  l.'thoiirf  il 

.pirilual  state, 

Gfxl  to  ihcii- 

'hfintff  in  thr' 
anil  it  had  sc- 
isionally  visit- 

lot  confined  to 
the  same  |»o\v- 
ithcr  towns  in 
Soiith-Hadlrv. 
st-Sjiririgfirld, 
'Jorthfirld,  and 
lese  it  was  no 
been  in  North- 
n  those  town:^ 
hristians  wer<^ 
tid  more  after 

of  grace  and 
acted  in  char- 
t's flocked  unto 
endows.  Ac- 
Tiinisters,more 

the   ordinary 

n  years, 
mnecticutthan 
ns  or  more,  iit 
nd  general,  in 

storal  care  of 
'  same  mercy 
I  and  was  car- 
te of  its  com- 
"  each  other's 
,  there  was  a 
5  of  souls  unttr 
L  parish  under 
experienced  a 
re  seen  sever- 
long  ministry, 
with  greater 
ar  of  his  min- 
extraordinary 
om  among  lii.> 
ions  in  Con- 


ruAP.  VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


Mi 


There  was  at  the  ^ame  time  a  very  wonderful  work  of  Book  IF. 
Ci(»i»,  hvgiin  and  carried  on  at  CoventrVi  under  thr  inmi.>-  v^^v-^,^ 
ti y  of  the  Kev.  Mr.  Meacham.  There  was  a  snrprisin^  |  735. 
cliaiige  made,  not  only  on  the  people  in  general,  hut  upon 
surlias  ha^rbcen  most  rude  and  virions.  The  work  alx), 
was  very  great  at  Lebanon-Crank",  a  parish  under  the  min- 
i^lry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  VVheelock,  a  pious  young  gentleman, 
\vlio  had  been  then  very  lately  ordained  in  that  place. 
Ai  Duiham,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Chaun- 
,  ( y.  tJMi'e  was  the  like  work,  and  a  great  accession  made 
10  (he  church.  The  town  of  Mansfield,  under  the  minis- 
nvof  the  Rev.  Elcazar  Williams  ;  of  Tolland,  under  that 
.if  the  Rev.  Mr.  Steel ;  Bolton,  under  the  charge  of  the 
Kfv.  Mr.  White  ;  and  Hebron,  under  the  ministry  of  the 
KiV.  Mr.  I'omroy,  a  young  minister,  ordained  about  the 
siune  time  with  Mr.  Wheelot  k ;  and  the  north  })arish  in 
I'reston,  were  all  visited  with  an  uncommon  eflusion  of  the 
lioly  spirit.  At  Norwich,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Lord  ;  and  at  Groton,  there  was  the  same  divine  work 
carried  on,  with  great  power.  Mr.  Lord,  and  Mr.  John 
Owen,  minister  at  Groton,  in  the  spring  of  1735,  visited 
Northampton,  having  heard  the  report  of  the  exti-aordina- 
ry  work  there,  that  they  might  see,  and  hear,  and  form  a 
judgment  of  the  work  for  themselves.  They  conversed 
with  Mr.  Edwards,  and  with  many  of  the  people,  to  their 
great  satisfaction.  They  declared  that  the  work  exceeded 
all  which  had  been  told,  or  that  could  be  told.  On  their 
return,  they  reported  what  they  had  heard  and  seen,  to 
llieir  own  people,  on  whom  it  had  a  great  effect.  It  ap- 
peared to  be  a  means  of  beginning  a  similar  work  at  Nor- 
wich, which  in  ashorttime  became  general. 

The  western  as  well  as  the  eastern  parts  of  the  colony, 
were  refreshed  by  the  divine  shower.  In  New-Haven, 
there  was  an  unusual  concern  for  the  salvation  of  the  soul ; 
a  flocking  in  to  the  church.  Some  in  the  principal  fami- 
lies in  the  town,  became  the  subjects  of  it.  Stratford  so- 
ciety, under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gould  ;  Ripton, 
under  the  pastoral  card  of  Mr.  Mills  ;  and  Newtown,  and 
Woodbury,  had  a  refreshin,^  visitation.  Part  of  the  towa 
of  Guilford,  was  also  visited  in  the  same  gracious  man- 
ner. 

Indeed,  this  rain  of  righteousness,  these  dews  of  heav- 
en, were  still  more  extensive.  They  descended  in  no 
Email  degree  on  various  places  in  New-Jersey. 

This  work  was  very  extraordinary,  on  many  accounts ; 
it  was  much  beyond  what  had  been  the  common  course  oi" 
provideiice,    Jt  w^s  paore  uj|iyer§al  than  had  before  been 


^-  :ti 


142 


fnSTORY  OK 


(^ri,\r.  ilil 


*  S'il 


Book  II.  known.     It  rxtrnded  lo  all  sorts  and  cliaractorsof  pooplf . 

\.^^>/>nm/  Nohrr  and  vicions,  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor,  wise  juid 
173G.  unwisr.  To  all  appcaranco,  it  was  i»o  loss  powcrfid  in 
families  and  persons  of  distinction,  in  the  [»laces  wiili 
which  it  was  visited,  than  others.  In  former  works  of  this 
nature,  yonng  people  had  generally  been  wrought  upon, 
while  elderly  people  and  chddren  had  been  lilflc  affected, 
if  moved  at  all.  But  at  this  time,  old  men  were  affected, 
as  well  as  others.  Even  children  appeared  to  be  the  sub- 
jects of  saving  mercy,  and  in  some  places  fdrmed  them- 
selves into  religious  societies.  Out  of  the  mouths  of 
babes  and  sucklings,  the  Lord  perfected  praise.  It. 
was  extraordinary  as  to  the  numbers  who  appeared,  to  a 
judgment  of  charity,  to  be  regenerated  and  brought  home 
to  Christ.  It  was  uncommon  in  that,  persons  more  than 
fifty,  sixty  and  seventy  years  of  age,  in  considerable  num- 
bers, appeared  to  be  savingly  wrought  upon,  and  after 
long  courses  of  sin  and  opposition  to  their  Saviour,  to  be- 
come his  humble  and  faithful  followers. 

The  work  was  no  less  extraordinary  as  to  the  power 
and  quickness  of  it.  Convictions  were  powerful,  and  ter-* 
lible,  at  once  bowing  down  sinners  to  the  very  dust,  strip- 
ping them  of  every  self  justifying  plea,  and  showing  them 
that  they  were  wholly  at  the  disposal  of  a  sovereign  God, 
against  whom  they  had  always  been  unreasonably  and  in- 
excusably sinning  :  they  saw  that  there  was  no  help  for 
them,  but  through  the  mere  sovereign  mercy  of  God  in 
Christ.  According  to  the  best  judgment  which  could  be 
formed,  it  was  the  opinion,  that,  in  some  towns  and  par- 
ishes, fifteen,  twenty,  and  even  thirty  persons,  were  in  one 
week,  brought  out  of  darkness  into  marvellous  light.  As 
their  convictions  were  powerful,  and  their  distress,  in  some 
instances,  almost  intolerable;  so  their  light  and  joy,  on  a 
change  of  heart,  were  unusua'ly  great.  They  appeared  to 
rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  So  gene- 
ral was  the  religious  concern  where  this  work  prevailed, 
that  a  loose  careless  person  could  scarcely  find  a  compan- 
ion in  the  whole  neighborhood.  If  any  person  appeared 
to  remain  unconcerned,  it  was  considered  and  spoken  of 
3s  a  strange  thing. 

The  work  at  this  time,  though  extraordinaiy  where  it 
prevailed,  was  comparatively  but  in  a  few  places ;  the 
gi-eat  body  of  the  people  through  the  colony,  and  the 
country,  remained  secure  as  before  ;  and  sin  and  inatten- 
tion to  the  great  concerns  of  eternity,  seemed  rather  to  be 
increasing  among  the  people  in  general,  for  about  four  or 
five  years  from  this  time,  until  the  commencement  of  the 


Chap.  VHI. 


fJONNECTIClT. 


It  3 


tTtat  revival,  as  it  has  been  railed,  in  the  years  1710  nntl  Rook  II. 
JTtl.     Thoueh  the  elVects  of  the  work  wvrv   happy,  and  s^^^^^nv 
,;natand  abidiug  rcfonnations  were  made  in  lho«e  places, 
uhith  had  been  visited  so  remarkably,  in  the  preceding 
years,  yet  it  hqd  no  apparently  good  i\iu\  general  etlec  t  on 
(.t!ur  })arts  of  the  couiitry.     Family  prayer  and  religion 
were  much  neglected.     Lectures  previous  to  iIh-  sacra- 
iiient  of  the  Lord's  supper,  and  on  other  occa^ions,  were 
very  thinly  attended.     On  the  Lord's  day,  ther»'  wa  >  not 
thai  general  and  serious  attention  which  hud  been  in  former 
times.'    Too  great  formality  and  coldness  appeared  to  at- 
t.nd  the  public  worship  in  general.     The  extraordinary 
(  oncern  which  had  been  in  a  number  of  towns  and  parish- 
»'s,  in  1735  and  1736,  was  a  subject  of  very  serious  con- 
liideration,  and  excited  the  prayers  and  hopes   of  pious 
people,  that  there  might  be  a  general  revival  of  relij^ion 
ihrough  the  land.     Some  sinners  were  thought  to  become 
more  serious  and   thoughtful  in  co.isecjuence  of  it.     Mr. 
Kd wards,  at  the  desire  of  Dr.  Watts,  and  Dr.  Guy se  of 
London,  and  Dr.  Coleman  of  Boston,  had  written  and  j)ub- 
lished  a  narrative  of  the  said  work,  in  1738  ;  attested  by 
a  number  of  the  neighbouring  ministers  who  were  eye  wit- 
nesses to  it.     In  the  mean  time,  religion  appeared  on  the 
decline :    But  few  persons  offered  themselves  to  the  com- 
munion of  the  churches.     U  was  also  observed,  that  those 
who  did  offer  themselves,  gave  no  account  of  any  prci- 
ous  convictions,  which  they  had  obtained  of  their  great 
sin  and  misery,  by  nature  and  practice.     It  does  not  ap- 
pear that  ministers  in  general,  at  that  time,  made  any  par- 
ticular enquiry  of  those  whom  they  admitted  to  communion, 
with  respect  to  their  internal  feelings  and  exercises.     The 
Stoddardean  opinion  generally  prevailed,  at  that  period, 
that  unregenerate   men  could  consistently  covenant  with 
God,  and  when  moral  in  their  lives,  had  a  right  to  sealing 
ordinances. 

In  1740,  there  began  a  very  great  and  general  concern  Thp  great 
among  the  people,  for  the  salvation  of  their  souls.     The  awiiken- 
awakening  was  more  general  and  extraordinary,  than  any  I,"pcticut""" 
ever  before   known.     It  extended  to  old  and  young,  to  an«i  New- 
gray-headed  sinners,  who  had  long  accustomed  themselves  England, 
to  sin,  and  grown  old  in  their  iniquities ;  and  even  to  little 
children.     The  sinners  in  Zion  were  afraid,  and  fearful- 
ftjss  surprised  the  hypocrites.     The  children  of  God  re- 
ceived the  fresh  anomtings  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  spices  of 
their  garden  flowed  out.     The  bride,  in  happy  union  with 
the  spirit,  said,  Come.   This  awakening  reached  the  large 
iovin^  and  cities,  where  iniquities  and  dissolute  practices^ 


144 


KISTORY  OF 


CiJAP.  VIII. 


In 


m 


th 


1740. 


Grciit  dc 
sire  and 

/fill  lo 

licur  (he 
word. 


Book  II.  of  all  kinds,  did  ^rucnily  nmsf  nhouiul,  n*  well  as  tho 
»^^/^^^  country  towns  and  villaut-s.  'riic  most  thoii/^htN'ss,  securp 
and  hardened  sinners,  were  awakened  a?id  made  to  cry 
for  mercy.  Negroes  and  Indians,  on  whom  before  nf)  iin- 
pre«sion  eoidd  He  made,  were  heard  with  others,  making 
the  great  eiMjuiry.  Young  |)ef)|tle,  among  whom  the  work 
was  most  general,  forsook  their  merry  meetings  andyoutli- 
ful  diversions,  became  earnest  to  hear  the  word,  met  in 
conferences,  read  good  Ijooks,  prayed,  and  ifting  praises  in 
(joi).  People,  in  a  wonderful  manner,  (locked  together  to 
places  of  public  worship,  )iot  only  on  the  Lord's  day,  but 
on  lecture  days,  so  that  the  places  of  worship  could  not 
contain  them.  They  would  not  only  fill  the  houses,  bur 
crowd  round  the  doors  and  windows  without,  and  press  to- 
gether wherever  they  could  hear  the  preacher.  They 
would  not  only  thus  assemble  in  their  own  towns  and  pa- 
rishes, when  the  word  was  preached,  but  if  ibey  had  the 
Jcnow'edge  of  lectures  in  the  neighbouring  towns  and  pa- 
rishes, they  would  attend  them.  Sometimes  they  would 
follow  the  preacher  from  town  to  town,  and  from  one  place 
to  another,  for  several  days  together.  In  some  instances, 
in  places  but  thinly  settled,  there  would  be  such  a  con- 
course, that  no  house  could  hold  them. 

There  was  in  the  minds  of  people,  a  general  fear  of  sin, 
and  of  the  wrath  of  God  denounced  against  it.  There 
seemed  to  be  a  general  conviction,  that  all  the  ways  of 
man  were  before  the  eyes  of  the  Lord.  It  was  the  opin- 
ion Oi  men  of  discernment  and  sound  judgment,  who  had 
the  best  opportunities  of  knowing  the  feelings  and  general 
state  of  the  people,  at  that  period,  that  bags  of  gold  and 
silver,  and  other  precious  things,  might,  with  safety,  have 
been  laid  in  the  streets,  and  that  no  man  would  have  con- 
verted them  to  his  own  use.  Theft,  wantonness,  intem- 
perance, profaneness,  sabbath-breaking,  and  other  gross 
sins,  appeared  to  be  put  away.  The  intermissions  on  the 
Lord's  day,  instead  of  being  spent  in  worldly  conversa- 
tion and  vanity,  as  had  been  too  usual  before,  were  now 
spent  in  religious  conversation,  in  reading  and  singing  the 
praises  of  God.  At  lectures  there  was  not  only  great  at- 
tention and  seriousness,  in  the  house  of  God,  but  the  con- 
versation out  of  it  was  generally  on  the  great  concerns  of 
the  soul. 

As  the  people  were  eager  to  hear  the  word,  the  feet  of 
those  who  published  salvation  were  beautiful ;  they  were 
greatly  animated,  filled  with  zeal,  and  laboured  abundant- 
ly. Especially  was  this  the  case  with  those  ministers  who 
fuvourod  the  work.     They  not  only  preached  abundantly 


Restraint 
from  siu. 


Chap.  VIII. 


CHAP.vnr. 


CONNECTICUT. 


145 


to  thrir  own  people,  and  invited  others  to  preach  to  them,  Boor  II. 
but  they  rode  from  tov«m  to  town,  to  assist  each  other,  and  >^^v^/ 
preach  to  the  r*5ople.     They  al&o  improved  all  opportu-    1740, 
nities  topniacn  to  vacant  congregations.     Sometimes  they 
rode  to  distant  towns  and  societies,  where  the  work  wa» 
very  extraordinary,  to  encourage  ar     bear  testimony  to  the 
|roou  work,  and  by  all  means  in  their  power  to  promote  it. 
In  some  instances  a  whole  assembly,  where  the  people  be- 
fore had  been  very  unconcerned  and  vain,  would  be  deeply 
impressed  and  awakened  under  a  single  sermon. 

There  was  an  extraordinary  instance  of  this  at  EnAeld. 
While  the  people  in  the  neighbouring  towns  were  in  great 
distress  for  theif  souls,  the  inhabitants  of  that  town  were 
very  secure,  loose  and  vain;  A  lectiire  had  been  appoint-  Revival  at 
ed  at  Enfield,  and  the  neighbouring  people,  the  nignt  be-  Enfield, 
fore,  were  so  affected  at  the  thoughtlessness  of  the  inhabit-  J'i^  ■"'* 
ants,  arid  in  such  fear  that  God  would,  in  his  righteous 
judgment,  pass  them  by,  while  the  divine  showers  were 
falhng  all  around  them,  as  to  be  prostrate  before  him  a 
considerable  part  of  it,  supplicating  mercy  for  their  souls. 
When  the  time  appointed  for  the  lecture  came,  a  number 
of  the  neighbouring  ministers  attended^  and  some  from  a 
distance^*  When  they  went  into  the  meeting-house,  the 
appearance  of  the  assembly  was  thoughtless  and  vair .  The 
people  hardly  conducted  themselves  with  common  decen- 
cy. The  Rev.  Mr.  Edwards,  of  Northamptoi,  preached, 
and  before  the  sermon  was  ended,  the  assembly  appeared 
deeply  impressed  and  bowed  down,  with  an  awAii  convic- 
tion of  their  sin  and  danger.  There  was  such  a  breathing 
of  distress,  and  weeping,  that  the  preacher  was  obliged  to 
speak  to  the  people  and  desire  silence,  that  he  might  h& 
heard.t  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  same  great  and 
prevailing  concern  in  that  place,  with  which  the  colony  in 
general  was  visited. 

At  Kew-London,  Grotbn,  Lyme,  Stoningtoii,  PrestoH,  jje^^"*' at 
and  Norwich,  ar  well  as  in  other  parts  of  the  colony,  and  ^^'q°oI 
some  parts  of  R  iode-Island,  the  work  was  general  and  toii,'Ljiiie, 
powerful.    In  tiie  north  part  of  New-London,  under  the  &«. 
pastoral  care  of  the  JRev.  Mr.  Jewett,  there  was  a  great 
revival,    it  is  estimated,  that  not  less  than  twenty  were 
born  again  in  one  week.    The  church  in  Groton^  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  John  Owen,  was  favoured 
with  an  accession  of  eighty  members,^n  the  t#rm  of  five  or 

*  Mr.  Wbeelock  went  from  ConnecticQt,  who  gave  me  iBformatioa  of 
the  whole  affair. 

t  The  sermoa  was  aAerwards  printed  and  reprinted,  with  t)ie  ti\\e  of 
'.'  dinners  in  the  hand*  of  an  angrjr  God.*' 

T 


■i^-, 


im 


niStORY  OF 


ClIAP.  Vllf. 


I' 


Book  If.  six  months.     The  Rev.  Mr.  Parson*,  and  the  Rev.  Georee 
v-*^v-^»  Ciriswold,  of  Lyme,  experienced  a  larec  harvest.     Mr. 
1740     Gri»wold  admitted  into  nis  church  one  hundred  English, 
and     and  thirteen  Indians.     The  Rev.  Mr.  Fish,  of  Stonington. 
1741.    about  the  Mamc  time,  admitted  to  his  commnnion  one  hun 
dred  and  four  persons,  consisting  of  Ixjth  white  and  black. 
The  work  was  not  ef|ually  general  and  powerful  in  all 
places :  it  met  with  great  opjjosition  :  some  of  the  clergy 
appeared  in  opposition  to  it,  and  would  not  Miffer  their 
zealous  brethren  to  preach  in  their  pulpits,  or  in  theii 
parishes ;  but  great  additions  were  made  to  (ho  churches 
in  general.     In  many  places  this  was,  undoubtedly,  done 
with  too  little  caution  and  prudence.     Great  awakening!), 
convictions,  and  joys,  and  much  zeal  in  religious  concerns, 
were  taken  for  real  convei-sion  to  God,  when  there  was  no 
real  change  *,  when  the  heart  was  left  under  the  dominion 
of  pride  and  selfishness,  and  totally  opposed  to  God  and 
holiness.     There  were,  doubtless,  two  reasons  why  such 
numbers  were  so  hastily  admitted  to  communion  in  thr 
churches.     One  was,  that  a  great  proportion  of  the  clergy, 
at  that  time,  were  of  opinion,  that  unregenerate  men,  if  ex- 
ternally moral,  ought  to  be  admitted  to  all  the  ordinances. 
The  other  was,  that  they  considered  those  things  as  an  evi- 
dence of  a  real  change  of  heart  and  life,  which  were  no 
evidence  of  it  at  all.     This  afterwards  appeared  to  be  the 
case  in  too  many  instances. 
Aev'Tal  at     While  this  work  was  so  remarkable  in  Connecticut,  ii 
^Ri!^'^'  '^^*^^®*^  some  places  of  great  security  and  irreligion  in  the 
UlandL  *"  co^ony  of  Rhcwe-lsland.    In  the  town  of  Westerly,  then 
very  extensive,*  there  was  not  known  to  be  one  praying 
family,  nor  one  person  who  professed  religion,  or  even 
One  who  believed  some  of  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  the 
cospel.     In  general,  they  were  extremely  opposed  to  the 
ooclrines  of  the  divine  sovereignty,  of  the  total  depravity 
'  of  the  human  heart,  of  regeneration  by  (he  supernatural  in- 
fluences of  the  divine  Spirit,  of  justification  by  faith,  wholly 
,  on  the  account  of  the  mediatorial  righteousness.    Thev 

-  treated  them  even  with  scorn  and  ridicule.  Ohe  Mr.  Park 
viras  sent  into  this  place,  by  the  board  of  commissioners  for 
Indian  affairs,  to  preach  to  the  Indians,  and  to  such  of  the 
English  as  would  hear  him.  He  took  great  pains  to  re- 
form and  indoctrinate  the  Indians  and  the  people,  but  with 
little  success.  He  zealously  preached  the  doctrines  of  the 
reformation.    But  the  more  he  preached  them,  the  thinner 

•  Westerly  then  contained  the  whole  tract  within  the  towns  of  Westerly 
and  Cbariestown,  into  which  it  has  been  sfaice  divided.  It  was  the  tra^t 
assigned  to  the  Pe({uot  Indians,  after  their  conquest. 


CMAr.  Vlll. 


CONNECTICUT. 


1 47 


hU  assemblies  wpre,  and  the  less  the  people  annenrfd  to  Book  If. 
rsteem  him.  Some,  for  a  time,  would  not  hear  nim.  Uut  v.^^/'<^/ 
as  he  was  certain  that  these  were  the  peculiar  doctrines  of 
the  gospel,  he  continued  faithfully  to  preach  them.  Ami 
now,  at  this  time  of  general  awakening,  it  pleased  God  to 
accompany  them  with  his  blessing.  A  great  and  general 
concern  was  efTected,  both  among  the  English  and  Indian!*. 
A  church  of  between  thirty  and  forty  members,  was  formed 
in  (lie  town.  Among  them  were  six  Indians  and  two  ne- 
gro<  •>.  So  great  was  the  change  now  made,  by  divine 
grace,  that,  in  the  houses  where  there  had  been  neither 
prayers  nor  praises,  the  scriptures  were  now  searched, 
prdyers  were  constantly  made,  psalms  and  hymns  were 
sung  to  the  honour  of  God  and  their  blessed  Redeemer. 
The  people  appeared  at  once  to  be  greatly  enlightened  in 
the  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  and  now  to  love  those  very 
doctrines  which  they  nad  before  so  exceedingly  disrelish- 
ed,  and  even  contemned.  Mr.  Park  was  now  chosen  and 
ordained  their  pastor.  Before  this,  but  few  of  the  Indians 
attended  his  ministry,  and  those  were  not  constant  hearers; 
but  at  this  time,  about  an  hundred  became  his  steady 
hearers. 

About  this  time,  the  Rev.  George  Whitefield,  a  pious  Mr.Whiieo 
young  clergyman  of  the  church  of  England,  who  hadfi«'da'" 
preacned  in  some  of  the   southern  colonies  in  1738,  and  ^^J^g^!'^, 
afterwards  in  various  parts  of  England  and  Scotland,  with  1739.     * 
great  applause  and  effect,  came  over  a  second  time  into 
America.    He  landed  at  Philadelphia,  the  beginning  of  No- 
vember, 1739.     On  his  arrival  he  was  invited  to  preach  in 
all  the  churches,  and  people  of  all  denominations  flocked  -«^ 

in  crowds  to  hear  him.  After  preaching  a  few  days  in 
Philadelphia,  he  made  a  visit,  upon  the  invitation  of  a  cer- 
tain gentleman,  to  New- York,  and  preached  eight  times  in 
that  place  with  great  applause  and  eflect.  Thence  he  re- 
turned to  Philadelphia,  preaching  on  the  way  both  j^oing 
and  returning.  He  preached  at  Eiizabethtown,  Maiden- 
head, Abinf  ton,  Ncshamini,  Burlington  and  New-Bruns- 
wick, in  New-Jersey,  to  nome  thousands  of  people.  There 
had  been  a  considerable  awakening  in  that  part  of  the 
country  before  his  arrival,  by  the  instrumentality  of  Messrs. 
William  and  Gilbert  Tennant,  Blair,  Rowland,  and  a  Mr. 
Frelinghuysen,  a  young  Dutch  minister.  He  was  met  on 
his  way  by  old  Mr.  Tennant,  as  well  as  his  sons,  and  had 
the  honor  and  pleasure  of  a  visit  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dickin- 
son, President  of  the  College,  From  Philadelphia  he 
went  to  Georgia  by  land,  preaching  on  the  way  as  he  pro- 
ceeded,   Nuiabers  followed,  some  twenty  and  some  even 


.»*■'. 


l^'-i^'! 


if  :■ 


141 


HISTORY  ov 


CuAr.  VII?.. 


^fr.Wl^i^e 
fields 
character 
artd 


Book  II.  sixty  miles,  from  Philndclphia.     Ilr  preached  at  Chester, 
Si^"v-^/  Wilmington,  Newcastle,  and  Whitely-Crcek.     At  the  la«,i 
1739.    of  thene  places  it  wan  computed  that  hiH  congregation  con- 
sisted of  not  less  than  ten  thousand  hearers. 

He  preached  also,  in  various  places  in  Maryland,  in  Vir 
ginia,  and  North-Carolina.  He  had  an  interview  with  ilu 
governors  of  Marvland,  and  of  Virginia,  as  he  passed  thokp 
colonics,  both  of  whom  treated  him  with  much  riviliiv. 
When  he  came  to  Charleston  in  South-Carolina,  he  jirqatlj. 
ed  there  three  limes ;  the  people  seemed  almost  universal- 
ly impressed,  and  his  preaching  appeared  not  to  be  in  vain. 
These  reports  reaching  New-England,  there  was  a  i^reai 
desire,  both  in  ministers  and  people,  to  sec  and  hear  him. 

The  following  account  of  his  character  and  preaching, 
was  given  by  a  gentleman  of  eminence  and  discernment, 
aqd  published  at  the  time 

"  He  is  of  a  sjmghtly,  cheerful  temper ;  acts  and  moves 
with  great  agility  and  life.  The  endowments  of  his  mind 
are  very  uncommon  ;  his  wit  is  quick  and  piercing,  his  im- 
prei  cluDg.  agination  lively  and  florid  ;  ai>d  both,  as  far  as  f  can  dis- 
cern, under  the  direction  of  an  exact  and  solid  judgment. 
He  has  a  most  ready  memory,  and  I  think,  speaks  entirely 
without  notes.  He  has  a  clear  and  musical  voice,  and  a 
wonderful  command  of  it.  He  uses  much  gesture,  but  >yith 
great  propriety.  Every  accent  of  his  voice,  eviery  motion 
of  his  boay,  speaks  ;  and  both  are  natural  and  unaffected. 
If  his  delivery  is  the  product  of  art,  it  is  certainly  the  per- 
fection of  it ;  for  it  is  entirely  concealed.  He  has  a  great 
mastery  of  words,  but  studies  much  plainness  of  speech. 

"  His  doctrine  is  right  Sterling ;  I  mean  perfectly  agree- 
able to  the  Articles  oAhe  Church  of  England,  to  which  he 
often  appeals  for  the  truth  of  it.  He  loudly  proclaims  all 
men  by  nature  to  be  under  sin,  and  obnoxious  to  the  wrath 
and  curse  of  God*  He  maintains  the  absolute  necessity  of 
fiupematural  grace  to  bring  men  out  of  this  state.  He  as- 
serts the  righteousness  of  Christ  to  be  the  alon6  cause  of 
the  justification  of  a  sinner ;  that  this  is  received  by  faith ; 
and  that  diis  faith  is  the  gift  of  God  ;  and  that  where  faith 
is  wrought,  it  brings  the  sinner,  under  the  deepest  sense  of 
his  guih  and  unworthiness,  to  the  footstool  of  sovereiga 
grace,  to  accept  of  mercy  as  the  free  gift  of  God,  only  for 
Christ^s  sake.  He  asserts  the  absolute  necessity  of  the 
new  birth  :  That  this  new  production  is  solely  the  work 
of  God's  blessed  spirit :  That  yvherever  it  is  wrought  it  is 
a  permanent  and  abiding  principle,  and  that  the  gates  oi 
hell  shall  never  prevail  against  it." 

He  generally  preached  twice,  and  sometimes  thi:ec  tim^ 


ol 


cu4P.  viir. 


GONNKCTICrr. 


ue 


a  <lav.  ^n<l  ofion  lifiil  ihousarols  nf  hrnrrr".  A  qrnilrmnti  l^inic  11. 
ivlio  hjul  many  «< ruplcs  on  his  mitid  rtlativo  lo  him,  at  s^^v^^^ 
lirst,  fiivcs  Uiis  account  of  his  preachitii;  and  tlic   clli<ts    jT.ji, 

•)|'  it. 

•'  Under  this  frame  of  mind,  I  went  to  hear  him  in  fhf 
rvcning  at  the  Presbyterian  churrh,  where  he  expitituled 
10  altovc  two  thoijitand  people  within  d(K>rs  ind  without. 
I  never  in  my  life  saw  so  attentive  an  audience,  Mr.  VVIiiie- 
field  spake  as  one  having  authority.  All  he  said  was  do- 
monstration,  life  and  power.  The  people's  eyes  and  eaii 
hung  »>n  his  lips.  They  greedily  devoured  every  wonJ. 
I  came  home  astonished  :  I  never  saw  nor  heard  the  like  : 
Kvery  scruple  vanished  ;  and  I  said  within  niysclf,  surely 
God  is  with  this  man,  of  a  truth." 

The  evening  in  which  he  preached  his  last  lecture  at 
New- York, thousands  came  together  to  hear  hi;n;  but  as  the 
place  was  too  strait  for  them,  many  were  obliged  lo  go 
away,  and  it  was  said,  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  lameniini; 
their  disappointment.  These  were  the  pccoi^nts  given  oi 
him  at  New- York. 

A  similar  account,  but  more  particular  and  ample,  was 
published  respecting  him  at  Charleston,  in  South-Carolina, 
by  a  pious  minister  there,  «vho  had  been  favoured  with  the 
best  advantages  to  know  hi  p.*  Speaking  of  the  doctrines 
which  he  preached,  he  siy.i,  "  AH  these  doctrines  now 
jnentioned  are  primitive,  f^rotcstant,  puritanic  ones,  such 
as  our  good  fathers,  confo::mists  and  clissenters,  have  filled 
their  writings  with :  and  as  Dr.  Watts  has  well  observed, 
"  they  fill  heaven  apace,  for  God  is  with  them."  Speak- 
ing of  his  praying  and  preaching,  he  says,  "  Thougn  hh 
Erayers  in  this  pulpit  were  all  extempore,  yet  how  copious, 
ow  ardent,  with  what  compass  of  thought !  The  spirit  of 
grace  and  supplicativ>a  itemed  to  be  poured  upon  him  in 
plenty,  and  to  kindle  and  animate  his  devotions.  He  ap- 
peared to  me,  in  all  his  discourses,  very  deeply  impressed  »a 
i)is  own  h^art.  How  did  that  bum  and  boil  within  him, 
when  he  spake  of  the  things  which  he  had  prepared  coo- 
ceming  the  king !  In  what  a  flaming  light  did  he  set  our 
eternity  before  us!  How  earnestly  did  he  press  Christ 
upon  us!  How  did  he  move  our  passions  with  tin  con- 
straining love  of  such  a  Hedeemer !  The  awe,  the  silence, 
the  attention  which  sat  upon  the  face  of  so  great  an  au- 
dience, was  an  argument  how  he  could  reign  over  ail  theii" 
powers.  So  charmed  were  peojde  with  hts  manner  of  ad- 
dress, that  they  shut  up  their  shops,  forgoi  their  secular  btj- 

*  The  Rey.  Samuel  Smith,  in  a  aermon,  trhich  bits  since  been  publiibecli 
with  Mr.  Wbitefield's  sennoo!.   ■  . 


ill 


•^1      . 

^  '■i' 
s  t 


A"  .1.  te 


150 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  VIII. 


1740. 


Book  II.  sincss,  and  laid  aside  their  schemes  for  ihc  world ;  and  thr> 
oftcner  he  preached,  the  keener  edge  he  seemed  to  put 
upon  their  desires  of  hearing  him  a^in.  How  atvfuily^ 
with  what  thunder  and  sound,  did  he  discharge  the  artillery 
of  heaven  upon  us  !  And  yet,  how  could  he  soften  and  melt 
even  a  soldier  of  Ulysses,  with  the  love  and  mercy  of  God  ! 
How  close  and  strong  were  his  applications  to  conscience ; 
mingling  light  and  heat,  pointing  the  arrows  of  the  Almighty 
to  the  hearts  of  sinners,  while  he  poured  in  balm  upon 
the  wounds  of  the  contrite,  and  made  the  broken  bones  to 
rejoice!  Eternal  themes,  the  solemnities  of  our  holyrel'g- 
ion,  were  all  alive  upon  his  tongue.  He  appears  to  me  to 
be  a  man  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith." 

On  the  spreading  abroad  of  these  reports,  those  eminent 
men.  Dr.  Coleman  and  Mr.  Cooper  of  Boston,  sent  letters 
to  Mr.  Whitefield,  with  pressing  invitations  that  he  would 
visit  New-England.    Mr.  Whitefield,  touched  with  a  curios- 
ity to  see  the  descendants  of  the  good  old  Puritans,  and 
their  seals  of  learning,  and  hoping  that  he  might  make  some 
further  collections  for  the  orpnan  house,  accepted  their  in- 
Mr.wiiitc-  vitation.     He  embarked  at  Charleston  for  New-England, 
field  ar-    abqut  the  last  of  August,  1 740,  and  arrived  at  Rhode-island 
New-Eii".  ®"  ^^^  Lord's  day,  September  14th.    Here  a  number  of 
]and.     ^  principal  gentlemen  soon  waited  pn  him.    Among  them 
was  the  venerable  Mr.  Clap,  an  aged  minister  ^f  the  first 
congregational  'phurch  in  the  town.     Mr.  Whitefield  was 
greatly  delighted  in  him,  and  imagined  he  saw  in  him,  what 
manner  of  men  the  pld  Puritans,  who  planted  New-Eng- 
land,  were.'    He  preached  there  three  (jays,  twice  a  day, 
to  deeply  affected  auditories,    He  then  dep^ed  for  Bos- 
Arnves  ia  ton,  whejpe  he  arrived  on  Thursday  evening.    He  was  met 
on  the  road  by  the  governor's  son,  several  of  the  clergy, 
and  other  gentlemen  of  principal  character,  who  conducted 
him  into  the  city. 

He  preached  the  next  day  for  Dr.  Coleman  and  Mr. 
Cooper,  and  then  at  Dr.  Sewall's  and  Mr,  Prince's,  and 
at  the  other  meetings  in  rotation,  but  his  assemblies  were 
so  large  that  the  most  capacious  houses  could  not  contain 
them,  and  he  often  preached  on  the  common.  On  the 
Lord's  day  he  preached  for  I^r.  Coleman.  Ministers  and 
people  were  deeply  affected.  Dr.  Coleman  observed,  "  it 
was  the  happiest  day  he  ever  s^w."  He  preached  also  at 
Cambridge,  Marblehead,  Ipswich,  Newbury,  Hampton, 
York,  Portsmouth,  Salem  and  Maiden,  to  numerous  con- 
gregations. In  about  a  week,  he  preached  sixteen  times 
and  rode  an  hundred  and  seventy  miles.  He  returned  to 
j^oston,  on  the  6th  of  Octpbcr,    Here  the  number  of  hk 


Boston. 


Chap.  VIII. 


CONPTECTICUT. 


151 


Jirarers  was  exceedingly  increased.  It  was  supposed  that  Boor  II. 
his  hearers,  at  his  last  sermon,  when  be  took  leave  of  the  v^^n/-^./ 
town,  were  not. less  than  twenty  thousand.*  1 740. 

The  revival  which  had  been  in  Connecticut  and  various 
other  places  in  the  countrjr,  had  not  reached  Boston,  until 
after  Mr.  Whitefield's  arrival.  The  ministers  of  the  town, 
bad  appointed  lectures,  and  taken  much  pains  to  call  up 
the  attention  of  the  people  to  the  vast  concerns  of  eternity, 
but  they  were  unsuccessful ;  the  lectures  were  so  thinly  at- 
tended that  they  were  greatly  discouraged.  Mr.  Whitefield 
took  notice  of  it,  and  pressed  the  people  to  reform,  and 
through  his  instrumentality,  there  was  a  remarkable  alter- 
ation. The  congregations  became  full  and  solemn,  and 
the  people  flowed  unto  the  house  of  the  Lord. 

The  people  now  wanted  to  hear  more  preaching  than  was  Revival  oi 
common.     In  consideration  of  this,  public  notice  was  giv-  g^t'j^" '" 
en,  that  there  would  be  a  lecture  on  the  Tuesday  evening, 
weekly.     It  was  the  first  stated  evening  lecture  ever  ap- 
pointed in  that  part  of  New-England.     When  the  evening 
came,  the  house  appeared  no  less  crowded  than  if  Mr. 
Whitefield  had  been  there.     Dr.  Coleman  preached  an  ani- 
mating sermon,  from  Isaiah,  Ix.  8.    Who  are  these,  that  ^ 
Hy  as  a  cloud,  and  as  the  doves  to  their  windows  ?     Thus 
ht  began  : 

"  It  is  a  pleasant  and  wondrous  thing,  to  see  souls  flying 
unto  Jesus  Christ,  to  the  means  of  grace  and  salvation, 
which  he  hath  ordained  and  sanctified,  and  into  the  church. 
If  this  were  not  the  proper  and  natural  sense  of  the  pro- 
phet's words,  I  would  not  have  chosen  them  for  the  opening 
of  the  present  lecture. 

"  Our  dear  people,  your  ministers  have  with  pleasure 
seen  you  in  the  weeks  past,  old  and  young,  parents  and 
children,  masters  and  servants,  high  and  low,  rich  and 
poor  together,  gathering  and  passing  as  clouds  in  our 
streets,  and  as  doves  on  the  wing,  in  flocks  flying  to  the 
doors  and  windows  of  our  places  Oi'  worship ;  and  hover- 
ing  about  the  same,  those  that  could  not  get  in. 

"  The  fame  of  a  singular,  fervent  and  holy  youth,  and 
extraordinary  servant  and  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  who 
makes  his  angels  spirits  and  his  ministers  a  flame  of  fire, 
had  prepared  you  for  his  visit ;  and  with  raised  expecta- 
tions we  received  him,  even  as  an  angel  of  God  for  Jesus* 
sake,  as  the  apostle  St.  Paul  was  received  by  the  church- 
es of  Galatia. 

"God  gave  him  a  wonderful  manner  of  entrance  among 
us,  as  in  other  places  before  us,  among  the  brethren  of  our 
♦  lietter  of  Mr,  CoopoFj  and  Whitcfield'i  Ufc, 


15'i 


HISTORY  OV 


Chap.  Vllf. 


Book  II.  (Icnoinination  ;  and  we  were  somctimps  melted  together  in 
Ni^'v-^S/  tears,  ministers  and  people,  parents  and  children,  under  the 
1740.  commanding  address  of  love  to  his  Saviour  and  our  souls. 
We  led  you  with  visible  pleasure  rn  our  faces  to  the  solemn 
and  ^reat  assemblies,  and  looked  on  you  (here  with  great 
.satisiaction,  in  your  uncommon  regards  to  the  beloved  ser- 
vant of  Christ,  for  the  truth^s  sake  that  dwelleth  in  him, 
and  the  love  of  the  spirit  tilling  him  and  feigning  in  bis 
ministrations  to  us. 

"  And  now,  our  beloved  brethren  and  sisters,  you  and 
your  children,  we  are  going  to  prove,  confirm  and  in- 
crease, by  the  will  of  Oob,  the  seeming  good  dispositions 
begun  or  revived  in  you,  toward  Christ  and  his  word,  in 
a  just,  reasonable,  and  pious  care  and  solicitude  for  your 
salvation. 

"  Mr.-  Whitetield,  once  and  again,  in  his  admonitions  to 
you,  and  also,  in  his  fervent,  righteous  and  effectual  prayers 
for  you,  by  the  will  of  God,  led  yOu  into  the  trial  and 
proof  of  yourselves,  whether,  when  he  was  gone  from  us, 
you  would  better  attend  on  the  ministry  of  your  own  pastors, 
both  on  sabbaths  and  lectures  ?  For  he  bad  heard  (and  it 
ivas  too  true)  that  there  had  been  a  great  defect  in  that 
point  among  you,  before  he  came<  Some  of  your  minis- 
ters, therefore,  now  make  a  new  tender  of  themselves  to  you, 
in  the  fear  and  love  of  God,  in  this  new  lecture  for  the  ser- 
vice of  your  souls,  if  you  will  encourage  them  by  a  like 
attendance  on  it,  as  we  have  lately  seen  you  give  to  the 
word  preached. 

"  We  preach  the  same  CHRisf ,  the  same  doctrines,  of 
grace  according  to  godliness,  with  the  same  gospel  mo- 
tives and  arguments,  applications  to  conscience,  and  sup- 
plications to  God,  for  you,"  &c.  &c. 

This  was  the  beginnmg  of  the  most  extraordinary  revi- 
^  val  of  religion  ever  experienced  in  Boston,  or  in  that  part 
of  New-England.  The  religious  concern  continued  and 
increased  all  winter^  Hundreds  of  people  fkx:ked  to  their 
ministers  for  instruction  and  comfort  under  spiritual  trou-< 
bles.  Never  had  they  experienced  any  thing  to  be  com- 
pared with  it. 

When  Mr.  Whitefield  left  Boston,  it  was  for  Northamp^ 
ton.  He  had  read  in  England,  the  narrative  of  Mr.  Ed- 
wards, of  the  remarkable  work  of  God  in  that  place,  in 
1 735,  and  had  a  great  desire  to  see  him  and  receive  the  ac- 
count from  his  own  mouth.  On  his  way,  he  preached  at 
Concord,  Sudbury,  Marlborough,  Worcester,  Leicester, 
and  Hadley.  Pulpits  and  houses  were  every  where  open- 
ed to  him,  and  tl^e  same  happy  influence  and  effects  attend- 


Chap.  VIT. 


CONNECTICUT. 


l-^ 


.d  his  preaching,  which  had  been  experienced  in  other  Book  II. 
j)laces.  v-^-v-s.. 

When  he  arrived  at  Northampton,  ahout  the  middle  ofMr.WhU.- 
October,  he  was  joyfully  received  by  Mr.  Edwards  anHI  ***'**  . 
ihe  people.  He  preached  tour  sermons  in  the  meeting  at  Nortir- 
l)nuse,  and  a  private  lecture  at  Mr.  Edwanis'.  The  ron-  amptpn 
giTgation  was  affected,  in  a  very  extraordinary  manner. 
Almost  the  whole  assembly  were  in  tears  during  a  great* 
part  of  the  sermon.  When  he  came  to  remind  them  of  the 
^reat  things  which  God  had  dqne  for  them  in  the  former 
work  among  them,  says  the  writer  of  his  life,  ^'  It  was  like 
putting  fire  to  tinder ;  both  minister  and  people  were  much 
moved."  His  discourses  were  happily  adapted  to  the 
circumstances  of  the  town,  containing  just  reproofs  for 
backsliding,  and  pleaded  ivith  tfaem  the  great  mercier> 
which  they  had  received,  and  the  high  professions  which 
they  had  made,  as  arguments  to  encourage  them  to  return 
unto  God,  in  all  holiness  of  heart  and  life.  Immediately 
after  his  preaching,  the  minds  of  the  people  appeared  more 
engaged  in  religion.  The  revival  appeared  at  first 
])rincipally  among  professors ;  but  it  soon  became  more 
general  and  more  powerful  than  the  former  work  : 
and  ^"i\  "<  Uy  it  was  more  remarkable  and  general 
among  -  j  i  on.  Many  cried  out  and  sunk  down  under 
awaker.iiigo  ;  others  were  overcome  with  joy,  and  fainted 
under  the  views  they  had  of  the  exceeding  glory  and  ex- 
cellency of  their  Saviour,  and  of  divine  truths  and  beau- 
ties. 

After  leaving  Northampton,  he  preached  at  Westfield, 
Springfield,  Suffield,  Windsor,  Hartford,  Weathersfield, 
Middletown  and  Wallingford,  to  large  and  affected  congi'e- 
gations. 

On  the  23d  of  October,  he  reached  New-Haven.  Here 
he  was  affectionately  received  by  Mr.  James  Pierpont, 
brother-in-law  to  Mr.  Edwards.  As  the  General  As3em- 
bly  were  then  sitting,  he  tarried  until  Lord^s  day,  and  had 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  numbers  daily  impressed.  Several 
ministers  waited  on  faim,  with  whose  pious  conversation 
he  was  much  refreshed.  He  paid  a  visit  to  governor  Tal- 
cott,  who  said  to  him,  * "  thanks  be  to  God,  for  such  re- 
freshings in  our  way  to  heaven." 

After  the  sabbath,  hp  preached  at  Milford,  and  prose- 
cuting his  journey  to  New- York,  and  the  southern  colo- 
nies, he  preached  with  his  usual  popularity  and  succejss, 
.It  Stratford,  Fairfield,  Norwalk  and .  Stamford.  Taking 
leave  of  Connecticut,  he  preached  at  Rye  and  Kings- 
■iwidge.  and   on  the  thirtieth  October.  .Tjrrivod  at  New- 


1J4 


HISTORY  OF 


LH.vr.  VIH. 


W 


1740. 


Book  II.  York.  He  nrcached  three  days  nt  New-York,  and 
then  dcpartea,  nreaching  through  the  southern  colonies, 
as  he  had  done  before,  but  apparently  >vith  greater  sue- 
cess. 

In  December,  he  arrived  at  Charleston,  in  South-Caroli- 
na, where  he  makes  the  foUowin*'  remarks :  "  It  is  now 
the  seventy-fifth  day  since  I  arrived  at  Rhode-Island.  My 
i)ody  was  then  weak,  but  the  Lord  hath  much  renewed  its 
strength.  I  have  been  enabled  to  preach,  I  think,  an  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  times  in  public,  besides  exhorting 
frequently  in  private.  I  have  travelled  upwards  of  eight 
hundred  miles,  and  have  gotten  upwards  of  sever,  hundred 
pounds  sterling,  in  goods,  provisions,  and  money,  for  the 
Georgia  orphans.  Never  aid  I  perform  my  jowncy  with 
so  little  faiigue,  or  see  such  a  continuance  of  the  divine 
presence  in  the  congregations  to  whom  I  have  preached. 
Praise  the  Lord,  9  my  soul." 

By  letters  written  to  him  and  of  him,  it  appears  he  was 
the  instrument  of  great  good  in  New-England,  as  well  as 
in  the  southern  colonies.  He  greatly  c]uickened  an'  1  ani- 
mated ministers  as  well  as  ,;nvate  christians  ;  convinced, 
and  was  instrumental  in  converting  sinners ;  thus  promot- 
ing the  >vork  of  the  Lord,  especially  in  Massachusetts  and 
Connecticut. 

Another  instrument  in  this  good  work,  from  abroad,  wah 
was  Mr.  Gilbert  Tennant.  He  had  been  very  successful 
in  his  labors  among  his  own  people,  and  others  in  the 
neighbouring  towns,  in  New-Jersey,  and  was  sent  by  the 
JPresbytei'y,  or  a  number  of  ministers  in  his  vicinity,  to 
preach  in  New-England,  and  assist  in  promoting  the  good 
work  which  had  been  so  remarkably  begun.  He  had 
much  hesilction  relative  to  the  undertaking;  but  after 
inuch  prayerfulness  and  advice,  he  consented  to  make  a 
journey  into  these  parts.  He  was  a  sound,  experimental, 
searching  preacher  ;  a  son  of  thunder.  He  designed  to 
labour  principally  at  Boston ;  but  to  preach  through  the 
country,  going  and  returning.  He  is  represented  as  doing 
special  service  in  his  preacning.  He  came  into  Connec- 
ticut soon  after  Mr.  Whitefield  went  to  the  southward. 
His  preaching  was  powerful,  and  appeared  to  have  hap- 
py effects.  He  reached  Boston  about  the  middle  of  De- 
cember. The  assemblies  had  been  fuU  from  the  time  ol 
Mr.  Whitefield's  preaching  there,  until  this  time,  but  by 
his  preaching,  the  concern  became  more  general  and  pow- 
erful. A  gentleman  who  had  been  famous  for  preaching 
both  in  England  and  America  and  had  heard  Mr.  White- 
field  repeatedly,  gives  this  character  of  3Ir,  Tc.nnant : 


Account  of 
Mr.  Teu- 
nant. 


Chap.  VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


15fi 


in. 


jearshe  was 
,  as  well  as 
led  anl  ani- 
;  convinced, 
hus  promot- 
chusetts  and 

abroad,  was 
y  successful 
thers  in  the 
sent  by  the 
vicinity,  to 
int.  the  good 
He  had 
;  but  after 
1  to  make  a 

Serimental, 
esigned  to 
through  the 
ted  as  doing 
nto  Connec- 
southward. 
have  hap- 
iddle  of  De- 
ll the  time  ol 
time,  but  by 
ral  and  pow- 
or  preaching 
1  Mr.  White- 
Tciuiant . 


"  He  sermcd  to  have  as  deep  an  acauaintancc  with  the  vx-  liooK  II. 
perimental  part  of  religion,  as  any  1  have  conversed  with;  Ni^n'^^^ 
and  his  preaching  was  as  searching  and  rousing  as  over  I    1740. 
Iiicard.     He  seemed  to  have  no  regard  to  please  the  eyes  of 
his  hearers  with  agreeable  gesture,  nor  their  ears  with  de- 
livery, nor  their  fancy  with  language  ;  but  to  aim  directly 
at  their  hearts  and  consciences,  to  lay  open  their  ruinous 
delusions,  show  them  their  numerous,  secret,  hypocritical 
shifts  in  religion,  and  drive  them  out  of  every  deceitful  re- 
fuge, wherem  they  made  themselves  easy  with  the  form  of 
godliness  without  the  power.     And  many  who  were  pleas- 
rd  in  good  conceit  of  themselves  before,  now  found,  to 
their  great  distress,  that  they  were  only  self-deceived  hypo- 
crites. 

"  From  the  terrible  and  deep  convictions  he  had  passed 
;hrough  in  his  own  soul,  he  seemed  to  have  such  a  lively 
view  of  the  divine  majesty,  the  spirituality,  purity,  and  ex- 
tensivcness  of  his  law,  with  his  glorious  holiness  and  displea- 
sure at  sin ;  his  justice,  truth  and  power  in  punishing  the 
damned;  that  the  vfcry  terrors  of  God,  seemed  .o  rise  in 
his  mind  afresh,  when  he  displayed  and  brandished  them 
in  the  eyes  of  unreconciled  sinners.  And  though  some 
could  not  bear  his  preaching,  yet  the  arrows  of  convic- 
tion, by  his  ministry,  seemed  so  deeply  to  pierce  the  hearts 
of  others,  and  even  some  of  the  most  stubborn  sinners,  as 
to  make  them  fall  down  at  the  feet  of  Christ,  and  yield  a 
lowly  submission  to  him." 

He  preached  in  Boston  principally  for  more  than  two 
months.  His  preaching,  and  the  great  and  general  en- 
quiry of  the  people  after  the  way  of  life,  caused  the  minis- 
ters to  treat  more  largely  of  the  operations  of  the  spirit  of 
grace,  as  a  spirit  of  conviction  and  conversion,  consola- 
tion and  edification  in  the  souls  of  men,  agreeable  to  the 
holy  scriptures,  and  the  common  experiences  of  true  be- 
lievers.* 

In  Connecticut,  the  work  was  more  po\.  rful  than  in 
Boston.  In  many  places,  people  would  cry  out,  in  the  time 
of  public  worship,  under  a  sense  of  their  overbearing  guilt 
and  misery,  and  the  all-consuming  wrath  of  God,  due  to 
them  for  their  iniquities ;  others  would  faint  and  swoon 
under  the  aflfecting  views  which  they  had  of  God  and 
Christ  ;  some  would  weep  and  sob,  and  there  would 
sometimes  be  so  much  noise  among  the  people,  in  particu- 
lar places,  that  it  was  with  difficulty  that  the  preacher 
could  be  heard.  In  some  few  instances,  it  seems,  that  the 
minister  has  not  been  able  to  finish  h^s  discourse,  there  has 
'  .-nnce's  aocoimt  of  the  Tvork  of  God  id  Boston. 


IMr 


HISTORY  OF 


Cii\i'.  Vlli. 


1741. 


I 


Book  II.  hvru  >o  tnncli  crying  out  an»l  Jisiurbnncc.     This  was  the  • 
rasp  ill  some  i>lat(.»,  not  only  on  the  sabbath,  but  at  pubiii 
lectures,  and  also  at  loclurcs  in  private  houses.     Thus  if 
was  in  various  places,  not  only  in  Connecticut,  but  in  other 
parts  of  New-England. 

When  persons,  who  had  cried  out  in  the  time  of  public 
worship,  or  had  swooned,  and  appeared  unable  to  endure 
the  things  which  they  'lad  heard  or  seen,  W€re  by  them- 
selves, in  the  interims  of  public  worship,  the  people  would 
"owfl  around  thf^,  to  inquire  what  they  had  seen  or  felt. 

hich  had  so  affected  them ;  and  they  sometimes  Would 
^•ive  such  an  account  of  theri^  view  of  their  sins,  and  of  th«.^ 
dreadfulness  of  the  wrath  of  God  due  to  them,  as  would  ex- 
ceedingly affect  others,  and  be  a  means  of  great  awakening 
and  concern  in  them.  In  like  manner,  the  accounts  which 
some  gave  of  the  overcoming  sense  which  they  had  of  thf 
greatness,  holiness,  justice,  goodness,  truth,  and  faithful- 
ness of  God ;  of  the  love  of  Christ ;  his  willingness  and 
sufficiency  to  save,  even  the  cliief  of  sinners,  would  seem 
verv  greatly  to  move  others.  In  this  way  convictions  were 
ijici-cased,  and  the  work  pramoted. 

Connecticut  was  more  remarkably  the  seat  of  the  work 
than  any  part  of  New-England,  or  of  the  American  colo- 
nies. In  the  years  1740, 1741  and  1-742,  it  had  pervaded, 
in  a  greater  or  less  degree,,  every  part  of  the  colony.  In 
most  of  the  towns-  and  societies,  it  was  very  general  and 
powerAil. 

The  labours  and  expenses  of  ministers  were  now  great, 
beyond  any  thing  which  they  had  ever  before  experienced.. 
The  people  wanted  continual  preaching.  It  ^vas  difficult 
to  satisfy  them.  At  the  same  time,  there  would  be  consid- 
erable numbers  of  them  under  distress  of  mind,  and  in- 
quiring the  way  to  Zion.  During  this  period,  more  per- 
sons repaired  to  their  ministers,,  for  scligious  conversation 
and  direction,  than  did,  in  ordinary  times,  during  the  whole 
course  of  their  ministry.*  Not  only  the  people  of  their 
own  parishes,  but  from  other  towns,  and  some  from  a  dis  • 
tance,  resorted  to  them  for  instruction  and  counsel..  Num- 
bers, who  had  for  many  years  been  professors  of  religion, 
were  convinced,  that  their  hope  w^as  no  other  than  the  hope 

*'  Mr.  Prince,  in  his  account  of  the  awak(2ning  in  BostoD,  says,  "  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Cooper  was  wont  to  say,  that  more  came  to  him  in  one  week, 
in  deep  t;oncern  about  their  souls,  than  in  the  whole  twenty-four  years  oi° 
his  preceding  miniajtry.  I  can  also  say  tiie  same,  as  to  the  numbers  'who 
repaired  to  me.  By  Mr.  Cooper^s  letter  to  a  friend  io  Scotland,  it  appear:! 
about  six  hundred-different  persons  applied  to  him  in  three  months  time  z 
and  Mr.  Webb  informs  me,  he  has  had^  ia  the  same  sipaco,  above  a  thc''< ' 
aand,** 


Abundant 
Kubours 
and  ex- 
penses of 
iiiiinistcrs. 


Chap.  VIIF. 


CONNECTfCtT. 


J.V7 


ictions  were 


of  the  hypocrite,  which  would  most  certainly  p(>rrsli,  \rlirn  Book  If. 
ti(Kl  should  take  away  the  soul.     They  became  no  less  v^^^^^s^/ 
ftirnest  inquirers  after  the  way  of  life  than  others.  In  many    1741. 
instances,  the  mihistcr  was  entirely  opposed  to  the  work, 
;ui(l  they  could  obtain  no  light  or  satisfaction  in  conver>ing 
with  him,  and  naturally  repaired  to  those  who  were  zeal- 
ous in  promoting  the  Lonu^s  work.     Some  ol*the  clergy 
ucre  so  thronged  with  company,  and  were  at  so  much  ex- 
pense, as  in  a  considerable  degree  to  injure  their  estates. 

The  reverend  gentlemen  who  most  favoured  the  work  in  Minist*A 
Connecticut,  while  others  opposed  it  with  all  their  power,  Jo^JJ^edth* 
were  Whitman,  of  Hartford;  Lockwood,  of  Weathersfield ;  rclimous 
Joseph  Meacl.am,  of  Coventry;  Lord,  of  Norwich;  Wil-rcvivul. 
liams,  of  Lebanon ;  Parsons,  of  Lyme ;  Owen,  of  Groton ; 
""imeroy  and  Wheelock :  In  the  county  of  New-Haven, 
Jlumphi'ey,  Leavenworth,  Allen,  and  Robbins  of  Bran- 
ford  :  In  the  counties  of  Fairfield  and  Litchfield,  Mills,  of 
Rinton;  Graham,  of  Woodbury ;  Parrand,  of  Canaan;  and 
Bellamy,  of  Bethlem.  But  the  most  zealous  and  laborious 
in  the  cause,  who  took  the  most  pains,  and  spent  the  most 
property  in  the  service  of  their  Master,  were  the  Rev. 
Messrs.  Jedediah  Mills,  Benjamin  Pomeroy,  Eleazar  Whee- 
lock, and  Joseph  Bellamy.  They  were  not  only  abundant- 
in  labours  among  their  own  people,  and  in  neighbouring 
towns  and  societies ;  but  they  prer  1  in  all  parts  of  the 
colony,  where  their  brethren  would  admit  them,  and  in 
many  places  in  Massachusetts,  and  the  other  colonies.  The/ 
were  very  popular,  and  their  labours  were  generally  ac- 
ceptable to  their  brethren,  and  useful  to  the  people.  They 
^vere  not  noisy  preachers,  but  grave,  sentimental,  search- 
ing, and  pungent* 

Mr.  after>vards  Dr.  Pomeroy,  was  a  man  of  real  genius,  Characte? 
grave,  solemn,  and  weighty  in  his  discourses;  they  were  of  Mr. 
generally  well  composed,  and  delivered  with  a  great  de-  °'*^™^ 
gree  of  animation,  zeal  and  affection.  He  appeared  to 
have  a  deep  concern  for  the  salvation  of  his  hearers ;  and 
often,  in  his  addre  es  to  them^  and  in  his  expostulations 
find  pleadings  with  them  to  be  reconciled  to  God,  to  for- 
sake the  foolish  and  live,  would  melt  into  tears  and  weep^ 
over  them.  His  language  was  good,  and  he  might  be  reck- 
oned among  the  best  p  xachers  of  his  day.  He  could  set 
the  terrors  gf  the  Lord  in  awful  array  before  sinners,  and 
show  them,  in  an  alarming  manner,  the  slippery  places  oh 
which  Uiey  stood.  With  equal  advantage,  he  could  repre- 
sent the  wonders  of  Christ's  love,  his  glory,  the  sufficienv 
cy  of  his  righteousness,  and  the  blessedness  of  all  who  would 
be  reconciled  unto  Go4)  through  hijm. 


153 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  VIII. 


m 


..f  Mr. 

VV'lii-i:lock 


Hook  II.      T\Ir.  rificrueinls  Doctor  and  Prrsidcnl  Whrrlock.  was  a 

v-^-v-^  ^f'tii  Icman  oi'  a  coinrly  fi^urp,  of  a  mild  and  winning  asnrc  ( . 
n.'Jfi.     'lis  volte  stnooih  and  harmonious,  the  brst,  by  far,  that  I 

C'linriutrr  cvcr  hoiird.  Uo  had  the  entire  command  of  it.  His  ges- 
ture was  natural,  hut  not  redundant.  His  preaching  am! 
addri'sses  were  close  and  pungent,  and  yet  winning,  be- 
yond almost  all  comparison,  so  that  his  audience  would  lj( 
melted  oven  into  tears,  before  they  were  aware  of  it. 
TliC  doctrines  preached  by  those  famous  men,  who  werr" 

DoHrincs  owned  as  the  principal  instruments  of  this  extraordinan 

which  thry         •      t     e  ri     '•>  '  i  ...      i      .   •  r  .u  r 

peached,  revival  of  God's  work,  were  thedoctrmps  ot  the  retormn- 
tion  : — the  doctrine  of  original  sin,  of  regeneration  by  the 
supernatural  influences  of  the  divine  Spirit,  and  of  the  ab- 
solute necessity  of  it,  that  any  man  might  bear  good  fruit, 
or  ever  be  admitted  into  the  kingdom  of  God  ;  eflfcctual 
calling,  justification  by  faith,  wholly  on  the  account  of  the 
imputed  righteousness  of  Jesus  Christ  ;  repentance  to- 
ward God,  and  faith  toward  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  the 
perseverance  of  the  saints ;  the  in-dwelling  influences  of 
the  J  loly  Spirit  in  them  ;  and  its  divine  consolations  and 
joys. 

They  took  great  pains  to  detect  the  hypocrite,  to  ex- 
hibit his  character  and  danger.  President  Wheelock  had 
a  sermon  from  Job  xxvii.  8th  :  "  What  is  the  hope  of  th( 
Jiypocrite,  though  he  hath  gained,  when  God  taketh  awa} 
his  soul  ?" — in  which  he  described  the  hypocrite,  showed 
how  far  a  man  might  go  in  religion,  and  after  all  be  no 
more  than  a  hypocrite.  He  then  showed  the  miserable 
end  of  the  hypocrite  ;  that  notwithstanding  all  the  riches  of 
fame,  which  the  hypocrite  had  gained,  or  whatever  degree 
of  hope  of  good  things  in  this  world,  or  in  that  which  is  to 
come,  he  might  gain,  God  would  bring  him  to  the  grave; 
and  w  iien  he  should  take  away  his  soul,  all  his  expectations 
would  fail.  His  deceit  and  wickedness  would  all  be  made 
maniicsi,  and  he  would  be  brought  forth  at  last  to  public 
shame  and  contempt.  The  folly  and  danger  of  hypocri- 
sy, the  dreadful  condition  and  fearful  end  of  hypocrites, 
were  exhibited  in  a  strong  and  awful  point  of  light.  The 
audience  were  pressed  by.  all  means  to  be  Christians  in- 
deed, and  not  to  deceive  themselves,  and  perish  with  the 
hope  of  the  hypocrite.  He  had  another  sermon,  which  he 
preached  with  success,  from  Mark  xvi.  16.  He  that  be- 
lieveth  and  is  baptized,  shall  be  saved  ;  but  he  that  believ- 
eih  not,  shall  be  damned.  In  this  sermon,  he  described  a. 
saving  faith  in  Christ,  and  gave  many  distinguishing  marks 
of  it.  At  the  same  time  he  insisted  that  all,  without  excep- 
tion, who  would  not  believe,  would  most  certainlybe  damn- 


OMAP. 


VIU. 


CONNECTICUT. 


1  ju 


,.,|,     These  seiinons  I  find  particularly  meiiiioticd,  in  th«'  Hook  II. 
narratives  given  of  the  awukellitl^s,  a**  havintj;  Ixcn  attend-  v^-v^^/ 
,(1  with  happy  effects.     Concerning  this    hitter   sermon,    n.\2. 
rthirh  he  preached  at  Taunton,  at   the  beiB^iniiing  of  the 
awakening  there,  it  is  written,  "  Many  were  awakened  and 
pricked  in  their  hearts  :  Zion's  king  rode  triumphant  upon 
ihc  word  of  truth." 

Mr.  afterward  Dr.  Bellamy,  was  a  lar^e  and  well  linilt  pp.  R^na. 
man,  of  a  commanding  appearance;  had  a  smooth,  stronc;  myV  dia- 
voice,  and  could  fill  the  largest  house  without  any  unnatu-"'**^'  >""' 
ral  elevation.     He  possessed  a  tndy  great  mind,  generally  *'"^'  ""'' 
preached  without  notes,  had  some  great  point  of  doctrine 
commonly  to  establish,  and  would  keep  close  to  his  point 
until  he  had  sufficiently  illustrated  it ;  then,  in  an  ingcn* 
ious,  close,  and  pungent  manner,  he  would  make  the  ap- 
plication.    When  he  felt  w dl,  and  was  animated  by  a  lar^e 
and  attentive  audience,  he  would  preach  incomparably. 
Though  he  paid  litUe  attention  to  language,  yet  when  he 
became  warm  and  was  filled  with  his  subject,  he  would, 
from  the  native  vigor  of  his  soiil,  produce  the  most  cor; 
manding  strokes  of  eloquence,  makmg  his  audience  alive. 
There  is  nothing  to  be  found  in  his  writings,  though  a  ^ound 
and  great  divine,  equal  to  what  was  to  be  seen  and  heard 
in  his  preaching.     His  pulpit  talents  exceeded  all  his  other 
gifts.     It  is  difucult  for  any  man,  who  never  heard  him,  to 
form  a  just  idea  of  the  force  and  beauty  of  his  preaching. 

While  I  was  an  undergraduate  at  New-Haven,  the  Doc-  preacliing 
for  preached  a  lecture  for  Mr.  Bird.  At  the  time  appoint-  at  New- 
cd,  there  was  a  full  house.  The  Doctor  prayed  a'd  sang ;  Haven, 
then  rose  before  a  great  assembly,  apparently  full  of  expec- 
tation, and  read,  ID^ut.  xxvii.  26,  "  Cursed  be  he  that  con-  , 
iirmeth  not  all  the  words  of  this  law  to  do  them  :  and  all 
the  people  shall  say,  Amen."  The  number  and  appear- 
ance of  the  people  animated  the  preacher,  and  he  instant^ 
ly  presented  them  with  a  view  of  the  twelve  tribes  of  Isra- 
el assembled  on  Mount  Ebal  and  Mouiit  Gerrizim,  accord- 
ing to  the  divine  appointment,  and  the  audience  were  made 
to  hear  the  Levites  distinctly  reading  the  curses,  and  all 
the  thousands  of  Jacob  repeating  them,  uttering  aloud  their 
approving  Amen.  Twelve  times  says  the  Doctor,  it  goeti, 
round,  round,  round  all  the  camp  of  Israel,  Cursed  be  the 
man  who  committeth  this  or  the  other  iniquity.  Nay, 
round  it  goes,  through  all  the  thousands  of  God's  chosen 
people,  Cursed  be  he  that  eonfirmeth  not  all  the  wor^"  of 
this  law  to  do  them :  and  all  the  people  shall  say,  Amen. 
By  universal  t>onsent,  (the  approving  Amen,  of  all  the 
CQjigregation  of  Isi"acl,)  he  v/ho.  did  not  yield  a  cheerful 


loU 


IH-SroRk  OF 


i^llAI'.  Vllf. 


i-'l 


RonKlI..in(i  uiiiviiniil  «)bftlipncp  (o  thr  wliolc  I;iw,  was  cnrsr«l. 
From  this  linking  and  general  view  of  ihc  subject,  thi 
Doctor  ()I)Sf'rvrJ,  that  it  was  the  ancient  doctrine  ol'  th' 
ihurch,  which  (ioD  to<^  great  puins  to  teach  them,  tha; 
rvcry  hin  deserved  the  etornal  curse  and  damnation  oi 
Cioii :  or  that  the  wages  of  every  sin  was  death.  Having, 
irom  a  variety  of  views,  established  this  leading  point , 
that  all  parties  might  be  treated  fairly,  he  brought  tne  ob- 
jector on  to  lh(  stage,  to  remonstrate  against  the  doctrine 
ho.  had  advanced.  When  be  had  oflfered  hin  objections, 
Gabi'icI  was  brought  down  to  show  iiim  the  futility  of  hit 
objections,  and  ilie  presumption  and  impiety  of  making 
them  iigainst  tlie  divine  law  and  government.  They  were 
«  Icarly  answered,  and  the  opponent  was  triumphantly  swept 
iVom  the  stage.  The  argument  gained  strength  and  beauty 
lirough  the  whole  progress.  The  deductions  were  sol- 
inin  and  important.  1  he  absolute  need  of  an  atonement 
that  sin  might  be  pardoned,  or  one  of  the  human  race  sav- 
ed :  the  impossibility  of  justification  by  the  deeds  of  the 
law  :  the  immaculate  holiness  and  justice  of  God  in  the 
damniuion  of  sinners.  They  were  stripped  naked,  and 
!  heir  only  hope  and  safety  appeared  to  be  an  immediate 
llight  to  the  city  of  refuge.  The  truths  of  the  gospel  were 
I  stablished,  and  God  was  glorified.  No  man  was  more 
thoroughly  set  for  the  defence  of  the  gospel. 

This  glorious  work  of  God,  which  nad  effected  such  a 
wonderful  reformation  of  manners  through  the  country,  was 
marred  and  greatly  injured  by  many  imprudences  and  ir- 
regularities ;  and  was  most  violently  opposed  by  ministers, 
by  magistrates,  by  cruel  and  persecuting  laws,  by  re- 
proach, and  misrepresentation,  and  all  other  ways  and 
means  which  its  adversaries  could  invent. 

Many  lay  exhorters  sprang  up  among  the  people,  espe- 
cially in  the  counties  of  New-London  and  Windham ;  and 
among  some,  there  appeared  an  inclination  to  follow  im- 
pulses, and  a  pretence  to  know  the  state  of  men's  souls ; 
who  were  converted,  and  who  were  not. 

At  the  same  time,  there  was  a  Mr.  James  Davenport,  ot 
iSouthhold,  on  Long-Island,  who  had  been  esteemed  a  pious, 
sound,  and  faithful  minister,  but  now  became  zealoiis  be- 
yond measure  ;  made  a  visit  to  Connecticut,  and  preached 
in  New-Haven,  Branford,  Stonington,  and  various  other 
places  ;  and  went  on  as  far  as  Boston.  He  ga\  e  an  unre- 
t;trained  liberty  to  nois3  and  outcry,  both  of  distress  and 
joy,  in  time  of  divine  service.  He  promoted  both  with  all 
iiis  might,  raising  his  voice  to  the  highest  ^itch,  togetheji' 
xvl'h  the  most  violent  agitations  of  body.    With  4^3  uppae- 


'I'lin   work 
injured  by 
•tisorders 
und  impru' 
dencAe, 
nnd  vio- 
h  nlly  op- 


Mr.Dav- 
•■' f  I  port's 
'niprii- 
df'jice  and 


(HAP.   Vfll. 


CONNECTICUT. 


161 


nnl  a»i<l  violrnt  agitations  of  the  hody,  ho  iinitoil  a  sfmngo  Book  II. 
«ingiiin  tonr  which  mightily  tended  to  raise  the  t'ecjint^s  s^'n'^^ 
ol  weak  and  uodiscerning  (wonle,  and  ronserjiienlly  to    ITJU 
ii('jt;h(en  the  confusion  among  the  paH«tionate  o/  his  hear- 
rr*.     This  o<ld,  disagreeable  tuning  of  the  voice,  in  e\er- 
ri^rs  of  devotion,  was  caught  by  the  zealous  exiiortcrs, 
and  became  a  characteriijtic  of  the  separate  preachers. 
The  whole  sect  were  distinguished  by  this  sanctimonious 
tone.     It  was  Mr.  Davenport's  manner,  when  a  number 
had  cried  out,  andihere  had  been  great  agitations  of  body, 
to  pronounce  them  tokens  of  divine  favour;  and  what  was 
sill!  worse,  he  would  declare  those  jiersons  who  were  the 
subjects  of  those  outcries  and  agitations,  to  be  converted  ; 
or  that  they  had  come  to  Christ;  which  ivcre  gross  and 
dangerous  errors.     Bodily  agitations  and  outcries  were  no 
pvioences  of  grace.     He  was  further,  the  great  encourager, 
if  not  the  first  setter  un  of  public  cxhortcrs,  not  restrict- 
ing them  according  to  the  gospel  rule  of  brotherly  exhor- 
tation ;  but  encouraging  any  who  were  reputed  to  be  lively, 
zealous  christians,  to  exhort  publicly  in  full  assemblies, 
with  ministerial  assurance  and  authority,  though  altogether 
raw  and  unskilful  in  the   word  of  righteousness.     What 
had  still   a   more  mischievous  influence  than  all  the  rest, 
was  his  undertaking  to  examine  his  brethren  in  the  minis- 
try, as  to  their  spiritual  state,  and  publicly  to  decide  con- 
cerning them)  whether  they  were  converted  or  unconvert- 
ed.    Some,  whom  he  had  privately  examined,  and  to  all 
appearance,  men  of  as  much  grace  as  himself,  he  woiild  iiv 
his  public  prayers  pronounce  unconverted.     Such  as  re- 
fused to  be  examined  by  him,  were  certain  to  be  denounc- 
ed, as  either  unconverted,  or  in  a  very  doubtful  condition.  ' 
Thus,  disorder,  jealousy  and  confusion,  were  sown  in  the 
churches.     He  represented  it  as  a  dreadful  thing  to  hear 
unconverted  ministers;  that  their  preaching  was  worse 
than  poison;  and  he  warned  the  people  against  it. 

His  brethren  remonstrated  agamst  these  wild  measures, 
and  represented  to  him,  that  he  must  be  under  the  influ- 
ence of  a  wrong  spirit ;  but  he  persisted  in  his  measures. 
At  Charlestown,  in  Massachusetts,  he  withdrew  from  the 
communion,  on  the  Lord's  day,  pretending  that  he  had 
scruples  as  to  the  conversion  of  the  minister.  The  Boston 
ministers  disapproved  of  his  conduct,  and  rejected  him. 
He  was  complained  of,  and  brought  before  the  general 
court  of  Massachusetts,  and  was  dismissed  as  not  being  of 
a  sound  mind. 

His  conduct  had  a  pernicious  influence  on  the  people, 
ajid  seetns  to  have  given  rise  to  many  errors  ivhich  sprang 


J6f 


ni.^roRv  iti- 


Chap.  \i\y. 


m 
If.. 


M 


I 


f 


MooK  II.  ii|t  III  iltf  '  linn  hrs  about  llii-  lim'',  and  to  have  l»rrn  ip. 
\^'>r^^  sin'tiiriititl  ill  lli«-  xcpiiriiiioiM  wliii  li  mkhi  look  plaic  in  soy. 
171'.'.    n.«l«>rilii'  (ln.'tJH'S,  hikI  t^iivr  u,n'al  <m  <  asion  of  .s(  aii'liU 
«n   llir   rtirmies   of  tin-  nvivjil.     Iu\<ry   ihiiij;    wa.i  sikI 
»«|»n.:H  liliil  ol  it,  whirii   its  ciMnii«'>   roulcj  invciii.     li) 
'Mtiiir  \t  uas  iMinerl  a  •iisteniprr,  uiii(  h  aflccted  th(  niiiK' 
;iin!(illr(l  ii  wiih  unncrrssary  (njiirciii  ami  ^loonuiit'f»J» ;  l.v 
•  tliicis  il  was  trnmKl  ihv  work  of  ih»'  lit'vil ;  by  othors,  mi.i" 
kcriMii,  niiliusiasm,  aiitiiioniianiHni  and  distraction.     Th* 
/faioiis  <  x|MriiiK'ntal  rhriHiiaiih    wvrv  Ivvmcd  new  ligi,t.y 
lojjowin^  an /j(h/.v /)//«»<;',  wlii«;li  woultf  lead  ihom  to  dtt 
miction. 

Soiiu'  of  ihr  lending  niinihtrrs  in  llie  colony,  wore  mos» 
iiiMcr  ciinnics  to  tlic  revival,  and  to  their  brethren  who 
\\(;vv  instrumental  in  promoting  it.  This  was  the  case  h 
'general  with  the  magisii«at«'s  and  principal  gentk-mcii  ii 
the  commonwealth.  They  employed  all  their  art  arui 
I  lower  to  suppress  it,  and  to  keep  all  zealous  minister?;, 
who  favouH'tl  the  work,  as  far  as  possible  out  of  the  colo- 
ny, and  to  confine  all  the  aealous  preachers  of  the  doc 
nines  of  the  reformation  to  their  own  pulpits. 

Governor  Talcott,  who  called  those  days,  times  of  re- 
freshing, was  now  no  more ;  and  Jonathan  Law,  Esq,  ',t 
gentleman  of  a  diflerent  character,  was  chosen  governor. 
Under  his  administration,  a  number  of  severe  and  perse- 
cuting laws  were  enacted,  and  the  laws  which  hud  been 
enacted  in  favor  of  sober  consciences  were  repealed. 

In  May,  174'2,  the  General  AssemJjIy  passed  the  follow- 
ing act,  prefaced. in  the  following  manner  : 

"  Whereas,  this  asseujbly  did  by  their  act,  made  in  the 
'^Tay  1742.  27th  year  of  queen  Anne,  establish  and  confirm  a  confes- 
sion of  faith,  and  an  agreement  for  ecclesiastical  disci- 
J)line,  made  at  Say  brook.  Anno  Domini,  1708,  by  the 
lev.  elders  and  messengers  delegated  by  the  churches  in 
this  colony,  for  that  purpose  ;  under  which  establishment, 
Jiis  majesty's  subjects  inhabiting  in  this  colony,  have  en- 
joyed great  peace  and  quietness,  'till  of  late,  sundry  per- 
sons have  been  guilty  of  disorderly  and  irregular  prac- 
tices, whereupon  this  assembly  did  direct  to  the  calling  of 
a  general  consociation,  at  Guilford,  in  November  last, 
which  sail!  consociation  was  convened  accordingly :  at 
which  convenlioa,  it  was  endeavoured  to  prevent  the; 
growing  disorders  among  the  ministers  that  have  been  or- 
dained, or  licensed  by  the  associations  in  the  government 
to  preach,  and  likewise  to  prevent  divisions  and  disorders 
among  the  churches,  and  ecclesiastical  societies,  settkd  bj 
order  of  this  assembly  : 


licul  law, 


rnsv.  Vlll. 


roNNKCTK  IT. 


im 


••  No!with"<inn«lif»i;   whith,  divers    of  flir  miiiixtrrs  or- Hi)«»k  11. 
fl.iin<'<l  »H  afori'sai*!.  ;iii(l  othpis  li(  cnsrd  to  |>r«;u  li  Ity  >(mn«  v^'v^^ 
,,f  fhp  asHfK-jiitioiiH  iillowcil  by  lau.  hav«>  lakentipuii  ihcni,  Mov^  I7!>- 
nithoiil  any  lawl'ni  call,  to  go  into  pariNlu-s,  iintnrdialciy 
tindrr  the  caro  of  other  inifiisfrr?*,  and  liicre  to  |irfarli  to 
ntid  Ifii'h  the  jK'opJo  ;  and  aUo  sundry   person-*,  who  ai«' 
very  illitemte,  and  have   no   e(  i  Icsiastic  a!  (haracti'r,  or 
iiiy  authorHy  whatsoever  to  nrearh  or  leach,  have  taken 
it  upon  them  publirly  to  tea<h  and  exhort  the  |)e()ple,  in 
fiiatlers  of  religion,  both  as  to  (to<  trine  and  practice  ;  which 
practices   have  a  tendency  to  make  divisions  and  conlen- 
lions  among  the  people  in  this  colony,  in»d  to  destroy  the 
<;cclesiastical  constitution  est  iblished   t)y  the  laws  of  this 
government,  and  also  to  hitider  the  growtli  and  increase  of 
vital  piety  and  godliness  in  the  churches;  and  also  to  in- 
troduce unqualilied  persons  into  the  mini  .try  ;  and  more 
rspecially  where  one  association,  doth  intermeddle  villi 
the  affairs,  that  by  the  platform  and  agreement  above  said, 
made  at  Saybrook,  aforesaid,  are  proji^rly  withiti  the  pro- 
vince and  jurisdiction  of  another  association,  as  to  the  ]• 
censing  persons  to  preach,  and  ordaining  ministers  :  there- 
fore, 

"1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  goverrwr,  council  and  repre- 
tcntatives  in  general  court  assembled,  and  by  the  authori- 
ty of  the  same,  that  if  any  ordained  minister,  or  any  other 
person  licensed  as  aforesaid,  to  preach,  shall  enter  into 
any  parish  not  immediately  under  his  charge,  and  shall 
(here  preach  and  exhort  the  people,  he  shall  be  <lenied 
and  excluded  the  Ijencfit  of  any  law  of  this  colony,  made 
for  the  support  and  encouragement  of  the  gospel  ministry, 
except  such  ordained  minister,  or  licensed  person,  shall 
be  expressly  invited  and  desired  to  enter  into  such  parish, 
jknd  there  to  preach  and  exhort  the  people,  by  the  settletl 
minister,  and  the  major  part  of  the  church  and  society 
within  such  parish. 

"  2.  And  it  is  further  enacted  by  the  authority  afore- 
said, that  if  any  association  of  ministers  shall  under  a  ko  to 
examine  or  license  any  candidate  for  the  gospel  ministry, 
or  assume  to  themselves  the  decision  of  any  controversy, 
or  as  an  association  counsel  and  advise  in  any  atfair  that, 
by  the  platform,  or  agreement  above  mentiored,  made  at 
Saybrook,  aforesaid,  is  properly  within  the  province  and 
jurisdiction  of  another  association,  then  and  in  such  case, 
every  member  that  shall  be  present  in  such  association  so 
licensing,  deciding  or  counselling,  shall  be  each  and  every 
one  of  them,  denied  and  excluded  the  benefit  of  any  law  in 
this  colony,  for  tjie  encouragement  and  support  of  the  gos- 
pel mjuistry," 


r.-a 


•^ 


•■^*!^; 


104 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  VIU. 


Book  II.  •  .3.  And  it  is  furthrr  enacted,  by  the  authority  afore, 
said,  Thut  if  any  minister,  or  ministers,  contrary  to  the 
tnie  intent  and  meaning  of  this  act,  shall  presume  to  preach 
in  any  parish,  not  under  his  immediate  care  and  charge, 
the  mmister  of  the  parish  where  he  shall  so  ofi'end,*  or  the 
civil  authority,  or  any  of  the  committee  of  said  parish, 
hhall  give  information  thereof,  in  writing,  under  their 
hands,  to  the  clerk  of  the  society  or  parish  where  such  of- 
fending  minister  doth  belong,  which  clerk  shall  receive 
such  information,  an4  lodge  and  keep  the  same  on  file,  in 
his  office,  and  no  assistant  or  justice  of  the  peace,  in  this 
colony,  shall  sign  any  warrant  for  the  collecting  any  min- 
ister's rate,  without  first  receiving  a  certificate  from  the 
clerk  of  the  society,  or  parish,  where  such  rate  is  to  be 
collected,  that  no  such  information  as  is  above  mention- 
ed, hath  been  received  by  him,  or  lodged  in  his  office. 

"  4.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  authority  afore- 
said, that  if  any  person  whatsoever,  th&t  is  not  a  settled 
or  ordained  minister,  shall  go  into  any  parish,  without  the 
express  desire  and  invitation  of  the  settled  minister  of  such 
parish,  if  any  there  be,  and  the  major  part  of  the  church 
and  congregation  within  such  parish,  and  publicly  teacn  and 
exhort  the  people,  shall,  for  every  such  offence,  upon  com- 
plaint made  thereof  to  any  assistant  or  justice  of  the  peace, 
be  bound  to  his  peaceable  and  good  behaviour,  until  the 
next  county  court  in  that  county  where  the  offisnce  shall 
be  committed,  by  said  assistant  or  justice  of  the  peace,  in 
the  penal  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds  lawful  money,  that 
he  or  they  will  not  offend  again  in  the  like  kind;  and  the 
said  county  court  may,  if  they  see  meet,  further  bind  the 
«aid  person  or  persons,  offending  as  aforesaid,  to  their 
peaceable  and  good  behaviour,  during  the  pleasure  of  the 
court. 

"  5.  And  it  is  further  enacted,  by  the  authority  aforesaid, 
That  if  any  foreigner  or  stranger,  that  is  not  an  inhabitant 
of  this  colony,  including  as  well  «uch  persons  as  have  no 
ecclesiastical  character,  or  license  to  preach,  or  such  as 
liave  received  ordination  or  license  to  preach,  by  any  as- 
sociation or  presbytery,  shall  presume  to  preach,  teach,  or 
p'oblicly  exhort,  in  any  town  ot  society  within  this  colony, 
"without  the  desire  and  license  of  the  settled  minister,  and 
the  major  part  of  the  church  of  such  town  and  society,  or  at 
the  call  and  desire  of  the  church  and  inhabitants  of  such 
town  or  society,  provided  that  it  so  happen  that  there  be 
no  settled  minister  there,  that  evjpry  such  preacher,  teacher, 
or  exhorter,  shall  be  sent,  as  a  vagrant  person,  by  warrant 


^*i-ji  ■ 


Chap.  VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


ir>5 

tabic  Door  II. 


from  any  assistant  or  justice  of  the  peace,  from  cons 
10  constable,  out  of  the  ^Munds  of  this  colony."* 

What  ministers  composed  the  general  as.sociation  at  17 IJ. 
Guilford,  cannot  "be  known,  as  there  is  not  the  least  min- 
ute of  any  such  council  on  the  records  of  the  general  as- 
sociation, nor  is  there  any  intimation  of  the  result  or  do- 
ings of  it,  any  further  than  what  is  found  in  the  preamble 
to  this  extraordinary  act,  and  in  references  to  it,  by  asso- 
ciations and  consociations  afterwards.  But  it  undoubtedly 
gave  countenance  to  this,  and  other  violent  measuris, 
adopted  and  pursued  by  the  legislature  ;  and  was  a  con-  Ob!«>rva. 
certed  plan  of  the  old  lights,  or  Arminians,  both  amon^  <■'*"*  •"• 
the  clergy  and  civilians,  to  suppress,  as  far  as  possible,  ail  '**  ''^' 
the  zealous  and  Calvinistic  preachers ;  to  confine  them  en- 
tirely to  their  own  pulpits ;  and,  2t  the  same  time,  to  put 
all  the  public  odium  and  reproach  possible  upon  them,  as 
wicked,  disorderly  men,  unfit  to  enjoy  the  common  rights 
of  citizens.  The  law  was  an  outrage  to  every  principle 
of  justice,  and  to  the  most  inherent  and  valuable  rights  of 
the  subject.  It  was  a  palpable  contradiction,  and  gross 
violation,  of  the  Connecticut  bill  of  rights.  It  dishonour- 
ed the  servant  of  God,  stained  his  good  name,  and  depri- 
ved him  of  all  the  temporal  emoluments  of  his  profession, 
without  judge  (h*  jury,  without  hearing  him,  or  knowing 
what  evil  he  had  done*  It  put  it  into  the  hands  of  enemies 
and  malicious  persons,  to  undo  innocent  men.  If  the  cer- 
tificate lodged  were  ever  so  false,  there  was  no  redress. 
In  other  cases,  civil  and  criminal,  an  appeal  is  alloAvcd ; 
but  here,  in  a  case  of  great  mngnitude,  in  which  character, 
and  a  man's  whole  temporal  living  was  at  stake,  there 
was  no  redress.  Further,  it  was  believed  by  many,  that 
this  law  was  an  invasion  of  the  rights  of  heaven,  and  in- 
compatible with  the  command,  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and 

*  Records  of  Connecticut,  May,  1742.  This  extraordinanr  act,  in  part, 
at  least,  had  its  origin  in  the  consociation  of  New-Haven  County,  as  ap- 
pears from  the  instructions  which  they  gave  to  their  delegates,  whom  they 
sent  to  the  Guilford  council,  which  were  suggested  first  by  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Whittelsey,  of  Wallingfor^.  How  perfectljjr  it  corresponded  with  their 
opinions  and  feelings,  is  fully  exhibited  in  their  address  to  the  General  As* 
sembly,  the  October  followiogi  an  extract  from  which  m  as  follows : — "  To 
the  Hon.  General  Assembly,  &c.  convened  at  Mew-Haven,  October  14th, 
1742. — May  it  please  this  honourable  assembly,  to  permit  us,  the  Associa- 
tion of  the  coun|^  of  New-Haven,  regularly  convened  in  the  first  society 
in  Wallingford,  Mpt.  38th,  1742,  to  lay  before  you  our  grateful  sense  of 
the  goodness  of  the  General  Assembly^  Sffay  last,  in  so  caring  for  our  re- 
ligious interests,  and  ecclesiastical  conMpution  ;  and  our  just  apprehensions 
of  their  wisdom,  in  making  the  statute,  entitled,  An  act  for  the  regulating 
abuMs,  and  correcting  disorders,  in  ecclesiastical  affairs ;  and  pray  that  it 
maynbiie  continued  in  force :  being  satisfied  that  it  bath  already  been,  igi 
good  measure,  serviceable,  and  persuaded  that  it  will  be  more  so,^*  Sec. 


1C6 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  VTM. 


M 


Book  II.  preach  the  gos])cl  to  every  crealwe.*  I  charge  thee,  ihere- 
v-^-v-^,  foiv,  before  God,  and  the  LonJ  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall 
1742.  j"<Jgc  the  quick  and  the  dead,  athis  appearing  and  king- 
dom, preach  the  word ;  be  instunt  in  season,  and  out  of  sea- 
son.! In  obedience  to  these  commands,  the  primitive 
preachers  went  every  where,  preaching  the  word.f  They 
regarded  no  parochial  limits,  and  when  high  priests  anil 
magistrates  forbade  their  preaching,  they  answered,  Whe- 
ther it  be  right  in  the  sight  of  God,  to  hearken  unto  you, 
more  than  unto  God,  judge  ye ;  for  we  cannot  but  speak 
the  things  which  we  have  seen  and  heard.§  What  right 
could  one  minister  have  to  shut  another  out  of  his  pulpit 
or  society,  whom  he  owned  as  a  brother ;  to  whom  he  had 
given  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  whom  he  could  not 
accuse  either  of  false  doctrine  or  immoral  conduct  ? 

It  may  be  further  observed,  that  this  law  was  contrary  to 
the  opinion  and  practice  of  ail  the  refonners  and  puritans. 
The  reformers  all  preached  within  the  parishes  and  bish- 
opricks  of  the  Roman  catholics,  and  by  this  means,  under 
the  Divine  Providence,  effected  the  reformation.  It  never 
could  have  been  effected  without  it.  The  puritans  preach- 
ed within  the  parishes  of  the  church  of  England,  and  judg- 
ed it  their  indispensable  duty  'o  preach  the  gospel,  when 
and  wherever  they  had  an  oppoi  tunity.  They  did  it  zeal- 
ously and  faithfully,  though  exposed  to  fines,  imprison- 
ment, and  loss  of  living.  Even  in  Connecticut,  the  epis- 
copalians were  allowed  to  preach  and  collect  hearers,  and 
erect  churches,  in  any  of  the  ecclesiastical  societies,  in  op- 
position to  the  established  ministers  and  churches.  The 
baptists  were  also  allowed  to  do  the  same.  The  law  was 
therefore  partial,  inconsistent,  and  highly  persecuting.  It 
manifested,  in  a  strong  point  of  light,  the  exceeding  hatred, 
rancour  and  opposition  of  heart,  which  there  was  in  the 
Arminians  and  old  lights,  to  the  work  of  God,  and  all  the 
zealous  and  faithful  promoters  of  it.  It  was  an  occasion  of 
a  great  and  fixed  disaffection  between  the  different  classes 
of  ministers,  and  between  many  of  the  religious  people 
and  the  legislature.  Instead  of  preserving  the  peace  and 
order  of  the  churches,  it  was  a  means  of  separation  and 
division.  It  could  have  no  good  effect :  law  opposed  to 
enthusiasm,  is  only  like  heaping  fuel  upon  the  fire  to 
quench  it.  With  respect  to  gQod  people,  who  are  govern- 
ed by  the  love  and  fear  of  God,  and  the  sober  dictates  of 
reason,  though  they  honoi^he  civil  magistrate,  and  sub- 
mit to  the  laws,  as  far  as  they  can  with  a  good  conscience, 


*  Mark  ?vi.  15. 


taTim.iv.  1,2. 
{  AiCts  iv.  19,  30. 


I  Acts  v%  4. 


t^HAP.  VIH. 


CONNECTICUT. 


167 


leans,  under 


i,  imprison- 


Tct  they  will  regard  God  rather  than  man.  When  theyBo,iKlF. 
arc  fully  persuaded  that  it  is  necessary,  for  their  own  cdi-  s^-v/-"^i^ 
lication  and  salvation,  and  the  safety  of  their  children,  to 
adopt  a  mode  of  w'orship,  and  to  hear  a  kind  of  preaching, 
didcring  from  that  which  any  civil  establishment  enjoins, 
they  will  depart  from  it  so  far,  as  to  worship  God  agreeably 
to  the  sober  dictates  of  their  consciences.  This,  the  prac- 
tice of  the  primitive  christians,  of  the  reformers,  of  the 
puritans,  and  of  good  people  in  all  ages,  has  witnessed. 
With  respect  to  enthusiasts,  mild  measures,  kind  and  chris- 
tian treatment,  have  always  succeeded  the  best. 

There  were  a  variety  of  things,  at  the  election,  and  May 
session,  this  year,  calculated  to  divide  and  irritate  the  re- 
ligious parties,  in  the  colony,  more  and  more,  at  a  time 
when  all  conciliatory  measures  ought  to  have  been  adopt- 
ed. ; 

The  preacher  at  tlie  election,  was  the  Rev.  Isaac  Stiles, 
of  North-Haven.  He  was  a  most  l^itter  enemy  to  the 
work  which  God  had  been,  and  was  carrying  on  in  the 
land,  and  to  all  the  instruments  of  it.  He  gave  himself 
great  liberty  to  reproach  them.  He  compared  them  to 
JVill  loith  his  msp  and  Jack  with  his  lanthorn,  and  pointed 
the  artillery  of  heaven,  in  a  tremendous  manner,  against, 
them.  The  assembly  thanked  him  for  his  sermon,  and 
printed  it,  with  ail  the  reproach  and  abuse  of  his  breth- 
ren in  the  ministry,  aod  of  other  christians,  which  it  con- 
tained.* 

At  the  same  session,  a  complaint  was  exhibited  against  jyfr.  Da- 
Mr.  James  Davenport,  of  Southhold,  on  Long-Island,  that  venport 
he  had  convened  great  assemblies  at  Stratford,  and  that  he  ^^  ^'' 
and  others  had  committed  great  disorders :  against  Mr.  brou^h?'^ 
Benjamin  Pomeroy  also,  as  having  committed  great  disor-  before  the 
ders  with  him,  the  said  Davenport.     They  were  arrested,  assemblj . 
and  brought  before  the  assembly.     The  assembly  judged 
with  respect  to  Mr.  Davenport,  that  the  things  alleged,  the 
behaviour  and  conduct,  and  doctrme  advanced  by  him,  had 
a  tendency  to  disturb  a»d  destroy  die  peace  and  order  of 
this  government ;  yet,  that  it  further  appeared  to  the  as- 
sembly, that  the  said  Davenport  was  under  the  influence  of 
enthusiastic  impressions  and  impulses,  and  thereby  dis- 
turbed in  the  rational  faculties  of  his  mind,  and  therefore 
rather  to  be  pitied  and  compassionated,  than  to  be  treat- 
ed as  otherwise  he  might  be ;  and  the  assembly  considering 
that  the  settled  place  of  his  abode  is  in  the  town  of  South- 
hold,  on  Long-Island,  whereto  it  is  best  he  should  be  con- 

*  The  Rev.  Mr.  Williama,  of  Lebanon,  remarked  on  the  sermon,  that 
he  had  never  before  sWn  the  artillery  cf  heaven  »o  twrwd  agaiusi  itscJf., 


]«8 


HISTORY  01 


Chap.  VIII. 


1742. 

Mr.  Dav- 
en|N)rt 

Irun^port- 
ed  to  Lons  ^ 

hlanJ. 


Book  0.  vcvihI  :  llieicu|inn  it  was  ordered  by  the  afRembly,  that 
the  said  Davenport  be  forthwith  transported  out  of  this 
colony  to  Long-Island,  to  the  place  whence  he  came, 
wherein  he  is  settled ;  and  the  governor  and  council  are 
desired  to  take  effectual  care,  that  this  order  be  duly  exe- 
:uted.*  T'ic  decision  with  respect  to  Mr.  Pomeroy  was, 
that  the  evidence  produced  was  not  sufficient  to  make  out 
any  thing  material  against  him.  He  was  therefore  dismis- 
sed. 

Mr.  Pome  oy  was  treated  rudely  ;  resentment  and  malico 
apj>cared  i»'  flio  people  ;  an  attempt,  as  he  supposed,  was 
made  to  tluow  'lim  down  the  stairs  of  the  slate-house  ;  he 
was  pushed  off  from  one  side  of  the  stairway,  but  he  leaped 
across  to  the  other,  and  so  saved  himself. 

Sometime  after,  a  lecture  was  appointed  at  Colchester, 
for  Mr.  Pomeroy  to  preach.  Himself  and  Mr.  Little,  the 
pastor,  had  always  lived  in  harmony  ;  their  parishes  join- 
ed each  other.  Mr.  Pomeroy  went  from  home  supposing 
that  he  was  about  to  afford  him  brotherly  assistance,  and 
<o  oblijie  his  people  ;  but  entirely  contrary  to  his  expecta- 
tions, Mr.  Little,  either  fropi  his  own  private  feelings,  or 
from  the  influence  of  some  of  his  principal  hearers,  forbade 
his  going  into  the  meeting-house.  There  was  a  great  col- 
lection of  people,  from  Colchester,  and  the  neighbouring 
towns,  who  were  earnest  to  hear  the  word.  Mr.  Pomeroy, 
considering  that  many  saints  might  be  quickened,  strength- 
ened, and  comforted,  and  that  some  souls  might  possibly 
be  saved  from  death  by  his  preaching,  therefore  judged  ii 
his  indispensable  duty  to  preach.  Accordingly,  6e  retired 
a  little  from  the  meeting-house,  to  the  shade  of  a  grove,  and 
preached  to  a  very  numerous  and  attentive  auditory.  A 
cerlilicate  was  lodged  against  him,  and,  for  seven  years,  he 
was  deprived  of  his  stated  salary. 

It  was  now  a  very  critical  and  momentous  period  with 
the  churches  ;  for  while  the  spirit  of  God  wrought  power- 
fully, sataii  raged  maliciously,  and  playing  his  old  subtle- 
ties, by  transforming  himself  into  an  angel  of  light,  deceiv- 
ed many.  There  appeared  however  many  bad  things  in 
the  good  work.  There  was  a  false,  as  well  as  a  good  spir- 
it among  the  people,  and  a  disposition  to  make  religion 
consist  in  crying  out,  in  bodily  agitations,  in  great  fears 
and  joys,  in  zeal  and  talk,  which  were  no  evidences  of  it. 
When  ministers  in  faithfulness  pointed  out  their  errors  and 
false  notions,  and  showed  them  clearly  in  what  true  reli- 
gion consisted,  and  pressed  it  upon  them  to  be  followers  of 
God,  as  dear  children,  they  were,  numbers  of  them,  diso- 
*  Records  of  the  colony.  . 


Erlpors  of 
the  sepa- 
rates. 


r^HAP.  viil. 


CONNECTldtJT. 


i&6 


nbly,  that 
ut  of  this 

he  came, 
nuncil  arc 

duly  exe- 
leroy  was, 

make  out 
ire  dismis- 


)erio<i  with 
ght  power- 
old  subtle- 
;ht,  deceiv- 
1  things  in 
good  spir- 
ke  religion 
great  fears 
ences  of  it. 
errors  and 
it  true  reli- 
bllowers  of 
hem,  cliso- 


Mi(jrd,  and-prctcndod  that  the  ministers*  preaching  had  a  Book  II. 
If  ndcncy  to  qunich  the  spirit :  they  pleaded  for  the  indul-  v-^^s^--^/ 
^rnrc  of  their  inward  frames,  in  noise  and  outcry,  without  1742. 
restraint.  They  pretended  that  the  power  of  godliness 
lay,  or  appeared,  in  such  outcries  and  bodily  motions,  or 
visible  tokens,  and  consequently,  that  to  correct  them  was 
to  deny  the  power  of  the  holy  Spirit,  and  to  grieve  him. 
They  said,  let  the  Lord  carry  on  his  own  work  in  his  own 
way.  The  zealous  private  brethren  maintained,  that  it 
was  right  for  them  to  exercise  their  gifts  in  public,  as  the 
spirit  moved  them,  whether  by  exhorting,  expounding  sTip- 
ture,  praying  or  preaching,  as  they  felt  themselves  impres- 
sed ;  and  they  declared,  that  they  had  rather  hear  their  ex- 
horters  exercise  their  gifts,  than  hear  their  ministers,  and 
that  more  souls  were  converted  under  their  Exertions,  than 
ui.  Jer  those  of  the  ministers. 

If  an  honest  man  doubted  of  his  conversion,  and  only  ^"Z*"  *"'* 
said,  he  did  not  know  that  he  had  faith,  he  was  upon  that  {"the" 
declared  to  be  unconverted.  churches. 

If  a  person  were  filled  with  great  joy,  he  was  declared  to 
be  convertedj  and  a  child  of  God  ;  making  no  distinction 
between  a  mere  selfish  joy,  and  joy  in  God  ;  between  the 
Joy  of  the  hypocrite,  and  that  of  the  true  christian. 

They  hela  a  certain  knowledge  of  christians,  not  so 
much  by  external  evidence,  as  by  inward  feeling,  or  fellow- 
ship, as  they  called  it. 

Sometimes  they  pretended  to  have  a  witness  of  the  con- 
version of  others,  who  now  Were  in  a  state  of  sin ;  or  they 
had  faith  given  them  to  believe,  that  such  a  person  would 
be  converted. 

They  paid  a  great  regard  to  visions,  or  trances.  In 
these,  some  would  lie  for  hours ;  and  on  their  coming  to> 
themselves,  would  tell  of  wonderful  things ;  that  they  had 
seen  heaven,  or  hell,  and  such  and  such  persons,  if  dead, 
there,  or  if  alive,  going  to  one  or  other  of  those  places. 

In  their  religious  conduct,  they  were  influenced  rather 
by  inward  impressions,  than  by  the  plain  word  of  God,  or  ''■ 
the  manifest  intimations  of  Providence.     Neither  ministe- 
rial advice,  nor  parental  counsel,  nor  th«''ir  obligations  to 
ielati\^e  duties,  were  of  any  weight  with-  thein,  in  compari-      ^- 
son  with  impressions. 

They  laid  great  weight  upon  their  lively  imaginations) 
or  views  of  an  outward  Christ,  or  of  Christ  without  them, 

hether  they  had  a  view  of  him  in  heaven,  on  a  throne  sur- 
rounded by  adoring  angels,  or  on  a  cross,  suffering,  bleed- 
ing, dying,  and  tne  Ifltc.  Some  looked  opthis  as  a  pre- 
'ious, '•avmff  di<?rovcrv  of  Christ.      •       ^ 

W 


r.  ii 


Wm^^ 


170 


insTORY  or 


CnAf.  Vllf, 


iJiffciTtK:^ 
betv>f:c;n 
the  people 
who  separ- 
att'd  from 
tlie  church- 
es, aiJfl 
those   who 
did  not. 


The}  ;  ui)  :  lined,  that,  if  they  diJ  not  frc  la  minister'- 
jircachin^,  h'  was  oilhcr  iinronvt-rtrd,  (tr  l«.';;.il  anrl  flcad : 
or,  to  1)0  suns  he  did  not  prcarh  Christ  with  power.  Thpv 
would  hear  nore  of  tho  standing  ministers  preach,  unlcs- 
such  as  they  called  converted,  lively,  and  powerful  preath- 

They  lhoiii!;ht  litijhtly  of  those  public  mfMtirig!^  Uifl  ex- 
ercises, in  wiich  tncre  was  no  vi,sil)le  giciu  i-tir,  or  o(Mra 
tionsaujong  f:ie  people.     They  would  C(min»<;!-y  say  'hcif 
was  iii>';iiiig  oithc  power  of  religion. 

These  were  some  of  Mic  orron  whicls  j  cev-Aiied.  UiA  fi 
nail}  tcrminaf»  d  in  separrlions  from  the  ttainJing  minis 
(crs  and  churciie  -. 

There  was  a  icj^inrkable  aaughtirtess  and  self-suiFicion- 
cy,  and  a  fierce  and  bitter  spirit  and  zeal,  a  censorio  i% 
Jiej^s  and  impatience  of  instruction  aiKl  reproof,  maiu(<;st 
among  these  people,  and  especially  amoitg  tlioir  exhoii- 
rs.  Instead  of  loving  aiKl  cleaving  iu  the  ?r,?nist{  •. ,  who 
bad  been  their  spu  itual  Aithers,  and  to  the  ohuiches,  which 
hnd  hrfui  theis  mother^s  house,  in  which  they  had  been 
rv>r»r(  i\crJ,  it  they  were  indeed  born  of  God,  they  weir 
stra,)  'tly  alienated  from  them* 

This  spii  it  and  these  errors  were  not  getreral ;  in-  ftios> 
of  the  churches  in  the  colony  there  tv;is  nothing  of  it,  or 
the  instances  of  it  were  very  rare.  There  was  not,  so  far 
as  I  can  find,  one  minister  in  the  colony  who  favoured  any 
of  these  errors,  but  they  universally  Ofjposcd  them,  hi 
most  of  (he  churches  where  the  work  had  been  remarka- 
ble, their  ministers  were  greatly  beloved  ;  the  brethrct: 
walked  together  in  great  harmony,  and  brotherly  love. 
They,  instead  of  being  offended  at  close  preatcfaing,  and  at 
being  searched  to  the  bottom,  relished  aod  applauded  it. 
The  more  close  and  discriminating  the  preaching  was,  the 
better  it  was  received.  The  ministers,  and  good  peopk 
in  general,  considered  bodily  motions,  extacies,  and  imag- 
inations of  outward  views  of  Christ,  as  no  kind  of  evidence 
of  a  gracious  state,  or  of  any  saving  views  of  a  Redeemer. 
Thus  different  were  the  principles,  views  and  feelings,  ot 
the  two  sorts  of  christians.  The  one,  were  humble,  do- 
cile, and  willing  to  come  to  the  light,  that  their  works  might 
manifest  that  they  were  wrought  in  God.  They,  like  the 
primitive  christians,  continued  stedfast  in  the  apostles' 
doctrine  and  fellowship,  and  in  breaking  of  bread  togeth- 
er. The  other  were  haughty,  bitter,  censorious  ;  disaf 
fected  to  their  teachers  ;  disowned  the  churches  with  which 
they  had  covenanted  ;  and  treated  their  brethren  rather 
as  the  worshippers  of  satan,  than  as  the  followers  of  Christ. 


len; 
respect 
out  reg{ 
and  bn 
separati 
churche 
They 
standint 
Christ : 


'hap.  vin, 

^  minister'- 
I  arul  dead 
>wer.  Tlioj 
rich,  unlos- 
iful  provtth- 

ig!^  arifl  ex- 
r,  or  «M«ra 
jLy  say  'heir 

jiicd.  'iJiJ  fi 
[Kling  minis 

ielf-suiFicion- 

i  cenHorio  i'-.- 
)of,  maruU.^t 
\\,nr  pxhoii- 
'nisti  •• ,  who 
iiches,  which 
ly  had  beeii 
►,  they  weir 

?ral ;  in-  ftiost 
ling  of  it,  or 
as  not,  so  far 
favoured  any 
;d  them.    In 
ecn  remarka- 
the  brethrei; 
otherly  love, 
tching,  and  at 
applauded  it, 
;hing  was,  the 
good  people 
es,  and  imag- 
id  of  evidence 
a  Redeemer. 
id  feelings,  ot 
;  humble,  do- 
r  works  migh; 
.^hey,  like  the 
the  apostles' 
bread  togelh- 
orious ;  disaf 
les  with  which 
■ethren  rather 
ers  of  Christ. 


Chap.  VIH. 


CONNECTICUT. 


)7I 


This  fanatical  spirit  prevailed  principally  in  tho  roua-  Rook  11. 
ties  of  New- London   and  Wimihum.      There  was    aUos.^"~v-^y 
somolhing  of  the  same  spirit  in  the  county  of  Hartford,  in    1712. 
ihc  towns  of  Windsor,  of  Sulfield,  and  in  Middlrtown. 
a'hc  separations  began,  and  principally  prevailed  in  these 
counties. 

In  Stonington,  there  was  an  early  and  large  separa- 
tion, especially  from  the  church  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
the  Rev.  Mt.  Fish.  Perceiving  the  erroi"s  of  his  people, 
and  sensible  that  many  of  them,  not  excepting  some  of  the 
members  of  his  church,  were  very  ignorant,  he  took  great 
pains  to  instruct  them,  in  private  as  well  as  public,  and  to 
convince  them  of  their  errors.  But  they  appeared  haugh- 
ty and  self-sufficient,  and,  in  their  own  opinion,  were  much 
wiser  than  their  teacher,  whom  they  treated  with  great 
abuse.  They  took  great  offence  at  a  sermon  he  preached 
from  Ephes.  v.  1.— Be  ye  therefore  followers  of  God,  as 
(Jear  children.  The  principal  design  of  the  sermon,  was 
to  show  what  is  was  to  follow  God,  or  in  what  true  reli- 
gion consisted,  which  was  the  same  thing.  It  was  observ- 
ed, that  following  God,  as  dear  children,  implied  mens' 
giving  themselves  wholly  to  him,  to  be  governed  by  his 
commands ;  that  it  implied  an  imitation  of  him  in  his  moral 
perfections,  &c.  It  was  insisted,  that  true  religion  con- 
sisted in  thus  following  God  ;  and  that  in  this  we  had  an 
infallible  rule  of  trial,  whether  we  were  God's  children  or 
not.  It  was  inferred,  that  true  religion  did  not  consist  m 
cxtacies,  in  crying  out  in  the  time  of  public  worship,  in 
powerful  impressions,  in  lively  imaginations,  or  visions  of 
a  bleeding  Saviour,  &:c. ;  that  though  the  saints  might 
have  these  things,  yet  that  they  were  no  evidences  of  a 
gracious  state.  On  this  the  house  was  filled  with  outcries 
against  the  preacher.  He  was  declared  to  be  an  opposer 
oif  the  work  of  God,  making  the  hearts  of  his  children  sad, 
and  strengthening  the  hands  of  the  wicked.  From  this 
time,  divisions  and  prejudices  sprang  up,  increased  and 
became  settled.  Disregarding  theiV  covenant  vpws,  which 
they  had  so  lately  entered  into  with  their  pastor  and  brelh- 
len  ;  without  taking  any  pains  to  reform  the  church,  with 
respect  to  those  things  they  conceived  to  be  amiss,  or  with- 
out regarding  the  pains  and  remonstrances  of  their  pastor 
and  brethren  to  dissuade  them ;  a  large  number  finally 
separated  themselves  from  this  and  all  the  standing 
churches. 

They  alledged  as  reasons  for  their  separation,  that  the  Reasons 
standing  churches  were  not  true  churches,  but  of  anti- j^"" '^para. 
Christ :    That  hypocrisy  wag  encouraged  in  them,  and  ■^*'°' 


I7i 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  VIU. 


atsocia- 
iion,  June 
15th,  lt42. 
Resolu- 


they  ronid  have  no  communion  wilh  liypocrites.  Thiv 
majnliiined  that  the  chunh  should  bo  pure,  undefilod  will, 
hypocrisy,  and  that  no  hypocrite  could  abide  with  thorn. 
Upon  this  principle,  the  separate  churches  set  out.  They 
publicly  professed  themselves  to  be  elected  of  God,  given 
to  Christ,  and  eflcctually  called,  and  as  such,  they  cove- 
nanted together.*  They  maintained  that  the  whole  pown 
of  ordination  was  in  the  church.  They  objected  againsi 
iheir  pastor  for  using  notes,  and  at  the  same  tiine,  prayini;; 
for  mssistance  in  preaching.  They  maintained  that  God 
had  redeemed  their  souls,  and  that  they  were  not  bound 
to  rites  and  forms,  but  had  liberty  to  worship  where  they 
thought  fit.  They  objected  that  there  was  not  that  liber- 
ty  in  the  standing  churches,  and  that  food  for  their  souls, 
which  they  foundin  the  meeting  of  the  brethren.  Pecause 
ministers  studied  their  sermons,  they  called  their  exer- 
cises, preaching  out  of  the  head,  and  declared  that  ihey 
could  not  be  edified  by  it.  They  maintained,  that  there 
was  no  need  of  any  thing  more  than  common  learning,  to 
qualify  men  for  the  ministry ;  that  if  a  man  had  the  spirit 
of  God,  it  was  no  matter  whether  he  had  any  learning  at 
all.  Indeed,  the  first  separatists  at  Stonington,  held  to  a 
special  revelation  of  some  facts,  or  future  events,  not  re- 
vealed in  the  scriptures.  They  elected  their  first  ministcV 
by  revelation.  In  less  than  one  year,  they  chose,  ordain- 
ed, silenced,  cast  him  out  of  the  church,  and  dejjveied  him 
up  to  saitan.t 

The  same  spirit  and  delusions  were  spreading  and  tak- 
ing deep  root,  in  some  of  the  neighbouring  towns,  Pres- 
ton, Lyme,  Norwich,  Canterbury,  Mrnsfield  and  Plain- 
field,  and  afterwards  terminated  in  large  separations,  and 
the  establishment  of  independent  churcnes. 

When  the  general  association  met  in  June,  at  New- 
London,  they  passed  the  several  resolutions  following  : 

"  This  general  association  being  of  opuiion,  that  the 
God  of  all  grape  has  been  mercifully  pleased  to  remember 
and  visit  his  people,  by  stirring  up  great  numbers  among 
us  to  a  concern  for  their  souls,  ana  to  be  asking  the  way  to 
Zion,  with  their  faces  thitherward,  which  we  desire  to 
take  notice  of  with  great  thankfulness  to  the  Father  of  mer- 
cies :  Bein^  also  of  the  opinion,  that  the  great  enemy  of 
souls,  who  IS  ever  ready  with  his  devices  to  check,  damp 
and  destroy  the  work  of  God,  is  very  busy  for  that  pur- 
pose :  we  think  it  our  duty  to  advise  and  intreat  the  minis-; 

♦  See  their  confession  of  faith  and  covenant,  pubBshed  by  the  cpmoria- 
4ion  of  Windham  Countj-.  '     .        •  jr  f,"      -  \   ..   ,     '"    '"  ^' 

'     t  Fish's  Sermons.  .  .       • 


1 


CHAf.  VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


171 


:rrs  and  t  hurchos  of  the  colony,  and  rorommcnd  it  to  ihr 
sfvcral  particular  as.sociations,  to  stand  wc>ll  upon  ihrir 
fuanU  in  huch  a  day  as  tlii.s,  that  no  dotrimrni  arise  to  the 
mtcrrst  of  our  great- Lord  and  niaster  Jesus  (Christ. 

"  Particularly,  that  no  errors  in  doctrihc,  w  heiher  from 
among  ourselves,  or  foreigners,  nor  disoitlers  in  prarlice, 
(Jo  get  in  among  us,  or  tares  be  sown  in  the  Lord\s  heltl. 

^'  That  8easonablc  and  due  testimony  be  borne  against 
suchtrrors  and  irregularities,  as  do  already  prevail  among 
some  persons  ;  as  particularly  the  depending  upon  and  fol- 
lowing impulses  ^nd  impressions  made  on  tlic  mind,  as 
though  they  were  immediate  revelations  of  some  truth  or 
duty,  that  is  not  revealed  in  the  word  of  God  :  Laying  too 
much  weight  on  bodiljr  agitations,  raptures,  cxtacies,  vis- 
ions, &ic.:  Ministers  disorderly  intruding  into  other  minis- 
ters parishes  :  Laymen  taking  it  upon  them,  in  an  un- 
warrantable manner,  publicly  to  teach  and  exhort :  Rash 
censuring  andjudging  of  others  :  That  the  elders  be  care- 
ful to  take  heed  to  themselves  and  doctrine,  that  they  may 
save  themselves,  and  those  that  hear  them :  That  tiiey  ap- 
prove themselves  in  all  things  as  the  ministers  of  God,  by 
honor  and  dishonor,  by  goocT report  and  evil  report :  That 
)ione  be  lifted  up  jiy  applause  to  a  vain  conceit,  nor  any 
be  cast  down  by  anv  contempt  thrown  upon  them,  to  the 
neglect  of  their  worK  ;  and  that  thpy  study  unity,  love  and 
peace  among  themselves. 

"  And  further,  that  they  endeavour  to  heal  the  unhappy 
divisions  that  are  already  made  in  some  of  the  churches, 
and  that  the  like  may  for  the  future  be  prevented : — That 
a  just  deference  be  paid  to  the  laws  of  trie  magistrate  late- 
ly made  to  suppress  disorders :  That  no  countenance  be 
given  to  such  as  trouble  our  churches,  who  are,  according 
to  the  constitution  of  our  churches,  under  censure,  sus- 
pension,  or  deposition,  for  errprs  in  doctrine  or  life." 

The  General  Assembly,  at  their  session  in  May,  with  a 
view  to  suppress  enthusiasm,  and  separations  by  sanction 
of  law,  repealed  the  act  made  for  the  rciief  of  sober  con- 
sciences, so  that  now  there  was  norelierfor  any  persons 
dissenting  from  the  established  mode  of  worship  in  Con- 
necticut, but  upon  application  to  the  assembly,  who  were 
growing  morp  rigid  in  enforcing  the  constitution.  The  act 
of  repeal,  gave  liberty  for  sober  dissenters  to  apply  to  the 
assembly  for  relief,  and  promised  that  they  should  be  hoard, 
and  that  such  persons  as  had  any  distinguishing  character 
by  which  they  might  be  known,  as  distintt  from  presby- 
tcrians  and  congregationalists,  might  expect  the  indul- 
gence of  the  assembly,  upon  their  tgiking  the  oatli^  and 


The  act 
made  fnv 
the  indul- 
gence of 
sober  con- 
sciences i« 
repealed- 
t743. 


IH 


IIISTOKY  OF 


^HAP.  VIM. 


I 


.*  ^*|! 


m 


,1'!  ,   ; 


.lohri  ()w- 
<-ii,  (•>  lie 
.«rrcstc'ii. 


0(.f.  i713. 


Book  II.  MiljMiibirig  the  fJfcJiirafion,  provided  by  the  act  ofparlin- 

v^"v^/  nif'iii,  in  cases  of  the  like  nature.* 
171.1.         >^t  ihe  same  session,  the  secretary  of  the  colony  was  or- 

TN  Kfv.  (leiT<l  to  issue  a  writ  to  the  sheriff  of  the  county  of  Nfw- 
London,  t<j  urn  st  the  Kcv.  John  Owen,  of  Oroton,  and 
brincj  him  before  the  assembly,  to  answer  for  uttering  hnnj 
.speeches,  scandalizing  the  laws  and  officers  of  the  gov- 
ertiment,  and  for  broaching  principles  tending  to  bring  the 
govcrrmient  into  contempt. 

When  the  assembly  met  in  October,  )u<lging  that  the  or- 
tifsiastical  law  against  foreigners  commg  into  the  colony, 
>vas  not  surticieiitly  severe,  they  further  enacted.  That  if 
any  person  that  is  a  foreigner,  or  stranger,  and  not  an  in- 
liabilant  of  this  colony,  shall  return  into  the  same  3gain, 
at  any  lime,  after  he  has  been,  by  order  of  authority,  trans- 
])orted  out  of  the  bounds  of  the  colony,  and  shall  preach, 
teach,  or  exhort,  in  any  town  or  society  in  this  colony,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  any  magistrate  or  justice  of  the  peace, 
who  shall  be  informed  of  it,  to  cause  such  person  to  be  ap- 
apprehended  and  brought  before  him ;  and  such  person, 
having  been  found  guilty,  shall  be  bound  in  the  penal  sum 
of  one  hundred  pounds,  lawful  money,  to  his  peaceable 
and  good  behaviour,  and  that  he  will  not  ofFena  again  in 
like  manner;  and  that  he  shall  pay  down  the  cost  of  his 
transportation  ;  and  that  the  county  court  may  further  bind 
iiiin  during  pleasure.! 

As  the  secretary  had  neglected  to  issue  his  writ  for  the 
arresting  of  Mr.  Jol:n  Owen,  until  just  before  the  session 
of  the  assembly,  and  until  after  he  was  gone  out  of  the 
colony,  so  that  he  had  not  been  arrested,  the  secretary  was 
now  ordered  to  arrest  him  and  bring  him  before  the  assem- 
bly, as  he  had  been  before  directed. 

The  secretary,  at  the  same  time,  was  required  to  arrest 
the  body  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Pomeroy,  clerjc,  of  Hebron, 
■wherever  he  might  be  found,  and  bring  him  before  the  as- 
sembly, to  answer  foi-  such  matters  and  things  as  are  ob- 
jected and  complained  of  against  him,  on  his  majesty's  be- 
half. ' 

The  legislature  not  only  enacted  these  severe  and  un- 
precedented laws,  but  they  proceeded  to  deprive  of  theii 
offices,  such  of  the  justices  of  the  peace  and  other  officers, 
as  were  new  lights,  as  they  were  called,  or  who  favouretl 
their  cause.  There  were  no  such  laws  in  any  of  the  other 
colonies,  nor  were  ihere  in  Great  Britain.  Many,  both 
ministers  and  people,  considered  them  as  invasions  of  the 
laws  oi  Christ,  as  well  as  wholly  inconsistent  with  the 
JJlecordsofthf  colony,  May,  1743.    tP.'   ordsofCpimeclicutjOct.  174S. 


'^t;;,. 


CrtAf. 


nil. 


CONNECTICUT. 


\13 


ri>r|,K  of  consrirncc»  as  nuking  crimoH  of  thMe  things  Book  II. 
whii  !•  the   piou-stnnl  reformers  and  if  <  purians  had  not  n^^^-^^z 
ftiilv  J'^^'k*^'''  '**  ^  •'•ght,  but  matter  of      .(spennable  duly.     1744. 
Thly  coii>iden'd  the  laws  as  abomiriabh',  and,  in  some  in- 
M;tt>ce«,  spake  their  minds  very  freely  ;  more  freely,  per- 
haps, than  was  consistent  with  prudence  or  safety. 

ill  May,  1744,  Mr.  John  Owen,  and  Mr.  PomtToy,  were  May, 1714. 
I)rout^hl  before  the  assembly,  to  answer  to  coniplamts  ex- 
hibited against  them. 

Mr.  Owen,  on  makmg  some  concessions,  was  dismissed, 
oil  jiiiyi'ig  ill*"  cost  of  prosecution ;  the  assembly  imputine 
his  lank  rather  to  a  misguided  conscience,  overheated  zeal, 
,11(1  the  diiricully  of  the  times,  than  to  a  contempt  of  tho 
laws  and  authority  of  the  government. 

Mr.  Pomeroy  was  brought  before  the  assembly,  in  con- 
sequence of  a  bill  of  indictment  filed  against  him  by  Elihtj 
Hall,  PIsq.  of  Wallingford,  for  publicly  saying,  that  the  late 
laws  of  this  colony,  made  concerning  ecclesiastical  affairs, 
rtcre  a  great  foundation  to  encourage  persecution,  and  to 
('i)couragc  wicked  men  to  break  their  covenants  ;  and  that 
if  they  did  not,  it  was  no  thanks  to  the  court :  and  that  the 
law,  which  was  made  to  stop  ministers  from  going  about  tm 
preach  in  other  towns,  was  made  without  reason,  and  was 
( ontrary  to  the  word  of  God.  And  on  another  bill  he  wasi 
indicted,  for  saying,  on  the  fast  day,  that  the  great  men  had 
lallcn  in  with  those  that  were  on  the  devil's  side,  and  ene- 
mies to  the  kingdom  of  Christ ;  that  they  had  raised  such 
persecution  in  the  land,  that  if  there  be  a  faithful  minister 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  he  must  lose  bis  estate ;  that  if  there  be 
a  faithful  man  in  civil  authority,  he  must  lose  his  honour 
and  usefulness ;  and  that  there  was  no  colony  so  bad  as 
Connecticut,  for  persecuting  laws  ;  or  to  that  effect. 

The  assembly  appointed  Daniel  Edwards,  Esq.  to  man- 
age the  prosecution  against  Mr.  Pomeroy,  before  them. 
Mr.  Pomeroy  made  such  concessions  as  he  judged  he  could 
with  a  good  conscience  ;  but  as  the  principal  things  were 
known  facts ;  that  there  were  no  such  laws  in  any  other 
(Colony  in  New-England  or  America ;  and  as  he  believed, 
in  his  conscience,  that  they  were  contrary  to  the  word  of 
God,  of  a  persecuting  nature,  and  laid  a  foundation  for  peo- 
ple to  break  their  covenants  with  their  ministers,  and  with- 
hold from  them  stipulated  salaries,  without  any  fault  of 
theirs,  he  could  not  make  any  such  retraction  as  the  as- 
sembly would  accept.  He,  therefore,  was  put  upon  his 
trial.  He  had  many  powerful  friends ;  and  tliough  the 
majority  of  the  assembly  and  people  were  old  lights,  yet 
the  new  lights,  a§  they  were  calleel,  w^e  a  numerous  arf4 


iK 


IllSTOIiY  OI 


C'lur.  M\\ 


.i 


Hook  II.  ^fron^^  jVirly,  .mhI  groat Hlorts  wnr  ma«lc  to  savo  liim.     Aii 

v^'^^^^/ Wiis  saif)  ii^  linst   t!'<*  laws,   jiikI  irj  his  I'avour.    whirh  (li» 

1711,     Ix'^il  .«ll()ifii»'H  thought  pniderit  atnl  hesl  to  pi*  i  *     hm  ii,i 

assnnhly  jiid^rd  him  guilty  <if  thr  rhargrs,  ordort'd  him  \i 

j)av  ihc  roHt  of  iirosorulion,  and  to  lir  hound  to  hit  p<>a(<- 

:tl)lr  and  good  nrhnvioiir,  in  a  Itond  of  fifty  pound>.  •inijl 

May,l74-J.  ll>t'  mssion  in  iho   next  May;  and  then  to  appear  I  m  loir 

the  a»srml)ly,  and,  on  condition  of  his  peaceable  ImIih 

viour  till  that  time,  to  t  ike  up  his  horxl.* 

While  Mr.  Poineroy  was  deprived  of  his  lawful  salar). 
and  thvis  harassed  and  put  to  expense,  he  had  this  ronso 
lation, — that  his  people  were  generally  pious,  penreahji , 
an<l  friendly;  and  expressed  th«ir  good  will  towards  lijm, 
in  voIinUarily  snpporlifighim;  and  while  large  separations 
were  going  oft*  (rom  other  ninisters  and  churches,  not  ii 
family  or  individual  was  separating  from  him.     He  wus 

f)opular,  and  wherever  he  preached,  people  would  flock  in 
tear  him. 

Every  measure  appears  to  have  been  taken  to  suppress 
tlie  zealous,  experimental  preachers  and  people,  both  h) 
th«  legislature  and  the  leaders  among  the  clergy.  Num- 
bers of  them  were  Arminians,  preachers  of  a  dead,  cold 
morality,  without  any  distinction  of  it  from  heathen  morali- 
ty, by  the  piinciples  of  evangelical  love  and  faith.  Ex- 
perimenfal  religion,  artd  zeal  and  engagedness  in  preach- 
ing, and  in  serving  God,  were  i>Tmed  enthusiasm.  And 
great  advantage  was  taken,  by  reason  of  the  wild,  enthusi- 
astic errors,  which  some  unhappily  imbibed,  to  decry  the 
•whole  work  as  delusion,  and  the  work  of  the  devil.  The 
clergy,  who  were  in  opposition  to  the  work,  strove  to  en- 
force the  constitution,  in  a  rigid  manner,  beyond  its  true; 
meaning  and  original  design.  The  exclusion  of  ministers 
from  preaching  in  their  pulpits,  who  were  orthodox,  and 
zealously  preached  the  doctrines  which  were  contained  in 
the  confession  of  faith,  adopted  by  the  constitution,  and 
who  were  moral  in  their  lives,  to  whom  they  had  given  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship,  was  entirely  unconstitutional,  and 
perhaps  p.s  great  a  disorder,  as  ministers  preaching  in  a 
parish,  without  the  consent  of  the  pastor  and  church  in 
.said  parish.  The  ecclesiastical  constitution  of  the  colony, 
warranted  no  such  measures.  The  ministers  of  each  as- 
'Sociation  were  amenable  to  each  other,  and,  until  found 
guilty  of  error,  mal-administration,  or  immoral  conduct, 
upon  a  fair  and  candid  hearing,  before  the  association,  or 
consociation,  to  which  they  belonged,  had  a  right  to  be 
rticeivcd  and  treated  as  brethren.  The  prohibitmg  their 
♦  The  cost  of  prosecution,  was  £32, 10*.  8rf* 


CHi^f'  VIH. 


L'ONNFXTICL'T. 


177 


prrnclunj;  in  tlip  f)ul|»i('<  aiifi  parinlK  s  of  tin  ir  hrcrhrrn.  Rook  II. 
wai^Ho  far  from  iccording  uiili  ilic  coiiijliuiiiun,  that  it  wu^  s^'^''^^ 
Hviolucion  of  it.  1744. 

While  the  ci\  ilidns  wrrc  iniikint;  and  rnforrinp  tlu  ir  so- 
(TP  Jaw.H,  ihc  cU'i'^y  Htrt-  a(lo|)tirig  nHiisiircs  no  Icsh  sr- 
vtTP  and  uncon»tit.ulional.  Tht-y  ll>lJ^jH•tld« d  tliiir  nicni- 
•MTs  from  thrir  communion,  for  going  to  hear  Mr.  While- 
field,  Mr.  Wheelock,  Mr.  i'omeroy,  and  other  zealons 
prtachers.  In  some  instances,  ministers  did  it  by  their 
i^wn  power,  without  ever  consulting  their  churches,  ortjiv- 
iiig  them  a  hearing  before  their  bretliren.  Some,  for  this 
£;ieat  fault,  were  excluded  from  church  communion  tea 
;jnd  twelve  years,  or  more,  until  the  pastors  who  suspcndc.d 
them  were  dead,  and  others  succeeded  them. 

The  consociations,  to  guard  against  zealous  preachers, 
or  such  as  were  striclJy  orthodox,  ordained  young  men,  in 
i-ome  instances,  where  there  were  strong  parties  in  oppo- 
sition to  their  settlemetit ;  and  in  .some  instances,  it  seems, 
against  a  majority  of  the  church,  and  even  where  there  was 
not  a  majority  of  the  lawful  voters  in  favour  of  the  settle-  o„jinntioii 
ment.  In  1738,  the  consociation  of  New-Haven  county,  of  Mr. 
ordained  Mr.  Samuel  Whillelsey  at  Milford,  against  a  large  Whittei- 
minority  in  the  church  and  town,  who  objected  to  his  doc-'^'^'  ^'^•^' 
trine«  and  preaching.  There  were  warm  debates  jn  the 
(ounci-l,  and  opposition  to  the  ordination.  Governor  Law, 
and  other  principal  men  in  the  town,  were  in  the  majority, 
and  engaged  for  his  settlement.  Mr.  Whittelsey,  ot^  Wal- 
lingford,  was  his  father,  and  an  iiiAuential  character  among 
the  ministers,  and  he  was  exceedingly  interested  in  the  set- 
tlement of  his  son.  Mr.  Noyes,  of  New-Haven,  was  close- 
ly united  with  him,  Mr.  Hall,  of  Cheshire,  was  brother  in 
law  to  governor  Law,  and  zealously  wished  the  ordination, 
and  finally  the  point  was  carried,  In  conseqqence,  a  num- 
ber of  the  church  and  society  withdi'ew  from  his  ministry, 
and  professed  themselves  to  be  presbyterians ;  they  were 
strictly  calvinistic,  and  a  strict  and  zealous  people,  both 
as  to  doctrines  and  morals.  They  sent  into  New- Jersey, 
(0  obtain  a  preacher,  who  was  a  prcsbyterian.  They  ob- 
tained Mr.  Finley  to  preach  to  them,  a  man  of  genius,  and 
of  an  unblemished  character.  He  was  afterwards  presi- 
dent of  the  college  in  New-Jersey.  But  he  was  once  or 
twice,  by  virtue  of  the  tr-ansporting  law,  carried,  as  a  va- 
grant, out  of  the  colony ;  and  the  people  were  obliged, 
about  twelve  years,  to  pay  their  rates  to  Mr.  Whittelsey, 
and  to  be  at  all  charges  with  the  first  society,  in  building 
?nd  repairing  their  meeting-houses.* 

*  They  were  released  from  taxes  i;t  the  session  io  &Iay,  1750,  sq  Jlop^ 
as  they  should  continue  to  worship  by  thera^clvei?, 

X 


ni 


inSTORY  OF 


Ghap.  V  hi. 


Di-r.28U), 
1714. 


SppSrnfion 
at  Ciintcr- 
bury. 


Book  II.  The  consociation  of  Windham,  proceeded  to  ordain  Mr. 
James  Cogswell,  at  Canterbury,  against  a  nuijority  of  the 
church,  as  has  been  allodecd  ;  in  consc(juence  of  a  major 
vote  of  the  society.  If  this  was  a  fact,  that  a  majority  of 
the  church  were  against  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Coj^swrll. 
as  those  who  separated  always  aiTn-med,  it  was  unconstitu- 
tional, I'.nd  contrary  to  the  universal  practice  in  those  cases. 
The  platform  expressly  provides,  tlmt  in  the  ordination  ol 
U  minister,  there  shall  be  a  majority  ot  the  rhunh. 

About  fifty  families  entirely  separated  IVoni  the  church 
and  society,  and  held  meetings  by  liiemselves.  They  al- 
ledged  that  the  consociation  had  ordained  Mr.  Cogswell 
in  opposition  to  a  majority,  that  they  .  ud  taken  seventeen 
members  who  were  delinquents,  and  some  of  ihem  under 
censure,  and  treated  them  as  in  good  standing.  They  ob- 
jected against  the  standing  churches  that  they  received 
members  into  full  communion  without  any  examination  in- 
to  their  experience,  maintaining  that  men  of  good  mo- 
pl  characters  ought  to  be  admitted  to  full  communion, 
though  unconverted,  that  they  might  be  under  proper  or- 
dinances for  their  conversion :  'I'hat  tliey  baptized  children 
of  parents,  neither  of  which  were  in  full  communion. 
That  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  of  Connecticut,  set  the 
majority  of  the  society  of  unregenerate  men  above  the 
church  :  That  Christ  was  the  head  of  the  church ;  but  the 
magistrates,  the  ecclesiastical  constitiition,  and  the  major 
vote  of  the  society,  was  the  head  of  the  Connecticut  church- 
es :  That  the  constitution  and  laws  were  unjust,  oppressive 
and  persecuting.  In  short,  they  maintained  that  the  stand- 
ing churches  were  antichristiun,  and  that  all  good  people 
ought  to  come  out  from  them  and  be  separate  :  That  it  was 
idolatry  to  pay  any  thing  to  the  standii.g  ministry,  and  that 
none  could  <Jo  it  with  a  good  conscience.  They  repre- 
sented that  the  magistrates,  ministers,  and  people  who  were 
joining  with  them,  belonged  to  the  generation  of  the  per 
secutors,  on  whom  would  come  all  the  blood  shed  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world.*  They  held  to  a  certain  knowl- 
edge of  the  saints  :  denounced  Mr.  Cogswell  as  an  uncon- 
verted man,  who  had  no  acquaintance  with  experimental 
religion,  and  often  treated  him  with  scurrility,  with  pro- 
vocation and  abuse.  They  held  their  meetings  in  a  pri- 
vate house,  and  their  exhorters  conducted  their  public 
worship,  ministered,  and  preached.     In  consequence  oi 


Exhorters 
and  lay 
pruarhprs 
imprison- 


this,  some  of  them   were  arrested,  condemned,  and  sen- 
tenced to  be  bound  in  a  bond  of  an  hundred  pounds,  net  to 

*  See  Solomon  Paine's  short  view  of  the  diflorencc  hetTreen  the  church 
Cf  Christ  and  the  established  chuichesinthe  culoiivpf  Connecticut. 


Chap.  VFII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


J7D 


olFond  again  in  the  like  manner.  But  as  they  imagined  it  Book  IF. 
was  thfir  indispenr?ble  duty  to  exhort  and  teach  the  peo-  n^-«v-^^ 
pie,  and  as  they  determined  to  teach  and  exhort  when  they  1744, 
.should  have  opportunity,  they  would  not  give  bonds,  and 
Ml  were  committed  to  prison,  and  kept  a  long  time  from 
their  lamilies,  and  from  the  worship  and  communion  of  their 
brethren,  and  endured  much  hardship  in  their  long  con- 
finement. Others  were  arrested  and  imprisoned  lor  re- 
fusing to  pay  their  minister's  rates,  which  were  laid  upon 
them,  though  they  had  acted  against  his  settlement  and 
withdrawn  themselves  wholly  from  his  ministry.  Others 
had  their  cattle  and  goods  taken  and  sold  at  the  post  at 
half  their  value,  to  pay  for  the  support  of  the  minister  of 
the  parish.  These  violent  measures,  instead  of  checking 
the  separation,  and  conciliating  the  minds  of  the  people, 
alienated  them  more  and  more  from  the  constitution  and 
standing  churches,  and  confirmed  them  in  their  belief  that 
they  were  right,  and  actually  suflering  in  the  cause  of 
Christ. 

There  was  another  circumstance  which  took  place  at  this 
time,  which  had  the  same  unhappy  effi^ct.  There  were  two 
Clcavelands,  John  and  Ebenezer,whgi  were  students  in  Yale 
College,  whose  parents  it  seems  were  of  the  number  whdhad 
separated  from  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Cogswell,  and  attended 
the  separate  meetings  at  a  private  house,  which  they  had  a- 
greed  upon  for  that  purpose.  These  young  gentlemen, 
w  hile  at  home,  during  the  vacation  in  September,  attended 
ifhc  separate  meetings  with  their  parents.  One  of  them,  it 
seems,  was  a  member  of  the  separate  church.  For  this  and 
their  neglect  to  confess  their  fault  in  that  respect,  they  were 
both  expelled  from  college.  The  act  of  expulsion,  and  tha 
re3sons  given  for  it,  willexhibit  the  fullest  account  of  this 
affair.     It  is  in  the  words  following  : 

"  Yale  College,  Nov.  19th,  1744, 
Present,  the  Rector  and  Tutors. 

"  Upon  information  that  John  Cleaveland,  and  Ebene-  jhe 
zer  Cleaveland,  members  of  this  college,  withdrew  r:'om  Cleav«- 
thc  public  worship  of  God,  in  the  meeting-house  io  Canter-  '^ll'/^" 
bury,  carried  on  by  Mr.  Cogswell,  a  licensed  and  approv-  ^^^  ^.q^. 
ed  candidate  for  the  ministry,  preaching  there  at  the  de-  lege, 
sire  of  the  first  parish  or  society  in  Canterbury,  with  the 
special  direction  of  the  association  of  the  county  of  Wind- 
ham; and  that  they  the  said  Cleavelands,  with  sundry 
others,  belonging  to  Canterbury  and  Plainfield,  did  go  and 
attend  upon  a  private  separate  meeting,  in  a  private  house, 
for  divine  worship,  carried  on  prinpipally  by  one  Solomon 
Paine,  a  lay  exhorter,  on  several  sabbaths  in  September 


■  ■n'ml 


*IJ0 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  VltL 


mi ' 


■n:^ 


Hook  H.  or   ()i  IvjIkt   last ;  the   said   Cloaveland's  being   sevcml 
v,^-v'>i»/  times  srrit  for,  acknowledged  the  facts,  as  above  related. 
1744.    and  justified  what  they  had  done,  and  gave  the  reasons. 
Act  oi  IX-  given  in  writing  by  the  said  separatists,  for  their  separa 
lulMon.      tion  aforesaid,  the  most  material  of  which  are  these,  viz: 
That  the  first  society  in  Canterbury  keep  up  only  the  form 
of  godliness,  and  fleny  the  life,  power  and  spirituality  of 
it,  and  had  given  Mr.  Cogswell  a  caH,  rn  order  for  settle- 
ment, whom  rfiey  thd;  said  separates  had  declared  to  be 
fjesfitute  of  those  essential  qualihcations  that  ought  to  be  in 
■  \  ;i  miiii^iler  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  therefore  caimot  join  witli 

the  society  in  their  choice,  but  look  upon  it  to  be  their  in- 
ilispcni^a bio  duty  to  choose  one  after  God's  own  heart ;  one 
I  hut  will  be  able  to  comfort  the  wounded  with  the  samtt 
« omfort  wherewith  he  himself  is  comforted  of  God,  and 
not  a  blind  guide ;  for  then  the  blind  will  lead  the  blind 
into  the  ditch  of  God's  eternal  wrath :  and  nlany  of  the  so- 
ciety spoke  evil  of  those  things  which  they  the  separatists 
received,  and  held  to  be  the  eflects  of  the  Holy  Ghost : 
Ivhcrcupon  they  look  upon  it  to  be  a  loud  call  to  them  to 
come  out  from  among  them,  &c.  and  to  appoint  the  house 
of  Samuel  Wadsworth,  to  be  the  place  to  meet  in  by  them- 
selv^'s,  to  serve  the  Lord  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

"  And  the  said  Cleavelands  say,  that  this  bein^  the  act 
of  the  major  part  of  the  members  in  full  communion  with 
the  said  society,  is  a  sufficient  warrarvt  for  them  to  join 
with  them.  They  also  say,  that  the  said  Solomon  Paine 
has  sulficient  knowledge  and  ability  to  expound  the  scrip- 
lures,  and  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  therefore  has  a  right 
10  do  it  5  and  therefore  say  they,  that  in  withdrawing  from 
the  public  A^orship,  and  attending  upon  the  preaching  of 
the  said  Solomon  Paine,,  they  have  not  a;eted  contrary  to 
any  divine  or  human^  law.  Whereupon  it  is  considered 
by  the  rector  and  tutors, 

"  1.  That  we,  (depending  in  this  matter  upon  the  unani- 
mous judgment  of  the  association  in  the  county  of  Wind- 
haiH)  do  judge  that  the  said  Mr.  Cogswell,  is  sufficient!} 
riualified  to  be  a  preacher  of  the  gospol,  and  therefore  that 
the'reflections  cast  upon  him,  as  aforesaid,  are  groundless. 
"  2.  That  if  there  were  any  reasons  why  the  said  sepa- 
ratists should  not  choose  to  receive  Mr.  Cogswell  as  tlieir 
minister;  or  if  it  should  be  doubtful  whether  it  is  conven- 
ient that  Mr.  Cogswell  should  be  ordained,  where  so  great 
a  nuraberare  against  him,  (which  things  properly  belonj^ 
to  the  hearing  and  judging  of  a  council,)  yet  we  cannot  see 
that  this  could  be  any  justification  of  their  setting  up  a  sepa- 
ration in  the  mean  time. - 


"When 

tor  and  tui 

land,  in  w 

ship  of  Go 

Jiorters,  as 

ihe  gospel, 

iliat  the  sai 

iheir  faults 

fheniselves 

shall  be  es 

About  a 

per,  where: 

o;ression  ei 

this  collegt 

a  particula 

sus  Christ, 

church  for 

that  my  ig 

that  respec 

Upon  w 

be  in  his  ft 

of  light  am 

he  had  don 

sometimes 

stand  in  hi 

would  hav( 

been  preve 

4nd  design 

ter)  was  to 

ministers, 

be  directec 

fore,   to  e( 

are  direct! 

would  be  c 

society  ;  a 

to  the  civil 

dents  to  tr 

church.s  w 

the  Genera 


iHAf.  vni. 


CONNECTICUt. 


181 


the  forni 
uality  of 
91*  settle- 
id  to  be 
I  to  be  in 
joiti  with 
their  in- 
3art ;  one 
he  sam<t 
jod,  and 
the  blind 
)f  the  so- 
jparatists 
f  Ghost : 
0  them  to 
;he  house 
by  them- 


n  to  join 
on  Paine 
the  scrip, 
las  a  right 
ving  icora 
aching  of 
)n^rary  to 
onsidered 

the  unani- 
of  Wind- 
ufficientl} 
efore  that 
ouniless. 
said  sepa- 
U  as  their 
s  conven- 
•e  so  great 
•ly  belong^ 
:annot  see 
up  a  sepa> 


''  3.  That  neither  the  major  part  of  the  members  in  full  Book  U. 
comimnion,  nor  any  other  persons  in  any  parish  or  socio-  v^-n/-^^ 
ty  '  avc  any  right  or  warrant  to  appoint  any  house  or  place    1 744. 
' X  worship  on  the  sabbath,  distinct  and  separate  froiti, 
Mild  in  opposition  to  the  meeting-house,  the  public  place  ^^^^"^  ^*" 
appointed  by  the  general  assembly,  aaid  the  parish;  but**"*"^"' 
,m  the  contrary,  all  such  placed  and  separate  meetings  are 
prohibited  by  the  ancient  laws  of  this  government. 

''  Whereupon,  it  is  considered  and  adjudged  by  the  rec- 
lor  and  tutors,  that  the  said  John  and  Ebcnezer  Cleave- 
lantl,  in  withdrawing  and  separating  from  the  public  wor- 
ship of  God,  and  attending  upon  the  preaching  of  lay  ex- 
liorters,  as  aforesaid,  have  acted  contrary  to  the  rules  of 
ihc  gospel,  the  laws  of  this  colony,  and  the  college,  and 
that  the  said  Cleavelands  shall  be  publicly  admonished  for 
their  faults  aforesaid  j  and  if  they  shall  continue  to  justify 
fhemselves,  and  refuse  to  make  an  acknowledgment,  they 
shall  be  expelled.  Thomas  Clap,  Rector.'''' 

About  a  week  after  this,  John  Cleaveland  gave  in  a  pa- 
per, wherein  he  says,  "  I  did  not  know  that  it  was  a  trans- 
o;ression  either  of  the  laws  of  God,  or  of  the  colony,  or  of 
this  college,  for  me,  as  a  member  of,  and  in  covenant  with 
a  particular  church,  generally  owned  to  be  a  church  of  Je- 
sus Christ,  to  meet  together  with  the  major  part  of  the  said 
church  for  social  worship,  and  therefore  beg  and  entreat 
that  my  ignorance  may  be  suffered  to  apologise  for  me  in 
that  respect." 

Upon  which  it  was  considered,  "  That  whatever  might 
be  in  his  former  ignorance  and  mistake,  yet  after  all  means  Reasons 
of  light  and  conviction,  he  still  persists  in  justifying  what  for  expui- 
he  had  done,  and  Would  acknowledge  no  error  in  it  •,  thojii;  i>  ' 
sometimes  he  seemed  to  be  brought  to  such  a  doubt  ar.a 
stand  in  his  own  mind,  as  that  it  seemed  probable  that  he 
would  have  made  some  acknowledgment,  if  he  had  not. 
been  prevented  by  ill  advice :  and  since  the  prinrlnai  end 
^nd  design  of  erecting  this  college  (as  declared  in  iiie  char- 
ter) was  to  train  up  a  succession  of  learned  and  orthodox 
rpinisters,  by  whose  instruction  and  example  people  might 
be  directed  in  the  ways  of  religion  and  good  order ;  there- 
fore, to  educate  persons  whose  principles  artd  practices 
are  directly  subversive  of  the  visible  churcli  of  Christ, 
would  be  contrary  to  tho  original  design  of  erecting  i\n^ 
society  ;  and  we  perceive  that  it  would  be  a  contradiction 
to  the  civil  government,  to  support  a  college  to  educate  stu- 
dents to  trample  upon  their  own  la^vs,  and  break  up  the 
church-s  which  they  establish  and  protect,  especially  since 
the  General  Asseinbly,  -n  May.  174:2.  thought  proper  to  z\\c 


1^ 


.  sion. 


ioj 


HISTORY  OF 


Law.  VIII 


lb 

M 


>J\    ■«>■: 


ii^:f!''^ 


Book  II.  ihc  governors  of  the  college  some  special  advice  and  Hi 
s^->o^/  n-ctinn  upon  thai  account,  which  was  to  this  cfFect :  Th;i' 
1714.    'i"  proper  care  should  be  taken  to  prevent  the  scholari>  j;), 
bibing  those  or  such  like  errors ;  and  that  those  who  wouli; 
not  be  orderly  and  submissive,  should  not  be  allowed  ihi 
)rivilegcs  of  collep*.     Neither  can  wc  conceive   that  i 
makes  any  oclds,  whether  such  pernicious  errors  are  imbilj. 
cd  and  practised,  and  the  laws  of  God  and  the  civil  gov 
ernment  are  broken  in  or  out  of  the  vacancy,  of  the  town 
of  New-Haven,  or  with  or  without  the  concurrence  ofth- 
parents,  since  the  pernicious  consequences  thereof  to  llu 
colh.'ge  and  religion,  will  be  just  the  same. 
Thomas  Clap,  Rector, 
Chauncey  Whittelsey,^ 
John  Whitino,  >  Tators,^^ 

Thomas  Darlixo,  j 

The  expulsion  of  these  young  men,  made  a  great  claoi- 
our  in  the  stale,  as  unprecedented  and  cruel.  It  was  con- 
sidered i'S  a  severity  exceeding  the  law  of  college  respect- 
ing tliut  case.  The  law  was,  "  That  no  scholar  upon  the 
Lord's,  or  another  day,  under  pretence  of  religion,  shall 
go  to  any  public  or  private  ifteeting,  not  established  or  al- 
lowed  by  [)ublic  authority,  or  approved  by  the  president, 
under  iienalty  of  a  fine,  confession,  public  admonition,  or 
otherwise,  according  to  the  slate  and  demerit  of  the  of 
i'cncc."  A  line,'  or  confession,  or  public  admonition,  might 
iiave  answered  the  law;  and  it  supposed,  in  its  very  form, 
ihat  the  offender  was  to  be  treated  in  a  more  mild  or  severe 
manner,  according  to  what  was  to  be  pleaded  in  his  favor 
or  against  him.  That  there  was  much  to  plead  in  behalf 
of  llipse  young  men  was  most  evident.  Mr.  Cogswell's 
♦jicaching,  and  his  support  at  Canterbury,  by  the  asso- 
ciation and  consociation,  against  a  majority  of  the  church, 
and  so  lar^c  a  proportion  of  the  people,  was  very  extraor- 
dinary. The  separates  alfinn'id  that  thirteen  delinquents, 
v/ho  were  admonished  by  their  brethren  for  open  trans- 
gressions of  God's  law,  called  the  consociation  that  pro- 
liibited  the  church  from  dealing  with  them.  That  these. 
and  th»*ec  more  who  joined  with  them,  and  put  themselves 
nndc'  !iO  Saybrook  platform,  were  the  men  who  chose  Mr. 
Cogswell.  The  society  had  locked  the  meeting-house 
a«-ainst  the  church.  They  had  also  threatened  to  prose- 
vAic  Mr.  Buel,  of  Long-ialand,  for  preaching  in  the  town. 
.Tolin  Clcaveland,  it  seems,  had  joined  in  full  communiort 
widi  the  church  m  Canterbury,  iind  according  to  the  ac- 
count which  is  given  of  the  raf.tter,  the  president  had  before 
owned  and  communed  v.ith  him  as  a  brother  in  Christ. 


f  aAP.  VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


181 


The  church  »vith  which  he  had  joinocl  in  woi-ship,  was  iho  Book  11. 
vcrv  church  witli    which  he  had  covenanted,  and   wiih  s^-v->^ 
vvhich  ihry  had  both  worshipped.     Their  parents  wor-    i7ii. 
shipped  there.     Thry  held  to  the  same  confession  of  faith 
.vhit  h  they  had  always  used  and  owned,  and  which  had 
i,ccn  adopted  both  by  the  Camiiridiife  and  Saybrook  plat- 
,)rms.     They  didcr^^d  as  to  the  mode  of  discipline.     They 
adopted  the  Cambridge,  instead  of  the  Saybrook  platlonii. 
The  president  and  tutors  allowed  young  men  of  the  church 
ni  lOngland,  and  of  other  denominations,  'o  be  in  college 
uilhout  renouncing  their  principle*.     The  treatment  of 
hcse  young  men  was  therefore  considered  as  partial,  se- 
vere, and  unjust.     It  was  believed  by  many,  that  churches 
had  a  right  tp  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of 
heir  own  consciences,  and  at  such  times,  and  in  such  pla- 
cs,  as  they  pleased  :  That  it  was  the  principle  on  which 
;hc  Protestants  and  Puritans  acted,   arid  the  only  one  on 
.vhich  their  separation  and  conduct  could   be  justified. 
They  imagined  if  christian  legislatures  and  councils,  had 
J  right  to  appoint  the  modes  and  places  of  worship,  and 
conline  christians  to  them,  that  then  the  Papists,  and  church 
of  England,  had  a  right  to  bind  a)l  christians  to  worship 
vith  them,  and  the  reformers  and  Puritans  were  totally 
wrong,  and  the  persecutions  raised  against  them  were  jusi. 
But  this  they  could  not  believe.     Hence  they  rejected  the 
constitution,  as  then  understood  and  practised  upon,  and 
the  laws  as  really  tyrannical  and  persecuting.* 

^The  act  of  the  legislature,  and  the  proceedings  in  consequence  of  if, 
towards  ministers  and  others,  and  the  procedure  at  college,  were  npugnant 
to  the  sentiments  of  Mr.  Locke,  and  all  the  best  writers  on  toleration.  The 
intolerant  spirit  of  the  president  and  governors  of  college  at  that  time,  will 
appear  from  an  affair  which  happened  soon  after  the  law  was  madi;  to  prc« 
vent  disorders,  &c,  A  number  of  the  senior  class-in  college  set  a  siihsciip' 
HOD  on  foot  for  the  reprinting  of  Mr.  Lockers  ei^ay  on  toleratiua,  and  ob- 
lained  a  considerable  number  of  subscribers,  and  were  about  to  engage,  ot 
liad  engaged  for  the  reprintiug  of  it.  The  president  found  it  out,  and  re- 
primanded them  for  such  a  piece  of  conduct,  and  ordered  them  to  make  a 
public  confession  for  what  they  had  done,  or  else  they  fehould  not  have 
their  degrees.  They  all  made  th<;ir  confessionii  but  one  :  he  vas  of  ago, 
and  a  man  of.considerable  property,  and  had  some  knowledge  of  the  cred- 
it of  Mr.  Locke's  writings,  and  of  that  tract  in  particular,  ami  he  would 
make  no  confession  for  tus  attiimpt^  to  obtain  the  reprinting  of  such  a 
tract.  The  day  before  commencemeut  he  found  his  namp  was  not  in  thrj 
catalogue  of  his  class,  who  w.e  ?.  to  have  their  degrees  :  he  waited  on  tliC 
president  and  corporation  to  know  the  reason  why  his  name  was  not  in  f  lis 
catalogue :  he  was  told  that  he  had  been  in  the  mi^cliievous  business  of 
carrying  about  subscriptions  for  the  reprinting  of  Mr.  Locke  on  toleration. 
He  told  them  he  was  of  age,  and  had  property,  and  if  he  could  not  havp 
his  degree,  he  would  appeal  to  the  king  in  council :  that  he  had  an  attor- 
ney, and  would  «nter  it  soon.  8ome  time  after,  a  freshman  was  sent  to 
liim,  acquainting  him  that  the  president  and  corporation  wished  to  sm 
iiim,  Ho  waited  on^kem,  and  they  treated  him  with  much  c.oiiinir.icancc;^ 
and  told  him  t ?  appear « ith  his  glass  and  take  hi;  degree. 


"n 

'•3; 

..u- 


M 


184 


IliSTOIlV  OF 


Chat.  Vlll. 


fl'.'T.' 


Ill 


m 


'i 


Book  11.  lUit  tlic  laws  were  rxorutctl  in  all  their  spverity.  "  Th- 
v^-v-^  cxhorfcr.s  wore  not  only  imprisoned  for  teaching  and  ei. 
1744.  horlJng,  but  the  members  of  the  church  were  also  arrontn! 
and  imprisoned,  for  not  hearing  Mr.  Cogswell,  and  for  at. 
tending  their  jM-ivate  meetings.  This  severity,  however, 
did  not  intimidate  these  zealous  people,  but  increasH 
their  zeal  and  resentment.  Their  sufferings  awakened  th» 
pity  of  others,  and  influenced  some  to  think  more  favour 
ably  of  them,  and  rather  increased  than  diminished  their 
numbers.  ^  ,  j. 

A  large  separation  took  place  at  Pla  infield,  and  tlip 
same  disorderly  spirit  appeared  among  considerable  num 
bcrs  in  Mansfield,  and  in  some  of  the  neighboring  towns. 
In  the  mean  time,  the  clergy  bore  animated  testimony 
against  the  prevailing  errors,  and  adopted  such  measurfs 
as  they  judged  best  calculated  to  prevent  them.  The  ge- 
neral association  resolved, 

"  That  whereas,  at  all  times,  but  more  especially  at  this 
time,  sundry  persons  unjustly  disaffected  to.,  and  preju- 
diced against  either  the  minister  or  church  or  both,  to 
Jlosolii-  which  they  belong,  under  the  influence  of  ^^uch  disaffection, 
ttons  oitlic  withdraw  from  their  worship  and  communion ;  and  although 
fockitioir'  ^^  y^^  ^^^y  ^^'^  under  no  censure,  yet  we  think  that  other 
ministers  and  churches  receiving  such  disaffected  persons 
to  privileges,  serves  to  encourage  and  strengthen  thera,  la 
their  unjust  disaffection  and  unreasonable  separation; 
which,  to  prevent,  it  may  be  proper  that  the  minister,  by 
himself,  or  in  conjunction  with  some  of  the  brethren  of  such 
church,  from  which  there  is  such  a  separation,  to  write  to 
the  minister  or  ministers  of  such  churches,  to  which  the 
aforesaid  disaffected  members  repair  for  privileges,  and 
.  in  a  brotherly  and  kind  manner,  represent  to  them  the  true 
state  of  such  members  and  churches,  desiring  them  to  dis- 
countenance and  prevent  such  separations.  And  in  case 
a  minister,  or  ministers,  so  informed  or  applied  to,  shall 
still  receive  and  encourage  such  persons,  that  then  thr 
complainant  lay  the  matter  before  the  association  to  which 
that  minister  cloth  belong,  and  that  the  association  deal 
"with  him  as  the  nature  and  circumstances  of  the  case  doth 
require.  And  inasmuch  p  we  judge  that  such  separations. 
countenanced  as  above,  are  the  source  and  origin  of  much 
difficulty,  and  a  practice  big  with  many  mischiefs,  we  ear- 
nestly recommend  the  affair  to  the  particular  associations, 
that  in  this,  or  some  other  way,  they  provide  against  so 
great  an  evil,  that  it  may  be,  by  the  divine  blessing,  soon  and 
easily  cured.  And  that  ministers  should  be  very  cautious 
of  entertainin.g  such  disaffected  persons,  aftd  of  hearing  and 


.  ii\r. 


vni. 


CONNECTICUT. 


lo:. 


oiintonancing  their  reports  of  or  against  their  ministers  Book  11. 
i(i<l  rhurchcs.  v.^-v'-^^ 

•'  That  the  entering  of  a  minister,  nr  of  a  number  of  min-  1741. 
j<tprs,  into  any  estahrished  parish  in  this  government,  and 
•Jirre  gathering  a  church  of  members,  that  had  before  dis- 
orderly separated  themselves  from  the  church  to  which 
•hey  belonged,  and  some  of  them  actually  under  ecclesias- 
iral  censure,  is  just  matter  of  offence. 

"  That  requiring  persons  particularly  to  promise  to  walk 
ill  communion  vvith  that  church  of  Christ  into  which  they 
(ck  admission,  conscientiously  attending  and  upholding 
do  public  worship  of  God  in  that  place,  until  regylarly 
.ii'missed  therefrom,  is  not  a  hard  or  unreasonable  term  of 
<  onimunion.  • 

"  That  it  is  not  advisable  to  admit  a  person  to  commun- 
ion, who  rcfuseth  to  submit  to  the  above  mentioned  terms, 
l)ut  insists  on  liberty  to  go  to  other  places,  when  and  whero 
lie  pleaseth,  to  attend  the  public  worship  and  ordinances." 

The  ministers  in  the  county  of  Windham  took  much 
pains  with  the  separates,  in  private,  to  find  what  v/ere 
their  errors,  and  to  convince  them  of  those  things  whcre- 
11  they  conceived  them  to  be  wrong.  They  also  met  to- 
gether in  association,  towards  the  close  of  the  year,  and 
addressed  a  letter  to  the  people  in  the  several  societies  in 
(he  county,  in  which  they  particularly  notice  some  of  the 
most  prevailing  errors,  and  attempt,  in  a  solid,  plain  and 
cQnvincing  manner,  to  refute  them.  The  most  prominent 
oi  these  errors  are  thus  particularized  : 

"  That  the  saints  certainly  know  one  another,  and  know  Doni^s  ot 
who  are  Christ's  ministers,  by  their  own  inward  feelings,  *he  associ- 
or  a  comn^union  between  them  in  the  inward  actings  of  countv'^of" 
(heir  own  souls.  Windham^ 

"  That  no  other  call  is  necessary  to  a  person  undcrta- Dec-  iiti^ 
king  to  preach  the  gospel,  but  his  being  a  true  christian,  and  ^^'^* 
having  an  ''nward  motion  of  the  spirit,  or  persuasion  in  his 
own  mind,  that  it  is  the  will  of  God  he  should  preach,  and 
perform  ministerial  acts.  That  God  disowns  the  ministry 
nnd  churches  in  thi:  '  tnd,  and  the  ordinances  admuiistered 
in  them. 

"  That  at  such  meetings  of  lay  preaching  and  exhorting, 
they  have  more  of  the  presence  of  God,  than  in  his  ordi- 
nances and  worship  under  the  administration  of  the  pre- 
sent ministry,  and  in  the  administration  of  the  ordinances 
in  these  churches. 

"  That  it  is  the  will  of  God  to  have  a  pure  church  on 
earth,  in  this  sense,  that  all  the  converted  should  be  sepa- 
Tated  from  the  unconverted."     Thev  also  maintained,  that 

Y 


?<iri.i 

f  ■  \4 

.  i:  ' 

■    Vn 

<::,' 

»     1 

:mi 

M 

tzi 


IIISTORV  OF 


Chat.  V1|,-\ 


'i  - 


ii  ,i 


1744. 


fiooKlF  natural  men  ccxild  not  understand  the  scriptures,  nordi.s- 
'corn  nor  understand  divine  truth;  and  that  the  slandin;; 
churches  in  this  land  were  antichristian. 

The  associalioir  say  many  excellent  things  in  rcfutalioi, 
of  these  errors.  They  acknowledge,  "That  there  had 
been  of  lotc,  in  a  few  years  past,  a  great  and  merciful  rr 
vivai  of  religion,  in  most  of  the  towns  and  societies  in  tha- 
countVi  as  well  as  many  other  planes  in  this  land,  which 
they  desired  to  acknowledge,  to  the  praise  of  divine  grace. 
They  declared,  nevertheless,  that  they  were  satisfied,  thu 
lUere  had  been  many  things  which  accompanied  ih' 
work,  which  had  really  been  of  a  difiVrent  kind :  That, 
when  it  pleased  God  to  send  down  his  Holy  Spirit,  to  con 
viiice  and  convert  sinners,  and  the  prince  of  darkness  wa^ 
no  longer  able  to  keep  them  in  that  fatal  security  and  for- 
mality in  wliich  they  had  bin,  he  was  then  obliged  to  act  r> 
difllerent  part  to  carry  on  the  designs  of  his  kingdom  o) 
darkness,  and  oppose  the  conquests  and  triumphs  of  thn 
Redeemer.  And  this  he  had  flone,  by  imitating  as  nearly 
as  he  could,  the  work  of  the  Uo\y  Ghost,  both  by  raising 
imaginary  frights  and  terrors,  in  some  instances,  in 
men's  minds,  somewhat  resoni'Ming  the  convictions  oftlK- 
blessed  Spirit,  and  awakciiiag!^  of  conscience  for  sin  ;  and 
also  filling  their  minds  with  (lashes  of  joy,  and  false  com- 
forts, resembling  somewhat,  in  a  general  way,  the  consola- 
tions of  die  Holy  Ghost.  In  permitting  which,  is  to  be 
adored  the  awful  and  mysterious  sovereignty  of  God, 
whose  way  is  in  tlic  sea,  and  whose  footsteps  are  not 
known.  This,  in  its  beginning  was  not  so  plainly  dis- 
cerned and  distinguished,  in  many  instances,  from  the 
work  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  especially,  as  there  was  some- 
times some  mixture  of  such  things  with  the  true  experien- 
ces of  the  people  of  God  ;  and  was  also  partly  owing  to 
the  injudicious  and  violent  opposition  of  some,  to  this  work;, 
who,  while  they  saw  bad  things  attending  it,  and  many 
people  taken  with  them,  boldly  concluded  it  was  all  of  o 
piece,  and  with  tremendous  rashness  ascribed  all  to  th«: 
devil :  while  others,  on  the  other  hand,  looking  on  the 
good,  and  being  persuaded  that  it  was  a  day  of  God'.s 
wonderful  power  and  gracious  visitation,  suddenly  and 
iveakly  concluded  that  there  was  little  wrong  in  the  ap- 
pearances beside  human  weaknesses,  and  unavoidable  in- 
firmity. TIjis  gave  great  advantage  to  the  subtle  powers 
of  darkness  to  sow  tares  in  the  field,  and  execute  their 
wicked  designs,  which  now  more  and  more  appear  to  have 
been  to  raise  men's  tempers,  throw  them  into  parties,  ta 
excite  and  keep  up  a  bliud  and  furious  zeal,  and  embittei" 


* 


i    • 


VHAr. 


VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


TB7 


4heir  spirits,  anrl  srt  llirm  on  to  roproarh  ami  ponrrutr  one  Book  II. 
another;  to  lead  ofl" their  minds  from  the  tnie  and  proper 
loncerns  of  religion  ;  to  deceive  some  with  false  shews  of 
/pal  for  the  cause  of  Goo  ;  ^o  lead  many  into  wronc  and 
ijjsc  notions  of  the  nature  of  regeneration,  and  lead  oft  their 
minds  from  the  woi-d  of<jOD  ;  to  puft'them  up  with  pride 
ind  vain  notions  of  immediate  impulses  on  their  minds, 
and  apprehensions  of  being  taught  their  duty  and  the  doc- 
trinal meaning  of  particular  texts  of  scripture  thereby  ;  (f) 
Irad  them  ofl'from  the  ortlinances  of  Christ,  and  [)ersuade 
rhem  of  the  uselessness  of  the  ordinary  means  of  teacliing, 
.\nd  render  them  deaf  to  all  conviction,  but  what  they  think 
>s  from  the  spirit  of  God  speaking  in  them  ;  and  also  to 
prejudice  the  minds  of  carnal  and  inexperienced  persons 
iigainst  the  doctrine  of  regeneration,  and  the  necessity  of  a 
special  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  convince  and  rerjcw  them, 
md  to  satisfy  themselves  without  any  such  work,  and  to 
'hink  that  all  beyond  fncrp  outward  morality  and  virtue, 
and  what  reformation  is  wrought  by  mere  moral  persua- 
sion, is  nothing  but  wikl  rant,  superstition,  and  folly ;  and 
the  issue  of  these  things  is  deism  and  infidelity." 

In  their  answer  to  this  error,  that  God  disowns  the 
rhurches  in  this  land,  among  other  things,  they  say,  "  it  is 
in  fact  false."  "  God  has  graciously  and  mercifully  owned 
these  churches,  and  the  ministry  and  ordinances  in  them  : 
there  are  at  this  day  great  numbers  in  several  of  our 
rhurches,  and  more  or  less  in  them  all,  (adored  be  sove- 
reign grace  for  it)  who,  according  to  the  best  judgment  men 
can  maJce  by  the  rules  of  God*s  word,  are  truly  godly  and 
regenerate  souls,  who  have  received  edification,  and  do 
from  time  to  time  receive  edification,  quickening  and  com- 
fort from  the  Holy  Spirit,  through  the  means  oi  the  word 
and  ordinances  administered  in  these  churches :  yea,  we 
can  several  of  us  testify,  that  it  has  pleased  God,  within 
these  few  years  past,  to  awaken,  convince,  and,  as  far  as 
we  can  judge,  to  convert,  divers  persons  in  our  respective 
congregatipns  -j  and  so  far  as  we  can  find  by  the  most  care- 
ful examination,  it  has  been  wholly  by,  and  through  the 
means  of  the  instituted  ministry  ana  ordinanees  of  Christ, 
in  his  church,  that  all  these  instances  of  grace  have  been 
manifested  :  we  would  be  far  from  speaking  it  to  arrogate 
the  least  praise  to  ourselves  ;  we  are  not  worthy  to  be  hon- 
ored to  be  the  meanest  of  the  servants  of  Christ ;  but  we 
cannot  but  speak  the  things  which  we  have  seen  and  known 
to  the  glory  of  the  name  of  God,  and  the  honor  of  his  in- 
stitutions :  and  we  must  testify  that  they  are  false  witnessea 
igaiast  Christ,  who  deny  it." 


L.i" 


108 


HISrOKV   i)[' 


i  "*r.  V  Ju 


l^ooK  If.      Ill  .'iiiofhcr  pnri  of  llu'lr  I*  tJcT,  ilir)  My,  "  Nolu  itliiJnnfi 
v.^'x'Xw'  in^  all  ill"  miilice  of  Sittan,  ami  (he  errors  ant!  >iii>  win*  |, 
1714.     I»H^<'  tlffamcd  l\u  work  of  diviiu-  fjrac*',  v.e  »1<>  jii-d.n. 
that  \vr  arc  fully  8ati^ti(*(l  \h M  (here  has  Ix-cu  in  several  f,| 
o(l^flari^ '    s.  a  woiidrrful  woikof  divirif.'  Ktacf,  acid  a  Mo  . 
cd  <uitpoMi  mg  of  th«.'  holy  spirit ;  and  in  >on>o  of  uur  pin 
rs,  dioR(  of  us  that  belong  to  thorn,  havr      '."cn  to  think, 
that  j;roal  nund)nrs   have   betn   uiid*  r  true,  j<;e!»uinn  con- 
victions, and  awakenings  of  the  spirit  of  (Jon;  and  ma- 
ny scores,  to  the  best  of  our  judgment,  irave  given  a  r\vn\ 
and  credible  account  of  a  gracious  and  saving  work  of  tin. 
Holy  Spirit  on  their  hearts ;  and  though  many  are  mutli 
decayed,  and  swerved  from  that  strict  and  holy  living  and 
jicarncss  to  God,  whi<h  Uiey  expressed,   yet  many   are 
found  who  appear  to  be  bringing  lorth  the  fruits  of  tioD',> 
grace,  in  an  holy,  humble,  heavenly  walk  and  conversa- 
lion.     That  work  of  God  therefore,  which  we  do  acknowl- 
edge, and  have  seen  in  our  parishes,  has  been  a  work  if 
conviction  and  awakening  in  many  souls,  Avherein  they 
]iave  been  made  (o  see  their  guilty,  lost,  undone  sfiitc  by 
nature,  brought  to  see  themselves  under  the  righteous  cur.sf: 
of  Cod's  holy  law,  and  the  broken  covenant  (jf  works,  hav- 
ing no  power  to  help  themselves  out  of  thi.t  condition,  and 
crying  out,  what  must  we  do  to  be  saved  !  (And  this  con 
cern  did  in  divers  of  our  parishes,  run  swiftly  through  inoit 
of  the  families,  and  there  was  scarce  a  sermon  preached  bin 
"wn,-  bl'ssed  for  j>ome  time  to  promote  this  work.)     And  ii 
so  kail  ng  many,  so  far  as  we  could  see,  by  their  expre^- 
iu.ns  fiJid  actions,  to  see  the  divine  truth  of  tiie  gospel  of- 
JtT  of  salvation  by  Christ,  and  upon  the  credit,  call  and 
ivarioat  of  God's  word,  to  venture  their  sotds,  for  holiness 
and  eternal  life,  upon  the  satisfaction  and  mediation  of 
Chuist  alone  ;  and  with  humble  joy  and  praise  to  admiie 
ihe  infinite  riches  of  sovereign  grace  in  Cprjst,  the  eter- 
nal son  of  God  ;  and  that  way  of  holiness  and  salvation 
"which  God  has  provided  through  him:  and  many  saints 
have,  been  much  enlivened,  (|uicKened  and  comforted  ihro' 
the  promises  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  and  tlie  sealings  of 
the  holy  spirit.     Bcih  one  and  the  other  have  been  filled 
■with  humility,  meekness,  peace  and  charity,  and  a  fervent 
love  of  God's  word  and  institutions,  which,  as  is  recorded 
of  the  saints  in  scripture,  they  have  prized  as  the  greatest 
treasure  in  the  world,  and  loved  them  as  gold,  yea,  above 
fme  gold ;  and  have  been  led  out  to  see  the  beauty,  and 
taste  the  sweetness  of  holiness  in  the  great  variety  and  ex- 
tent of  the  virtues  and  duties  of  Christianity,  in  their  sevc- 
cral  callings,  conditions  and  relations ;   and  that  there  \3 


cjjap.  vni. 


CONNECTICIT. 


i«i 


oom  for  the  most  7t  aiotii^  exerciAOK  un*l  iVrvoiit  a<iii»n-  of  Took  II, 
;,,vi' ami  oht'(li«'nc«    lo  Christ,  Hml  (-oiniuntiioii  with  luin,  >i^^^''^>^ 
..iilioiK    thinkiii;;  ihii   U'lvos  ({ii.ililicil   for  prtMchrrs,  or    1745. 
iliat  thfir  biisinchs  \»y  in  iiiidiiiK  out  the  <  ondifion  of  oili- 
,r>,  nn<l  srlilin£»  add  din-dinv;  ih»'  Jilliiirs  of  ('  iHi>r'>  vi-.i- 
•i|«kiii^«lom.  And  this  work  we  have  >|»ok(Mi  of,  wi  wonid 
|)ul<lish  and  i)rocluini  wilh  the  loudcnt  sound«  of  |>r.ii'<r  ti> 
ilic  k'^O    o'  lith  and  sovcn  ign  jijrHcc :    in  carrvinn  on 
I'.hich,  iluu  has  owned  the  lal)oiir»  of  many  of  his  f.udiful 
iiiiiiiilrrs  j  wfilctUvinr  grace  has  triumphed,  nolwithMlan(!- 
iiii^'jdl  the  wr.ikncss  of  men,  and  the  craft  of  satan." 

'I'lir  iissociation  having  abundantly  refuted  the  errors  of 
ihc  separ.ites,  by  solid  scripture  argunietUs,  so'  mIv  ad- 
dress them,  to  warn,  caution  and  advise  them.  then 
iiddrc  ss  true  christians,  beseeching  them  to  ♦  in 
ilie  grace  which  is  in  Christ  Jesi's,  and  not  »  '  ■  "d 
about  by  ever    wiwd  of  doctiine,  «ii:c. 

hi  the  last  place,  ihcy  address  the  unregenerad',  and  dc- 
(lare  unto  thera  that,  "  there  is  a  work  of  the  holy  spirit,  a 
n  i^eneration  or  new  birth,  which  the  scripture  declares 
absolutely  necessary  to  every  man,  or  else  lu;  shall  never 
I  [iter  into  the  kinga*)m  of  God."  They  testify  to  them, 
that  if  they  took  occasion,  from  the  mistakes  and  errors  be- 
fore mentioned,  to  ridicule  religion,  or  think  it  exists  in 
jiothing  but  outward  reformation,  or  the  outward  practice 
uf  virtue,  they  would  be  fixed  in  hypocrisy  and  presump- 
tion, and  be  forever  ruined.  They  assured  them,  that  if 
they  unreasonably  spent  their  time  in  disputing,  or  if  pri- 
vate persons,  who  were  not  obliged  by  any  oadi  or  ollice, 
should  keep  stirring  up  prosecutions,  and  promoting  and 
furthering  the  corporal  punishments  or  religious  disonlers, 
and  driving  on  coercive  measures  to  reclaim  those  that 
uander  out  of  the  way  of  undevstanding,  it  would  not  only 
be  the  most  efieclual  way  to  prevent  their  conviction,  bur. 
also  would  be  like)y  to  be  an  occasion  of  their  neglecting 
their  own  souls,  comforting  themselves  with  a  false  zeal  for 
(iooand  his  cause,  while  they  remained  as  great  straiij^ors 
to  God  as  they  were  born.* 

This  letter  appears  to  have  been  written  in  meekness, 
and  with  a  faithful  and  laborious  attention  to  the  subject. 
It  did  not,  however,  appear  to  have  any  good  elTcct  on 
those  enthusiastic  and  wandering  people,  whom  it  wm  de- 
signed to  cori^ince  and  reclaim. 

The  Rev.  Janes  Davenport,  who  had  been  the  unhappy 

*  Letler  from  the  asBociated  minUtcrs  of  the  codnty  of  Windl<am,  De- 
cember nth,  174-1,  printed  at  Bofctuu,  coataiDing  52  pages,  (jifarto.  The 
whole  association  appeared  to  betogethefj  consisting  of  t>i -tcja  luinistcrs, 
Vihoallset  their  aaaies  loit,  •    •    ? 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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23  WfST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y   MSSO 

(716)  872-4503 


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•SJ 


VI 


f^V 


I 


190 


HISTORY  OF 


Chaj".  Vlil. 


Mr.  Dav. 
rnport 

<ont'<!!»sc(i 
his  errors. 


Book  IT.  instniraonf  of  broaching  and  encouraging  some  of  those 
v^^-v-'w  errors,  wa.s,  by  the  gentle  and  laborious  endeavours  ofihe 
1744.  Rev.  Mr.  Williams  and  Mr.  Wheelock,  brought  to  a  deep, 
humiliating  and  penitent  sen.se  of  his  errors,  and  the  iaUf. 
spirit  under  which  he  had  acted  ;  and  about  this  time  made 
a  most  public  and  ample  concession  and  retraction,  which 
was  published,  and  spread  through  New-England,  and  oth- 
er parts  of  the  country  :  But  he  could  not  convince  and 
reclaim  those  in  whose  delusion  he  had  been  instrumental. 
They  pretended  he  had  no»v  lost  his  zeal,  fallen  from  his 
good  spirit,  become  cold  and  dead,  and  was  influenced  by 
«:)4hers :  Hence  they  would  receive  no  conviction  of  theif 
errors. 

Mr.  Whitcfield  arrived,  in  the  fall  of  this  year,  at  Bos- 
ton, and  preached  in  most  of  the  pulpits  there,  and  in  the 
vicinity ;  and  as  it  w:as  expected  that  he  would,  the  next 
summer,  make  a  tour  through  Connecticut,  the  general  as- 
f^ociation,  when  they  met,  in  June,  1745,  to  prevent  his 
preaching  in  this  colony,  and  prejudice  the  people  against 
him,  passed  the  following  resolve : 

"  That  whereas  there  has  of  late  years  been  many  er- 
Jiefolution  ^^^  '"  doctrine  and  disorders  in  practice,  prevailing  ii) 
iigaiiift      the  churches  in  this  land,  which  seem  to  have  a  threaten- 
Mr. White-  ing  aspect  upon  the  churches  :   and  whereas  Mr.  George 
Acid.         Wnitefield  has  been  the  promoter,  or  at  least  the  faulty 
occasion,  of  many  of  these  errors  and  disorders ;  this  asso- 
ciation think  it  needful  for  them  to  declare,  that  if  the  said 
Mr.  Whitefield  should  make  his  progress  through  this  go- 
vernment,  it  would  by  no  means  be  advisable  tor  any  of 
our  ministers  to  admit  him  into  their  pulpits,  or  for  any  of 
our  people  to  attend  his  administrations." 

This  was,  probably,  an  injurious  and  felse  representa- 
tion of  Mr.  Whitefield,  showing  the  hatred  of  the  old  lights 
to  him  and  his  experimental  and  powerful  preaching,  a 
majority  of  whom,  it  seems,  were  atthir  general  associa- 
tion. Nothing  could  have  been  more  opposed  \o  the  feel- 
ings and  wishes  of  those  ministers  who  nad  been  most  in- 
strumental in  the  religious  revival  which  had  been  in  the 
country,  and  to  the  experimental  and  zealous  people  who 
loved  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word.  Doctor  Coleman,  Doc- 
tor Sewall,  and  the  principal  ministers  of  the  gosper  in 
Boston  and  its  vicinity,  had  welcomed  him  into  uieir  pul- 
pits, and  at  their  desire  he  had  administei^d  the  sac  ra- 
ment  in  several  of  their  churches.  It  will  be  but  do- 
ing justice  to  Mr.  Whitefield's  character,  to  insert  the  tes- 
timony of  fifteen  ministers,  met  at  Taunton,  in  Massachu- 
/setts,  March  5th,  1745,  as  a  contrast  to  this  invidious  reso' 


C/HAP.  VlH. 


CONNECTICUl. 


r9i 


luiion  of  the  general  association.     It  is  in  these  words.  Book  If. 
viz:  "Saturday,  November 24th,  1 744.  The  Reverend  Mr.  v.^">'^^.» 
Whitcficid  was  so  far  revived,  as  to  be  able  to  set  out  from    1 745. 
Portsmouth  to  Boston,  whither  he  came,  in  a  very  feeble  Te»timo- 
state,  the  Monday  evening  after  :  since   which,  he  has  "J^'^""" 
been  able  to  preach  in  several  of  our  largest  houses  of  pub-  Mr. 
lie  worship,  particularly  the  Rev.  Dr.  Coleman's,  Dr.  White- 
Sewall's,  Mr.  Webb's,  and  Mr.  Gee's,  to  crowded  avssem-  ^"''^" 
hiics  of  people,  and  with  great  and  growing  acceptance. 
At  Dr.  Coleman's  desire,  with  the  consent  of  the  church, 
on  the  Lord's  day  after  his  arrival,  he  administered   ti> 
them  the  holy  communion.      And  last  Lord's  day  he 
preached  for  Mr.  Cheever,  of  Chelsea,  and  admirnstercd 
the  holy  supper  there.     The  next  day  he  preached  for  tin; 
llev.  Mr.  Emerson,  of  Maiden,     Yesterday  he  set  out  to- 
preach  at  some  towns  to  the  northward ;  purposes  to  re- 
turn hither  the  next  Wednesday  evening,  and  after  a  few 
clays,  to  comply  with  the  earnest  invitations  of  several 
ministers,  to  go  and  preach  in  their  congregations  in  the 
southern  parts  of  the  province.     He  comes  with  the  same 
extraordinary  spirit  of  meekness,  sweetness,  and  universal 
benevolence  as  oefore.     In  opposition  to  the  spirit  of  .sep- 
aration and  bigotry,  he  is  still  for  holding  communion  with- 
all  protestant  churches.     In  opposition  to  enthusiasm,  he 
preaches  a  close  adherance  to  the  scriptures,  the  necessi- 
ty of  trying  all  impressions  by  them,  and  of  rejecting  what-* 
soever  is  not  agreeable  to  them,  as  delusions.     In  opposi- 
tion to  Antinomianism,  he  preaches  up  all  kinds  of  rela- 
tive duties,  though  to  be  performed  in  the  strength  ot' 
Christ ;  and  in  short,  the  doctrines  of  the  church  of  Eng- 
land, and  the  first  fathers  of  this  country.     As  before,  he 
iirst  applies  himself  to  the  understandings  of  his  hearers, 
and  then  to  the  affections :  and  the  more  he  preaches, 
the  more  he  convinces  people  of  their  mistakes  about  him,' 
and  increases  their  satisfaction."* 

As  Mr.  Whitefield's  strength  increased,  and  his  health 
grew  better,  he  began  to  move  further  southward.  After 
he  had  preached  eastward,  as  far  as  Casco  bay,  and  North- 
Yarmouth,  he  went  through  Connecticut,  Plymouth  and 
Rhode-Island,  pi'eaching  twice  a  day,  and  gerterally  to 
thonsands.  He  was  favourably  received  at  New- York,* 
and  preached  in  the  southern  states  in  his  way  to  Georgia, 
as  he  had  done  when  he  was  before  in  America. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  pains  taken  by  the  pastors  of 
the  churches,  in  pi'ivate  and  public,  to  convince  the  peo- 

•  Prince's  Christian  IlU^pry,  vol.  n.  Xo.  94  ;  add  the  life  of  Whitefielif^ 
page  IIQ.  "  . 


lilbTORY  OF 


Chap.  VIH. 


1740. 


Ocl.  iTl/i. 


174G. 


j»lr   i\  ll<'^  \' f TO  '•rpniatiiif^from  ihn  r  hurciics  arrl  ron2;rp^,i- 
lion^  ill  till"  ra.sti'iti  j);irU  of  tlio  roldny,  of  thfii'  errors,  t||». 
><r|i;«riti<tii^roiitii»ut'«l,  iiicrnispd  find  grew  more  fixiul  ntitj 
;\l;u:niii^.     Tlic  sopnrates  fornicti  llioinsclvcs  info  disfiurt 
rhtinl)':,,  anil  iirocccdi'd  to  choose  anfl  ordfiiti  minisfi- 
over  tlicMi.     Tlir  separates  in  Mansfield,  and  others   bp- 
lon;<in,'^  to  other  <hiirches,  about  ihc  Dlh  of  October,  1745. 
eiubocUed  fhenisclves,  solemnly  covenantiiit^  tof^cthf-r  -is  ;> 
distinct  cl'.iireh,  ;\itlu>iit  any.  dismission  or  recommenda- 
tion from  thcrluuvhes  to  wfiich  they  btl'^nged,  and  scvr- 
ral  of  tluin  were  under  censure,  for  errors,  nnt\  scanda- 
lous, (hsorderly  walking.     About  the  middle  of  January, 
the  next  year,  they  met  with  a  view  to  the  ordination  oi 
Deacon  Thomas  Marsh,  for  their  leaching  elder,  and  otii 
er  church  officers.     A  number  of  tieighbouring  ministers, 
apprised  of  their  meeting,  met  with  a  view  to  obtain  an 
opportunity  of  discoursing  with  them,  and,  if  possible,  to 
disf'uade  them  from  their  purpose  ;  but  the  separates  treat- 
ed them,  in  a  tumultuous  manner,  with  unchristian  and  op- 
probious  language,  and  revilings.    They  read  among  them, 
a  solemn  remonstrance  and  protestation  against  their  pro- 
ceeding.!    They  nevertheless   met  again  in   February, 
ordaf  ned  John  Hovey  for  their  teaching  elder,  by  prayer 
and  the  imposition  of  the  hands  of  Thomas  Denison,  John 
Austin,  and  Matthew  Smith,  laymen,  but  appointed  to  that 
service  by  the  church.*     In  July,  they  ordained  Thomas 
Marsh  to  be  teachiiig  elder  in  the  same  church,  by  the 
iniposition  of  the  hands  of  John  Hovey,  Matthe\v  Smith, 
iMK.I  Thomas  Denison.     In  September  following,  they  or- 
dained Solomon  Paine,  at  Canterbury,  to  be  the  teaching 
older  of  what  they  called  the  church  there,  by  •'     'rnposi- 
tion  of  the  haiKls  of  John  Hovey,  Matthew  Smi;        ededi- 
ah  Hyde,  Thomas  Stevens,  and  one  Warren,      nic  next 
day  Thomas  Stevens  was  ordained,  in  like  manner,  teach- 
ing elder  of  a  separate  church  at  Plainfield. 

The  pastors  of  the  chur-ches  in  thi^  county  of  Windham, 
deeply  atibcted  with  these  proceedings,  convened  their 
churches,  in  consociation,  in  Scotland,  on  the  13th  of  Jan- 
il.n"i7th  '^^'T'  1747.  to  take  into  consideration,  and  give  advice  re- 
lative to  thtr  lamented  divisions  and  errors  which  had  aris- 
en in  the  county ;  and  to  hear  the  information  which  a 
committee,  appointed  by  the  association,  had  to  give  con- 
cerning them.     Having  received  sufficient  evidence  of  the 

+  Doings  of  the  association  of  Windham  county,  January,  1747. 

*  The  reason  why  Jolin  Hovey  was  chosen  and  ordained,  instead  of 
Deacon  Tlioiuas  Marah,  I  suppose  was  this,  that  Marsh  was  arrested  and 
cn;ninittcd  to  prieon  oa  the  day  appointed  for  his  ordination,  for  separating 
and  [ireaching. 


Theconro. 
rial  ion 
meet  at 
Inrii 
Jan.  17tli, 
M7. 


Chap.  VIH. 


CONNECTICUT. 


190 


principles  and  proceedings  of  the  brethren  who  hadscpn-  Book  if. 
ntrd  themselves  from  the  churches,  they  sent  notifications  s^^^'-^,' 
to  Mr.  Elisha  and  to  Mr.  Solomon  Paine,  deacon  Marsh, 
and  Mr.  Thomas  Stephens,  giving  them  an  account  of  the 
information  which  Ihey  had  received,  and  desiring  them 
to  appear  before  thd  pastors  and  churches  from  which 
\]]oy  had  separated,  or  before  a  committee  of  the  consocia- 
tion, and  to  offer  what  they  had  to  say  in  their  own  vindi- 
cation. The  consociation  then  recommended  it  to  the  se- 
veral churches  in  the  county  to  keep  a  day  of  solemn  fast- 
ing and  prayer,  between  that  time  and  the  second  Tues- 
day in  February  next,  to  seek  the  Divine  direction  in  that 
day  of  division  and  error,  and  to  supplicate  the  pouring 
out  of  God's  holy  spirit  upon  the  people.  They  then  ad- 
journed to  the  second  Tuesday  in  February^ 

On  the  nth  of  February,  the  council  met  according  to 
ihe  adjournments  After  the  council  had  been  opened  with 
prayer,  the  facts,  evidence,  confessions  of  faith,  and  cove-  . 
nants  of  the  separate  churches,  and  the  whole  matter  res-^^""^' 
peeling  them  were  fully  considered,  and  such  remarks  made,  couocil- 
on  those  things  which  were  wrong,  as  the  council  judged 
necessary  and  expedient.  They  particularly  remarked 
on  their  confession  of  faith ;  that  though  in  general  it  was 
orthodox,  yet  it  was  vet-y  deficient,  in  respect  to  the  de- 
scription of  the  offices,  work,  and  mediation  of  Christ ;  the 
nature  of  saving  faith,  the  institutions  and  ordinances  of 
the  gospelj  and  the  instituted  worship  of  God  in  church 
assemblies  1  That  in  every  instance,  f  l  which  they  had 
deviated  from  the  confessions  of  faith  professed  frotn  the 
beginning  by  the  churches  of  Christ  in  this  land,  they  had 
marred  the  sense,  or  perverted  the  scripture  doctrine  of 
faith,  ot  at  least  rendered  them  ambiguous  :  so  that  under 
pretence  of  greater  purity  and  reformation,  they  had  open- 
ed a  door,  and  paved  the  way,  to  Moraviain^  Antinomian, 
Anabaptistical,  and  Quakerish  errors :  and  that,  under  at 
pretence  of  congregational  discipline,  they  had  set  up  as  ab- 
solute an  independency  as  ever  was  heard  of  in  the  church. 

They  also  remarked  on  these  as  great  errors,  "  That 
there  are  two  meanings  in  the  bible,  a  doctrinal  aind  spiri- 
tual ;  that  a  spiritual  meaning  lies  hid  under  all  passages 
of  scripture,  which  no  man  can  come  to  the  knowledge  of, 
but  by  the  special  revelation-  or  opening  of  the  spirit  of 
God  :  That  saving  faith,  is  a  firm  or  sure  persuasion  that 
Christ  died  for  me ;  and  that  I  should  have  life  and  salva- 
tion by  him ;  and  that  assurance  is  the  essence  of  faith : 
That  the  ministers  and  churches  in  this  land  are  Popish, 
and  antichristian."    They  remarked  on  the  affecting  proof 

Z 


191 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  Vllf. 


1747. 


f!r!<i>lvt'si 
•  >r  the 
Council. 


Hook  if.  they  liiul,  of  the  errors  and  ignorance  of  the  persons,  whg 
were  the  teachers  of  the  separate  churches ;  their  need  to 
he  taught  what  were  the  first  principles  of  the  oracles  ot 
God;  and  their  utter  unfitness  to  expound  the  scriptures, 
and  act  as  officers  and  teachers  in  the  church. 

The  consociation,  after  having  made  their  remarks,  cam* 
lo  the  following  resolutions,  in  which  they  were  unAniniou«. 
"  That  the  churches  in  this  county,  do  steadfastly  adhere  u, 
the  confession  of  faith,  drawn  up  by  the  assembly  of  di- 
vines  at  Westminster,  and  the  same  which  has  been  pro- 
i'essed  and  owned  by  our  fathers,  in  the  Cambridge  and 
iSaybrook  platforms,  owning  the  great  doctrines  of  the 
scriptures,  summarily  contained  in  them :  That  there  is 
jiot  any  just  ground  of  separation,  from  churches  wherein 
the  true  faith  and  doctrine  of  the  gospel  is  professed  and 
maintained,  the  pure  word  of  God  preached,  and  the  sa- 
craments duly  administered,  according  to  the  appointmem 
of  Christ  in  the  holy  scriptures  :  That  the  separate  peo- 
ple here  treated  of,  have  not  taken  measures  in  a  scriptur- 
rd  and  gospel  way,  and  according  to  Christ's  appointment, 
to  convince  these  churches  of  departing  from  the  true  faith 
or  doctrine  of  the  gospel,  and  ordinances  of  Christ,  and  the 
preaching  of  the  pure  word  of  God  in  them,  or  of  the  cor- 
rupt administration  of  sacraments,  before  theii  separation; 
That  their  separation  has  been  carried  on  in  an  uncharita- 
ble, unchristian  manner,  without  any  due  regard  to  tho 
peace  and  edification  of  the  church,  and  the  rules  of  ihr 
gospel :  That  they  have  manifestly  departed  from  the  tnio 
faith,  or  doctrine,  delivered  in  the  gospel,  and  the  ordinan- 
ces of  Christ,  as  delivered  in  his  word  :  That  their  sepa- 
rations and  practices  thereon,  are  antichristian,  divisive, 
rending  the  visible  body  of  Christ,  and  casting  off  the  au- 
thority which  he  has  instituted  in  his  church  for  edification, 
and  abundantly  warned  against  and  forbidden  in  the  gos- 
pel :  That  these  chufoires  ought  to  look  upon  those  bodies 
of  professing  christians,  continuing  in  these  errors  and 
practices,  as  scandalous  and  disorderly  walkers,  and  ac- 
cordingly to  withdraw  communion  from  them ;  not  hereby 
precluding  particular  churches,  but  judging  it  their  duty, 
to  use  such  farther  gospel  measures,  as  are  suitable  to  con- 
vince and  reclaim  particular  persons  among  them,  as  they 
see  their  particular  cases  shall  require." 
,  As  it  had  been  reported,  that  some  of  the  ministers  of  I 
that  county  had  held  and  promoted  some  of  the  errors  [ 
mentioned  and  condemned  in  this  result,  particularly  the 
certainty  of  one  christian's  knowledge  of  another,  and  the 
preaching  of  unauthorised,  illiterate  persons ;  and  that  they  j 


HAP.  VFH. 


CONNECTICUT. 


]9a 


liavc  taught  and  held  that  outcries,  ami  bodily  agitation««,  Book  U. 
wrrc  evidences  of  the  presence  and  influence  of  the  spirit  s^-v^^^ 
of  God,  the  council  declared,  "That  they  had  enquired    1717. 
into  those  things,  and  found  that  not  one  minister  in  the 
.ounty  held  them  ;  and  that  they  had  abundantly  declared 
u.  in  the  printed  letter  of  the  associated  pastors,  to  the  scv- 
rnil  societies  in  the  county."* 

There  was  this  year,  a  separate  church  formed  in  the  chiircli 
iirst  society  in  Preston,  and  Mr.  Paul  Park  was  ordained  formed, 
;hcir  pastor  in  the  separate  manner.     The  enthusiasm  of-^j''":!*  |*- 
he  separate  ministers  at  this  time  ran  so  high,  and  they  oldaiiidj 
iiad  such  ideas  of  the  special  and  immediate  influence  of  July  iiti' 
he  divine  spirit,  that  in  the  solemn  charge  which  was  giv- 
en him,  as  I  have  been  credibly  informed,  it  was  enjoined 
ipon  riim,  by  no  means  ta  study  or  premeditate   what  he 
hould  say  in  public  ;  but  to  s^sak  as  the  spirit  should  give 
him  utterance. 

About  the  same  time,  a  separation  took  place  in  Lyme, 
md  Voluntown,  and  not  long  after  in  Windsor,  Enfield,  and 
•Nuffield. 

While  these  things  were  transacted  in  the  eastern  and 
northern  parts  of  the  colony,  a  violent  opposition  was  made 
in  the  county  of  Nevv-Hav'cn,  to  the  new  lights,  and  to  the 
religious  revival  which  had  been  in  the  country.  They 
appeared  to  hesitate  at  no  means  to  suppress  the  zealous 
new  light  ministers.  In  the  year  1741,  when  the  grand 
council  was  about  to  sit  at  Guilford,  the  association  drew 
up  several  resolutions  to  be  laid  before  that  council ; 
imong  which  was  the  following :   "  That  for  a  minister  to. 

I  enter  into  another  minister's  parish,  and  preach,  or  admin- 
ister the  seals  of  the  covenant,  without  the  consent  of,  or 
in  opposition  to  the  settled  minister  of  the  parish,  is  disor- 

I  derly :  notwithstanding,  if  a  considerable  number  of  the 
people  in  the  parish,  are  desirous  to  hear  another  minister 
preach,  provided  the  same  be  orthodox,  and  sound  in  the 
taith,  and  not  notoriously  faulty  in  censuring  other  per- 
sons, or  guilty  of  any  other  scandal,  we  think  it  ordinari- 
ly advisable  for  the  minister  of  the  parish  to  gratify  them, 
by  giving  his  consent,  upon  their  suitable  application  to 
him  for  it,  unless  neighboring  ministers  should  advise  him 
to  the  contrary."  Mr.  Humphreys,  of  Derby,  had  preach-  , 
ed  to  a  baptist  society,  and  on  that  account  was  soon  after 
deprived  of  a  seat  in  the  association.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Tim- 

lothy  Allen,  of  West-Haven,  who  was  an  able  and  zealous 

*  The  result  of  the  consociation  of  Windham  county,  printed  at  Boston, 
J 1747.    This  contains  the  evidence  given  in  concerning  the  separates,  their  ' 

Icoafessionof  faith,  covenant,  &c. 


t9tf 


HISTORY  Oi' 


Chap.  Vlll. 


Book  II. 


Mr.  Allen 
liMUMsed. 


Mr.  Lee 
ordained, 
>'ov.  23d, 
1744. 


Ffoceed- 
ioKS  a- 

gajnst  Mr. 
Ji»obb:ns. 


Calviniittic  preacher,  was  not  pleasing  to  tliem,  and  for 
Kome  little  imprudences,  the  consociation  dismissed  him 
from  hb  ministry.  Thp  principal  article  alledgcd  agains* 
liim,  was,  that  he  had  said,  **  that  the  reading  of  the  scrip. 
turcs,  without  the  concurring  influence  and  operation  of  tlio 
spirit  of  God,  will  no  more  convert  a  sinner,  than  reading  nu 
old  almanack."  Though  it  was  true,  that  no  external  means 
would  convert  a  sinner,  yet  Mr,  Allen  lamented  the  man- 
ner of  expression,  and  offered  his  confession  to  the  associ- 
ation  for  it :  but  the  council  dismissed  him,  and  it  is  said 
with  this  ill  natured  triumph :  that  they  had  blown  out  one 
new  light,  and  that  they  would  blow  Uiem  all  out.  Mr. 
Allen  was  a  man  of  genius  and  talents,  and  an  able  defend- 
er of  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  as  appeared  by  some  oi 
Ills  publications;  he  was  also  a  man  of  strict  morals,  and 
a  powerful  aqd  fervent  preacher.  Though  his  light  was 
not  suffered  to  shine  in  the  county  of  New-Haven,  yet  it 
shone  in  other  churches  until  he  was  between  eighty  and 
ninety  years  of  age.*  ^  '• 

In  1744,  a  church  was  formed  in  Salisbury,  on  the  prin- 
ciples  of  the  Cambridge  platform,  and  the  town  and  church 
made  choice  of  Mr.  Joiiathan  Lee  for  their  pastor ;  and, 
among  other  gentlemen,  made  choice  of  tlic  Rev.  Mr, 
Humphreys,  of  Derby,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Leavenworth,  oi 
\Vaterbury,  arid  the  Rev.  JMr,  Todd,  of  Northbury,  to  as- 
sist in  his  ordination.  He  had  received  a  liberal  education 
at  Yale  College,  and  studied  divinity  under  the  care  ot 
Mr.  Williams,  of  Lebanon  ;  was  of  a  good  moral  (;harac- 
ter,  and  a  zealous  preacher  of  the  Calvinistic  doctrines. 
The  association  suspended  these  gentlemen  from  all  asso- 
ciational  communion,  for  assisting  in  the  ordination  of  Mr. 
Lee,  because  he  and  the  church  had  adopted  the  Cam- 
Tiridge  platform,  and  were  not  on  the  constitutional  esta- 
blishment of  the  colony. 

They  had  now  expelled  from  the  association  all  the  zeal- 
ous Calvinistic  preachers,  or  enthusiasts,  as  they  esteem- 
ed them,  except  Mr.  Robbins,  of  Branford,  a  young  gen- 
tleman Who  had  been  ordained  about  eight  or  ten  years. 
Him  they  had  been  disciplining  and  persecuting  for  some 
time.  Their  proceedings  against  him  were  as;  foUpws : 
There  sprang  up  a  number  of  baptists,  in  the  first  society 
in  Wallingforo,  about  the  year  1 734  or  1 735.  They  had 
built  them  a  meeting-house,  and  two  ministers  had  been 
ordained  over  them*  By  the  advice  of  Governor  Talcott, 
the  society  had  not  required  any  taxes  from  them  for  a 

*In  the  yea*  1800,  he  continued  to  b«  paitoi  iu  Cbetterfidd,  in;  Massa- 
chusetts, \a  the  SCtb  year  of  his  aye         •. .  , .  '.i-jv^-^  ,?  -.!  tn  it?  sk-v.-t.- 


Chap.  VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


197 


nuptber  of  years.  In  the  general  awakening,  tliey  vrrc  Dook  !!• 
iDUScd  to  a  concern  for  the  great  intcroiits  of  their  souls,  s^^/^^^ 
ind  their  pastor,  who  then  was  Mr.  John  Mcrriman,  in  be- 
half of  himself  and  people,  had  desired  some  of  the  stani^ 
iiig  ministers  to  preach  for  them ;  observing,  that  as  to  the 
internals  of  religion,  they  could  heartily  join  with  them, 
though  not  in  the  mode.  Some  of  the  standing  ministers 
had  accepted  their  invitations,  and  preached  to  them.  In 
December,  1 74 1 ,  Mr.  Merriman,  in  behalf  of  himself  and 
people,  wrote  a  letter  to  Mr.  Robbins,  desiring  him  to  como 
atKl  give  them  a  sermon  or  two.  Mr.  Merriman  observed 
in  his  letter,  that  Mr.  Bellamy  had  lately  preached  to  them, 
to  good  satisfaction,  and  with  success,  as  to  several  of  the 
people.  Mr.  Robbins  accepted  the  invitation,  and  appoint- 
ed the  time  when  he  would  be  with  them.  AfiOr  this,  Mr. 
Robbins  was  presented  with  a  paper,  signed  by  furty-twp 
persons,  of  Mr.  Whiitclsey's  congi-egation,  desiring  that  ho 
would  not  preach  to  the  baptists  in  Wallingford.  The 
messengers  who  conveyed  htm  this  letter,  also  presented 
him  with  a  line  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stiles,  of  North-Haven, 
and  Mr.  Hemingway,  of  East-Haven,  advising  him  not  to 
preach  in  the  baptist  meeting-house,  in  Wallingford.  Mr. 
Robbins  could  see  no  reason  why  these  gentlemen  should 
desire  that  he  should  not  preach  to  the  baptists.  It  ap- 
peared to  hini  rather  unkind,  and  contrary  to  a  christian 
bpirit,  to  prevent  their  having  preaching,  when  they  thirst- 
ed for  the  word  of  life,  and  there  was  a  more  than  com- 
mon prospect  of  doing  good.  He  had  given  his  word,  and 
appointea  the  day,  and  though  he  had  some  hesitdiion  with 
respect  to  it  at  nrst,  after  he  had  received  the  letter  from 
Wallingford,  he  determined  to  go  and  preach  according  to 
ills  engagement. 

At  an  adjourned  consociation  at  New-Haven,  February  j  742. 
0th,  1742,  a  complaint  Avas  exhibited  against  him,  by  one 
of  the  delegates  in  consociation,  for  preaching  to  the  bap> 
lists  at  Wallingford.  Mr.  Robbins  could  not  at  that  time, 
nor  ever  afterwards,  obtain  a  copy  of  it,  though  he  frequent- 
ly desired  it :  but  it  was,  so  far  as  Mr.  Robbins  could  re- 
collect, nearly  in  these  words :  Complaint 

"i,  the  subscriber,  do  signify,  by  way  of  complaint  toag»in«t 
this  reverend  consqciation,  that  on  the  6th  day  of  Jan-  '^|^^  ^°^^ 
uary  last  past,  the  Rev.  Philemon  Robbins  did  enter  into 
the  first  society  in  Wallingford,  and  preach  in  a  disorderly  " 

manner,  in  contempt  of  the  authority  of  this  consociation, 
without  the  consent  of  tlie  Rev.  Mr.  Whittelsey,  pastor  of 
said  society,  contrary  to  the  act  of  the  Guilford  council, 
tontrary  t^  the  act  of  ihjj^  consociation,  and  contraiy  to- 


108 


HI8T0RV  OF 


Chap.  VIK. 


Mr.  Rob- 
biiik^  an- 
swtT  to  the 
c'uiu* 
I)laiQt. 


Resolves  of 
the  eouncil 
relative  to 
Mr.  Rob- 

hin.s. 


the  (Icsiiv  ol"  two  neighboring  ministers,  and  a  great  num-, 
ber  of  church  mpmbers  in  Wallingfonl." 

(Si|rne(l)  Theophilua  Yale. 

Until  this  time,  Mr.  Rohbins  had  never  honrd  of  any 
uneasiness  Hmong  his  own  people,  nor  complaint  or  fault 
found  with  him  for  preaching  to  the  baptists.  Neither  ihf: 
compiuinant  nor  any  other  person  mentioned  it  to  him  iti 
jH'ivatc  as  a  fault.  The  complaint  was  exhibited  in  vioh. 
lion  of  the  cxprcs.s  comiuiuid  of  Christ,  in  the  cightpentli  ot 
Matthew  ;  and  without  giving  him  even  a  copy  of  the  com- 
plaint,  or  any  citation  to  appear  before  the  consociation, 
or  allowing  him  time  to  prepare  for  his  defence,  called 
liim  to  answer,  contrary  to  all  regular  proceedings,  cither 
in  civil  or  pcclesiasticai  alVairs.  Mr.  llobbins  pleaded  to 
this  eflecl.  ''hat  with  respect  to  the  resolutions  of  the  Guil 
ford  count  he  knew  nothing  of  them,  at  the  time  of  hi> 
preaching  at  Wallingford ;  that  they  had  never,  as  yet,  been 
adopted  by  this  consociation,  nor  so  much  as  read  in  it ; 
That  as  to  the  resolution  of  this  consociation,  it  was  pass- 
ed only  for  the  consideration  of  the  Guilford  council,  and 
had  answered  its  design  ;  and  there  was  at  the  time  of  his 
preaching,  in  fact,  no  law  against  it  v  and,  that  where 
there  was  no  law,  t^ere  could  be  no  transgression.  Be- 
sides, he  had  not  entered  into  Mr.  Whittelsey's  parish,  bur 
had  preached  to  a  people  entirely  different  from  his,  in  the 
view  of  governor  Talcott,  before  his  death,  and  of  the 
the  town,  who  treated  them  as  such,  as  they  gathered  no 
taxes  from  them,  any  more  than  frt>m  the  inhabitants  of 
any  other  town  or  society.  He  observed  further,  that  the 
legislature  owned  them  as  a  lawful  societj^,  by  sending 
them  proclamations  for  fa,9ts  and  thanksgivings.  With 
respect  to  his  preaching,  contrary  to  the  advice  of  two 
neighbouring  ministers,  and  a  great  number  of  church 
members,  he  observed,  that  he  knew  of  no  rule  in  the  word 
of  God,  or  the  Saybrook  platform,  which  obliged  him  to 
comply  with  their  desire  in  his  preaching,  nor  could  he 
see  any  reason  iti  such  desire.  He  observed  that  there 
was  nothing  in  the  complaint  accusinjg  him  of  the  violation 
of  any  of  the  divine  comma  ids,  or  ofdoing  any  thing  con- 
trary to  the  word  of  God. 

The  consociation,  nevertheless,  resolved,  "That  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Robbins'  so  preaching  was  disorderly :  Thai 
Mr.  Robbins  should  not  sit  as  a  member  of  this  council  foi' 
his  disorderly  preaching."  Mr.  Robbins,  upon  the  read- 
ing of  the  resolutions  pf  the  council,  returned  home,  ex- 
pecting no  more  complaints  or  trouble  on  the  account  oi 
hh  pxcaching  to  the  baptists.    But,  very  unexpectedly  to 


TiMP.  VIII. 


LOiNiNECTKLT. 


199 


Itim,  a  complaint  wns  r^xIiiMirri  nffain^t  him,  to  ihp  ns-.0«  Book  IT. 
(iaiion  which  sat  at  Chc'.sliirr,  in  May,   174.].     Mr.  Roh- s^>/-^ 
hins  acridcnially  lioani  ol'il,  soon  after,  hut   hr  could  not    jTtn. 
Iciirn  who  were   thr  complainants,  nor  what   niimhrr  ot 
iliim  there  w«mc,  nor  what  Avcro  the  articlrn  of  complaint, 
livery  thing  relative  fo  it  had  boon  coridnrtj'd  with  the  ut- 
most secrciy.     Jlowcvcr,  hy  one  of  the  nei;;hboring  min- 
isters, he  learned  that  the  arlit  les  of  complaint,  an  nearly 
:iH  he  could  ix'nicmber  them,  were,  ''  That  Mr.  Kobbins  had 
,fi  up  lectures,  without  a  vote  of  the  church  for  it :  That 
he  denied  the  platform  :  That  he  baptized  a  child  at  Ncw- 
)i;iven  :  That  he  was  n  promoter  of  divisions  anti  separn- 
tions  ;  and  that  he  admitted  members  of  the  separate  church 
at  New-Haven  to  communion." 

He  learned  that  the  complainants  were  six  in  number ; 
one  of  them  a  man  who,  for  some  time,  had  scarcely  been 
lompos  mentis,  and  had  not  for  about  two  years  attended 
public  worship.  He  also  became  acquainted  with  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  council,  to  tnect  in  Brnnford,  in  June,  to 
hear  all  matters  of  difficulty,  by  the  appointment  of  the  as- 
sociation. Mr.  Robbins  hearing  who  were  the  ministers 
that  were  appointed  to  meet  at  Branford,  invited  them  to 
his  house.  He  afterwards  received  a  letter  from  the  scribe 
of  the  association,  acquainting  him  that  a  council  was  to 
meet  at  Branford,  the  second  Tuesday  in  June,  to  enquire 
into  their  difficulties,  and  naming  the  gentlemen  of  whom  it 
was  to  consist ;  but  mentioning  no  articles  of  complaint. 
But,  before  the  time  appointed  for  the  meeting  of  the  coun- 
cil, the  principal  complainants  came  to  Mr.  Robbins,  and 
desired  to  make  peace.  They  said  if  they  could  make  up 
the  breach  among  themselves,  there  need  be  no  more  difVi- 
culty.  Mr.  Roboins  observed,  that  if  he  should  satisfy 
them,  the  other  complainants,  who  were  not  present,  mights 
not  be  satisfied.  They  said  they  would  go  and  call  the 
others.  They  all  came  but  two ;  one  was  not  at.  home,  and 
ihc  other  left  it  with  his  brethren  to  act  for  hm. 

Mr.  Robbins  then  asked,  what  were   their  articles  of ^citu- 
grievance;  but  they  had  no  copy  of  them,  nor  did  <^hcy  "!"?*  ^'  ^ 
seem  to  be  able  to  recollect  them.     He  then  repeated  what  lutwtieii 
he  had  heard  them  to  be.     They  said  those  were  the  arti-  Mr.  Uoh- 
cles.    Mr.  Robbins  then  said,  to  make  peace,  I  will  call  a  '""*  ""'• 
church  meeting,  and  take  their  voto  respecting  lectures.  pi";|ia"{!]. 
With  respect  to  his  denying  the  platform,  tiiey  meant  by 
it,  his  not  going  to  dssocialions,  thus  making  the  punish- 
ment of  a  foi'mer  offence,  the  ground  of  subsequent  accusa- 
tion ;  he  said,  1  will  go  to  the  next,  and  endeavour  to  make, 
upwiththein.     With  respegt  to  (lie  third  article,  his  bap- 


500 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  V||I, 


Book  11.  tir.ing  n  rKM  nl  Nrw-IInvcn,  he  Raul  th.il  Iip  liad  jjivrn  ilw 
>^-v^^/(onMM  iiition  Kniisfactioii  with  respect  lo  lhn».  Ah  io  U\s 
1 743.  rnroiirjj^in;;  sopBritlcH,  hy  which  ihcy  meant  his  proiichitii; 
»o  tho  srpamlcs  in  Ncw-Hrtvcn,  ho  said  he  wrwU\  noi 
prrnrh  fo  (hnn  again,  until  thoy  hn(l  got  into  noinr  oih'T 
lonn :  until  n  rhnrch  flhouid  or  gathnred,  or  the  p<<op|(> 
shouM  luko  brncfit  of  the  act  of  tolomtion.  With  rcnprcf 
to  hJH  lulmission  of  the  memherH  of  the  Heparaio  church  ai 
Ncw-IIavcn,  he  promised,  he  would  not  admit  thosninrm 
hers  at  present.  Withi  these  answers,  the  complnitKini^ 
declared  themselves  satisfied  ;  and  in  consequence  of  ihf  ir 
satisfaction,  they  readily  subscribed  the  following  lettpr: 

"  To  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Jacob  Hemingway,  &c.  desirrd 
))y  the  association  of  New-Haven  cotmty,  lo  come  lo  IJran- 
lord,  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  June,  Anno  Domini,  1743; 
fo  inspect  some  affuirs  of  difficulty,  between  our  Rev.  jkis- 
tor  and  us: 
"  Rev.  Gentlemen,  .       .; 

"  We  hereby  inform  you,  that  on  Tuesday  last  we  went 
<o  {!»e  house  of  our  Rev.  pastor,  lo  discourse  on  some  things 
•  hat  have  been  matters  df  grievance  to  us ;  and  we  have 
'iiscoursed  On  each  of  the  articles  that  you  have  been  ap- 
prised of,  and  whatever  else  we  wanted  to  discourse  of,  re- 
lating to  anv  difFerence  between  us ;  and  our  pastor  has 
given  us  full  satisfaction  in  all  things ;  so  that  we  are  in 
good  agreement  and  union  ;  and  do  (we  hope  heartily)  for- 
get and  forgive  all  past  offences,  or  matters  of  difncuhy, 
Avhaf  soever.  We  desire  to  acknowledge  the  goodness  ot 
fiod,  herein,  and  return  thanks  to  you,  gentlemen,  for 
your  good  designs  &nd  purposes  to  promote  what  We  havp 
ho  happily  concluded  ;  and  do  rest  your  obliged  friends 
«nd  strvaiifi;. 

Abraham  Hoadlt, 
John  Plant, 

Joseph  Frisbie,  for  himsell 
and  John  Rooers, 
John  Baldwin."         • ' 

Nolwillisthnding  this  complete  and  amicable  settlement 
1)etwcen  the  pastor  and  the  people,  the  gentlemen  who 
were  appointed,  met  in  Branford,  and  collected  a  great 
number  of  people,  it  was  supposed  by  sending  round  pri- 
%itte  notices  for  all  who  were  dissatisfied  to  appear. 
They  came,  >viih  all  who  were  inclined  to  hear.  No  arti- 
cles of  complaint  were  exhibited ;  but  the  people  were  al- 
lowed alternately  to  speak,  of  a  variety  of  things,  much  as 
they  pleased.  They  spoke  of  Mr.  Kobbins's  admitting 
Mr.  Davenport  to  preach ;  of  his  holding  night  raeoting!;, 


(MP. 


fff. 


CONNECTICUT. 


101 


;|iat  i*,  ronfrrcnron)  at  his  house,  ami  hnvin^i;  (lisor(lrr<<  Oook  If. 

>iur  atlrr  irctun'S  ;  rryin);  out,  pmyrrs,  and  the  like.        Vi^^^^^i/ 
U'trr  Mr.  KobbiiiA  haiJ   inadr  bin  nnnwer  to  (lip  maltcrit    |7>l,l. 

,|ii(h  were  ihuA  loose ly  ulU>ilKr<i,  the  committro  drew  up 

,rti(  l«'9  of  advice  to  him  ;  with  which,  aftfr  some  correc- 

lons  and  uitcrat ions,  he  complied.     Peace  was  declared, 

,11(1  nil  were  natiftfied  and  contented. 
Mr.  Uohbins,  according  to  his  rngogemcnt,  called  a 

hiirrh  meeting  to  know  the  minds  of  his  brethren  with  res- 
|i((  I  to  his  anpointing  lectures,  and  (he  church  voted  to 
itave  it  with  mm  to  appoint  them  as  he  pleased.  Accor- 
uKijj  to  his  promise,  he  went  to  the  next  association,  whicli 
was  held  at  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stiles',  in  North-IIaven,  to  en- 
deavor to  obtain  a  good  standing  wiiH  hia  brethren.  He 
ini|iiircd   of  them   whether  the  vote  of  the  consociation, 

( (hiding  him  from  sitting  with  them,  secluded  him  also 
iiotn  sitting  in  the  association  ?  They  replied,  that  the  great- 
'  r  impSicd  the  less,  and  that  he  could  not  be  allowed  to  sit 
111  the  association. 

The  association  then  presented  him  with  the  following 
CLiifession  :  "  Whereas  I,  Philemon  Robbins,  was  con- 
demned by  the  consociation  of  New-Haven  county,  for  dis- 
orderly preaching,  in  the  first  society  in  Wallingford ;  I 
do  now  acknowledge,  that  my  preaching  there  was  disor- 
derly ;  and  I  purpose  to  preach  disorderlv  no  more,  and 
desire  the  reverend  association  of  New-Haven  county  to 
overlook  it  ;  I  purposing  and  resolving,  if  opportunity  fa- 
vor, to  go  to  said  consociation,  and  aclcnowledge  the  said 
disorderly  preaching  before  them,  in  order  to  be  restored 
10  their  favor." 

As  he  could  not  acknowledge  his  preaching  to  the  bap- 
tists was  contrary  to  the  virom  of  God,  or  the  Saybrook 
platform,  and  as  he  did  believe  in  his  conscience,  that  it 
tvas  not  disorderly,  he  refused  to  subscribe  the  confession. 
He  offered  a  confession  of  his  own,  but  the  association 
would  not  accept  it.  But  as  the  people  were  uneasy  that 
he  was  not  on  good  terms  with  the  association,  and  as  a 
i;ood  understanding  with  his  brethren  in  the  vicinity  was 
desirable,  he  went  to  the  association  the  next  year  in  May, 
while  it  was  sitting  in  North-Branford,  and  offered  three 
( onfessions  to  the  association  :  the  first  was  in  these  words  : 
'  I  the  subscriber  do  acknowledge  that  I  preached  at  Wal- 
lingford, within  the  bounds  of  the  first  society,  and  without 
the  consent  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Whittelsey,  pastor  of  the  first  ^ 

society,  on  January  6th,  1741-2,  and  now  do  acknowl- 
edge, that  my  preaching  there  was  a  breach  of  the  order 
'hat  the  ecclesiastical  authority  of  New-Haven  county  have 
A  2 


1 


titw 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  Vllf.  I  ,,„^,.  vill 


Book  11.  come  mio,  by  an  agreement  and  vote,  A.  D.  1741,  and  so 
v^"v^^/  disorderly  preaching  in  that  respect,  as  it  was  contrary  to 
said  vote.  And  now  1  declare  that  it  is  my  full  purpose, 
at  present,  not  to  preach  contrary  to  said  vote  of  said  an 
'  thority  ecclesiasticfd,  for  time  to  come,  nor  contrary  to  the 
act  of  the  general  assembly  in  May,  1 742.  And  further,  ( 
liiimbly  ask  that  the  association  of  New-Haven  countv 
Would  overlook  what  is  past,  and  receive  me  to  sit  with 
them,  &c.  as  formerly,  and  recommend  me  to  be  received 
by  the  consociation,  upon  my  making  this  acknowledg- 
ment before  them,  which  I  staijd  ready  to  do  when  oppor 
tunity  presents.  Philemon  Robbins." 

It  was  a  long  time  debated  in  council,  whether  this  con- 
fession should  be  received  or  not.  Some  were  for  it,  bur 
finally  a  majority  appeared  against  it,  and  it  was  rejected. 
Thry  said  they  should  be  afraid  ever  to  see  Mr.  Whi*»ol- 
scy  again  if  they  should  receive  it.  He  offered  .em ;» 
second,  but  that  did  not  satisfy  them.  He  told  them  ho 
had  a  third  to  offer,  if  they  would  hear  it*  They  refused ; 
but  one  of  the  association  wished  to  have  it,  and  promised 
to  return  it  to  him  again,  and  there  was  no  doubt  but  th( 
.association  heard  it.     It  was  as  foHoweth  : 

"  1  the  subscriber  do  humbly  acknowledge  that  I  preach- 
ed at  Wallingford,  within  the  bounds  of  the  first  society,  to 
the  jjcople  called  the  baptists,  January  6th,  A.  D.  1741-2. 
for  which  the  reverend  consociation  have  secluded  me 
from  the  privilege  of  sitting  with  thetn,  and  people  at  homo 
and  abroad  have  been  uneasy :  I  do  therefore  declare, 
that,  though  if  I  was  instrumental  of  any  spiritual  good  to 
any  souls  there,  1  must  so  far  rejoice  ;  yet  upon  every  oth- 
er account,  I  am  sorry  that  I  went ;  and  desire  the  associa- 
tion and  consociation  of  said  county  to  overlook  it,  and 
receive  me  to  sit  with  them,  &;c.  as  formerly* 

pHrLEMON  ROBBINS." 

Finding  that  nothing  which  he  could  cernscientiously  say 
t^'ould  satisfy  the  association,  he  went  home,  hoping  that 
what  he  had  said  might  give  satisfaction  to  his  own  people, 
though  it  had  not  to  the  association* 
Mav  '2911)  The  next  year,  by  implicit  advice  of  one  of  the  associa- 
1145.  tion,  who  had  made  himself  very  busy  about  Branford  af- 
fairs, another  complaint  was  drawn  up  and  carried  to  th< 
association,  sitting  ai  Amity,  May  29th,  1745.  This  was 
managed  in  the  same  private  manner  as  the  other  com- 
plaint. Nothing  had  been  said  to  him  by  the  compIainantt>, 
lior  any  opportunity  given  him  to  attempt  their  satisfaction. 
He  did  not  so  much  as  hear  of  the  complaint,  until  somr 
t^mc  after  it  vras  gone  to  the  association.    After  he  rccci'v 


**■•  ^'"^'  I  Chap.  Vlll. 


CONNECTICUT. 


QO'i 


rd  the  news  of  it,  and  that  a  rounril  was  roniinj;  again  to  Book  11. 
Hranford,  he  could  not  learn  who  the  complainants,  or  v-i^^r"^' 
what  the  articles  of  complaint,  were.     But  some  days  l>e- 
lorc  the  council  met,  the  three  following  papers  were 
iiandcd  to  him. 

♦*  To  the  reverend  association  of  N'^w-Haven  county : 

We,  the  subscribers,  belonging  to  the  fiivt  society  in 
Branford,  do  humbly  request  you,  reverend  gentlemen,  to 
rake  into  consideration  the  ditlicullies  and  grievances  wo 
labor  under,  with  the  Rev.  Philemon  Robbins,  our  pastor, 
in  not  coming  up  to  his  promise  to  get  into  good  standing 
uith  the  association,  which  were  the  terms  of  his  reconcil- 
iation with  this  church  and  congregation.  We  also  appre- 
hend he  is  led  by  an  enthusiastic,  censorious  spirit,  to  tho 
great  grief  of  a  g;reat  part  of  this  church  and  congregation.'' 

Joseph  Frisbie,  and  others, 
(Q  the  number  of  fifteen. 

This  procedure  was  very  extraordinary.  With  respect 
to  the  first  article,  it  was  not  true,  and  the  association  could 
not  but  know  that  it  was  not,  as  a  great  par'  of  them 
hid  been  at  Branford,  and  heard  all  their  affairs.  All  that 
Mr.  Robbins  promised,  was,  (hat  he  would  go  to  the  asso- 
ciation, and  endeavour  *o  get  into  good  standing  with  his 
brethren.  He  had  been,  and  taken  great  pains,  and  said 
all  that  he  could  say,  with  truth  and  a  good  conscience. 
The  other  part  of  the  complaint  contained  only  a  general 
declaration  of  the  apprehension  of  the  complainants,  that 
he  was  led  by  an  enthusiastic  and  censorious  spirit,  with- 
out mentioning  a  single  fact  to  support  it,  or  giving  any 
intimation  to  the  accused,  what  he  would  be  called  to  an<  . 
swer  in  consequence  of  it.  Such  general  charges  are  al- 
ways rejected,  in  all  regular  proceedings.  Besides,  the  re- 
ceiving the  coftiplaint,  (when  neither  of  the  previous  steps 
expressly  commanded  in  Matthew  xviii.  which,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  greatest  divines,  is  an  universal  rule  to  be 
observed  in  all  cases  of  discipline,  had  been  adopted,) 
was  wholly  unscriptural ;  it  was  inconsistent  with  broth- 
erly love,  and  the  very  spirit  of  the  gospel. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  association  of  New-Haven  county, 
regularly  convened  at  Amity,  May  28th,  1745. 
"  To  Mr.  Joseph  Frisbie,  of  Branford — 

"  Upon  the  representation  that  you  and  fourteen  more 
of  the  south  society  in  Branford  have  made  to  this  associa- 
tion, this  association  have  appointed  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Jacob  Hemingway,  Isaac  Stiles,  and  Thomas  Ruggles,  a 
committee  to  repair  to  Branford,  to  enquire  into  the  prem- 
ises, at  what  time  and  place  you  shall  appoint  and  desire, 


'20i 


HISTORY  OK 


Chap.  \\\[    I  ^^ik?.  VllI, 


BoQK  11.  and  seasonably  inform  said  committee  of;  who  are  direci- 
^.rffv'W  od  to  make  their  report  of  the  affair  to  this  association,  at 
1743.    thfii*  next  meeting.         By  order  of  the  association, 

Thomas  Rrooles,  Scribe." 
The  complainants  warned  the  gentlemen  to  meet  on  ilio 
third  Monday  in  June,  at  10  o'clock,  at  the  house  of  Oi- 
chard  Guy.  Neither  Mr.  Robbins  nor  his  friends  had  any 
notification,  or  desire  from  the  association  or  their  commit- 
tee, to  meet  them  ;  but  as  the  affair  respected  a  complaint 
exhibited  against  him,  in  which  the  church  and  society 
were  interested,  as  well  as  himself,  he  and  his  friends 
wished  to  be  present,  and  to  hear  what  was  to  be  said  up- 
on  the  subject.  They  therefore  went  to  the  house  whore 
the  gentlemen  were  met,  and  Mr.  Robbins  observed,  that 
he  understood  they  were  come  on  his  account,  and  that  he 
•\vas  come  to  see  them,  but  would  not  interrupt  them ;  and 
that  upon  their  desire  he  would  withdraw.  One  of  the 
principal  gentlemen  in  the  town,  observed  the  same  for  him- 
self, and  ine  friends  of  Mr.  Robbins,  who  were  present. 
The  committee  of  the  association  allowed  Mr.  Robbins, 
his  deacons,  and  one  or  two  more  of  his  friends,  to  stay, 
but  ordered  the  rest  to  depart.  They  proceeded  to  read 
the  first  confession  which  Mr.  Robbins  made  to  the  asso- 
ciation, to  know  whether  it  was  satisfactory  to  the  com- 
plainants. When  it  had  been  read,  by  the  order  of  Mr. 
Stiles,  Mr.  Ruggles  represented  its  deficiency,  and  the 
reasons  why  the  association  would  not  receive  it.*  The 
<:omplainants  said  but  little; ;  the  principal  conversation 
"was  between  Mr.  Robbins,  and  the  committee  of  the  asso- 
ciation, relative  to  his  getting  into  good  standing  with 
them  ;  but  they  could  agree  upon  nothing  with  respect  to 
that.  Mr.  Robbins  made  this  proposal ;  that  if  it  would 
make  peace  in  the  society,  he  would  resign  the  ministry 
among  them  :  They  might  go  to  Cambridge,  New-Haven, 
or  wherever  else  they  pleased,  and  obtain'  a  candidate  to 
preach  to  them  two  or  three  months ;  and  when  his  time  of 
tjrobation  was  expired,  if  they  would  settle  him,  he  would 
ouitthe  ministry.  But  the  mmisters  were  so  sensible  that 
ihis  weld  not  succeed,  that  they  did  not  advise  to  the 
measure.  The  committee  of  the  association,  before  they 
left  the  town,  went  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Robbins  and  urged 
him  io  attend  the  next  association,  and  make  one  attempt 
more  to  obtain  his  good  standing  ;  but  he  imagined  if 
would  be  in  vain,  as  he  could  offer  nothing  more  than  he 
Jhad  offered.    Nevertheless,  upon  their  importunity,  and 

*  Two  of  the  gentlemen  appointed  by  the  association  only  were  pre? 
c-nt :  Mr,  Hemingway  did  not  attend.  '  • 


t«AP.  vni. 


CONNECTICUT. 


lOi 


nopine  that  it  might  give  some  presppt  case,  to  those  who  Book  II. 
,vrre  dissatisfied  among  his  people  consentrd  to    —   ■  ■ 


lelt 


This  the  committee  reported  to  the     .  uplainants,  and 
the  town. 

According  to  his  agreement  he  went  to  the  next  associ- 
ation, at  Waterbury,  in  SeptcmJjer,  1745,  and  otlbrcd  the 
following  confession  to  the  association  : 

"I, the  subscriber, do  humbly  acknowledge  that  I  prcach- 
(d  at  Wallingford,  within  the  bounds  of  the  first  society, 
lolhe  people  called  the  baptists,  on  Jaq.  6th,  1741-2,  for 
which  1  have  been  excluded  the  consociation  of  New-Ha- 
ven county  ;  which  has  occasioned  great  uneasiness  to  mr, 
and  among  my  people.  And  though  I  cannot  (after  more 
than  three  years  study,  meditation,  and  .prayer,  for  light  in 
the  matter,)  be  convinced  in  conscience  that  my  so  preach- 
ing was  contraiy  to  the  holy  scriptures,  or  the  mind  of  God; 
yet,  I  am  free  to  own  and  acknowledge  the  circumstances 
that  attended  it,  viz.  that  it  was  without  the  consent  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Whittelsey,  pastor  in  Wallingford,  contrary  to 
the  desire  and  advice  of  two  ministers,  and  a  considerable 
iicraber  of  church  members  in  Wallingford  ;  and  farther, 
that  it  was  contrary  to  the  vote  of  the  Rev.  consociation  of 
New-Haven  coiinty ;  a  reverend  and  worthy  body  of  gen- 
tlemen, whom  I  esteem  and  honor.  And  I  acknowledge 
my  preaching  as  above,  to  be  disorderly  in  this  respect,  W". 
it  was  contrary  to  said  vote  of  said  authority  ecclesiastical. 
And  now,  gentlemen,  I  humbly  beg  forgiveness :  let  my 
ignorance  of  its  being  a  crime  apologize  for  me,  that  I  may 
be  restored.  And  1  would  humoly  offer  one  motive  to  en- 
gage your  compassion,  viz,  a  prospect  of  peace  among  my 
people,  who  have  been  uneasy ;  for  I  think  that  in  other 
respects,  they  are  friendly  and  kind ;  but  this  case  has 
been  an  uneasiness  >vith  them,  and  a  principal  uneasiness, 
if  I  may  judge  by  their  complaints,  or  what  I  hear  from 
jheir  oWn  mouths.  And  therefore,  gentlemen,  as  you  are 
professed  lovers  of  peace,  you  will  undoubtedly  promote  it, 
by  restoring  your  unworihy  servant. 

"  Philemon  Robbins." 

The  association  would  not  accept  it,  nor  give  it  so  much 
as  a  second  reading.  The  association  insisted  on  his  mak- 
ing a  confession  for  disorderly  prgaching  and  praying, 
which  he  could  not  do. 

Soon  after  the  association,  a  copy  of  the  last  confession 
which  had  been  drayrn  for  Mr.  Robbins  to  make,  was  hand- 
ed about  the  society,  to  show  on  what  easy  terms  the  as- 
sociation were  ready  to  restore  him,  and  how  obstinate  he 
was ;  to  prejudice  the  people  against  him,  and  increase 


1745. 


i 


I 


.^j^ 

'■'^A 


306 


HISTORY  OF 


ClIAl'.  VIII. 


Oct.  21 9t, 

1745. 


DooK  II.  their  uneasiness  with  their  pastor  :  ami  a  threatening  wn< 
given  out  by  some  of  the  association,  that  before  loii^,  ilif 

{)eopIe  should  have  the  whole  matter  in  black  and  white, 
n  this  state  of  the  business,  Mr.  Robbins  judged  it  exnr- 
dient  to  make  his  people  acauaintcd  with  the  whole  affair 
and  as  a  society  meeting  haa  been  warned  on  Monday  the' 
1 4th  of  October,  Mr.  Robbins,  on  the  Lord's  day,  after 
the  public  service  was  ended,  addressed  the  people  in  thh 
manner,  viz : 

"  1  understand  you  are  to  have  a  society  meeting  on  the 
morrow  :  I  purpose  to  attend  it  myself,  and  give  the  soci- 
ety a  particular  account  of  my  relation  to  the  association, 
and  their  proceedings  with  me  ;  and  shall  desire  to  know 
their  minds  in  some  particulars  relating  thereto ;  and  there- 
fore desire  them  to  be  universally  present." 

At  the  society  meeting,  Mr.  Robbins  laid  before  them, 
the  whole  proceedings  of  the  association  and  consociation 
relative  to  him,  and  what  he  had  done  to  be  reconciled  to 
them,  and  withdrew.  The  meeting  was  very  full,  and  the 
following  votes  were  passed. 

"  1.  That  this  society  is  of  opinion,  that  what  our  pas- 
tor has  offered  to  the  association  of  New-Haven  county, 
relating  to  his  preaching  to  the  baptists  in  Wallingford,  is 
sufficient." 

"  2.  That  this  society  desire  the  Rev.  Mr.  Robbins  to 
continue  in  the  ministry  among  us,  notwithstanding  his 
preaching  to  the  baptists,  and  what  the  consociation  ol 
New-Haven  county  nave  done  thereon." 

"  3.  That  we  desire  the  Rev.  consociation  and  associa- 
tion not  to  send  any  councils  or  committees  among  us,  un- 
less the  society  desire  it.'' 

"  4.  That  a  particular  people  have  right  to  choose  their 
own  minister;  and  as  no  ecclesiastical  authority  has  right  to 
impose  one  upon  them  without  their  vote  and  consent,  so 
no  authority  has  right  to  censure,  suspend  or  depose  a 
minister  regularly  ordained,  without  the  vote  and  consent  of 
his  people." 

"  5.  That  we  cannot  submit  to  the  acts  or  conclusions 
of  any  councils  respecting  the  ministir  among  us,  that  are 
made  without  the  vote  and  consent  of  this  society." 

Votes  in  the  affirmative,  52-^in  the  negative,  15.       ^ 

At  a  church  meeting  in  Branford,  Nov.  4th,  1 745,  the 
church  passed  the  following  votes : 

"  1 .  That  we  renounce  the  Saybrook  platform,  and  can- 
not receive  it  as  a  rule  of  government  and  discipline  in 
this  church." 

"  2.  That  we  declare  this  church  to  be  a  congregational 
t  hurch." 


tH.\P.  VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


i07 


•  3.  That  wc  receive  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Book  II. 
Testament  as  the  only  perfect  rule  and  platform  of  chiu*ch  n«^-v%^ 
,-overnraent  and  discipline." 

'  •'  4.  That  though  wc  receive  the  scriptures  as  the  ohly 
i^cricci  rule  ;  yet  as  we  know  of  no  human  composure  that 
(Oincs  nearer  to  the  scriptures  in  matters  of  church  gov- 
ernment and  discipline,  than  the  Cambridge  platform  ;  so 
we  approve  of  that  for  substance,  and  take  it  for  our  plat- 
lorin,  agreeably  to  the  word  of  God." 

"  5.  That  we  arc  not  hereby  straightened  in  our  charity, 
but  are  free  to  hold  communion,  not  only  with  congrega-* 
ijonal  churches,  and  church  members  that  are  in  good 
standing,  but  with  those  called  Presbyterian,  and  also 
;viih  iliuse  under  the  Saybrook  platform  regimen." 

"  Voted,  That  in  testimony  of  our  respect  to  other  chur- 
ches, and  freeness  to  commune  with  them ;  we  are  willing 
(hat  our  Rev.  pastor  should  exchange  labours  with  ordain- 
ed ministers  in  New-Haven  couivty,  or  invite  any  of  them 
to  preach  with  us,  as  opportunity  presents." 

The  uneasy  party,  dissatisfied  with  these  votes  of  tho 
rhurch  and  society,  got  a  complaint,  or  prayer,  drawn,  di- 
rected to  the  moderator  of  the  consociation,  to  come  and 
hear,  a'nd  determine  matters  relative  to  Branford.  There 
was  nothing  charged  against  Mr.  Robbins,  more  than  these 
general  articles :  "  That  he  had  not  taken  gospel  methods 
to  get  into  good  standing  with  the  consociation,  and  also  for 
leading  part  of  the  church  to  fling  off  the  authority  of  asso- 
ciations and  consociations." 

The  moderator,  on  receiving  this  complaint,  referred  it 
to  the  association  which  was  to  sit  at  East-Guilford,  in  May, 
1746.  What  passed  at  the  association,  was  not  known. 
One  of  the  complainants  went,  but  Mr.  Robbins  was  not 
warned  to  attend,  jkh-  any  of  his  friends.  But  soon  after, 
upon  an  exparte  hearing  entirely,  the  association  came  to 
the  determination  expressed  in  the  following  words : 
'•  The  association,  regularly  convened  at  East-Guilfofd, 

May  27th,  1746, 
To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Philemon  Robbins,  at  Branford.        „    ^„^. 

Rev.  Sir, — A  complaint  against  you  and  a  part  of  your  ^745.  ' 
church,  hath  been  exhibited  to  the  Rev.  moderator  of  the 
consociation  of  this  county  of  New-Haven,  praying  that 
the  said  consociation  may  be  called  to  hear  and  determine 
upon  the  matters  of  uneasiness  and  difficulty,  which  un- 
happily subsist  among  you,  signed  by  a  number  of  breth- 
ren, members  in  full  communion  in  your  church,  and  be- 
low by  a  larger  number  of  members  of  your  society,  re- 
questing the  same  thing  j  as  akoa  paper  of  many  article?-. 


»;^" 


2iHi 


lilbTORY  OF 


t'llAP.  Vlli. 


Book  II.  halh  hrrn  givrn  to  the  said  inodrrator,  wherein  thry  .i' 
^-^■v-^ (use  you,  both  as  to  doctrine  and  practice,  as  also  an  at 
174C.    trsicd  copy  of  some  votes  lately   passed  in  your  churrh 
This  association  having  deliberated  upon  the  prfcmi>(>. 
;iti(l  being  still  desirous,  as  we  always   have  been,  iluti 
your  diificuhies   mieht  be  healed  in  the  most  tender  atxj 
amicable  manner;  do  advise  you,  and  those  with  you,  t(, 
concur  with  the  dissatisfied  party,  in  choosing  three  or  liw 
of  our  body,  and  desire  them  to  come  to  Branford,  and  eti 
doavour  an  accommodation  of  your  difficulties  ;  the  which, 
if  it  be  not  done,  or  the  good  ends  designed  benotattitin- 
ed  thereby,  we  have  advised  the  said  moderator,  after  tho 
end  of  June  next,  if  properly  applied  to  and  informed,  to 
call  the  consociation  of  this  county,  at  suitable  time  and 
place,  to  hear  and  determine  upon  the  premises,  accord- 
ing to  our  ecclesiastical  and  established  constitution. 
A  true  copy.  Test,         Thomas  Ruooles,  Scribe." 
In  this  instrument,  there  was  an  intimation  of  a  number 
ofariiclcs  of  complaint  given  in  to  the  moderator,  but  Mr. 
ilobbins  had  never  heard  or  seen  any  one  of  them,  nor  wa? 
lie  desired  to  appear  before  the  association  to  make  any 
reply  to  them. 

Some  time  after  receiving  the  above  letter,  several  ot 
the  dissatisfied  brethren,  with  the  deacons  of  the  church, 
and  others  of  his  friends,  met  at  Mr.  Robbins'  to  converse 
on  their  affairs;     After  some  conversation  on  the  subject, 
and  what  methods  could  be  taken  for  peace,  one  who  wa« 
j>resent,  applied  himself  to  one  of  the  dissatisfied  party  in 
these  words  :  "  Did  ever  any  of  the  mimsters  put.you  in 
any  way  for  peace  '/     I  have  been  on  your  side,  and  was 
very  uneasy  with  Mr.  Robbins,  and  dd  now  dislike  a  great 
many  things  that  are  past.     I  was  the  promoter  of  the  first 
complaint  that  was  carried  to  the  association,  and  have 
asked  one  and  another  of  the  ministers  what  we  should  do 
for  peace,  but  never  did  any  of  them  put  me  in  any  way  for 
peace,  but  told  me,  if  you  can  get  hold  of  Mr.  Robbins. 
hold  fast.     That  opened  my  eyes,  and  convinced  me  thar. 
they  had  no  desire  for  peace."    To  this  there  was  no  reply. 
In  conversation  with  the  dissatisfied,  Mr.  Robbins  made 
several  proposals  for  an  accommodation :  that  they  should 
refer  their  difficulties  to  a  council ;  the  church  should  nomi- 
nate three,  and  the  dissatisfied  three.     That  they  should 
represent  his  errors  and  faults,  and  that  he  wi6ulu  retract 
all  the  errors,  and  confess  all  the  faults  of  which  they  should 
convict  him,  as  fully  and  openly  as  the  case  required  :  or 
that  the  church  should  propose  one  article  of  agreement, 
and  the  dissatisfied  another,  until  there  were  enough,  thci\ 


''"•  ^^'f-  I  r>.Ar.  vm. 


CONNECTICUT. 


i09 


,rjrh  side  should  comply  with  the  others  articles,  if  they  Book  If. 
wrrr  not  sinful ;  ami  that  he  would  call  a  church  meeting,  s^"v"^ 
r,n(i  know  whether  the  church  would  rescind  their  votes.    174C. 
Jho  dissatisfied  party  would  not  agree  to  cither  of  ikc  pro- 
posals, but  insisted  on  having  three  or  five  of  the  associa- 
tion.    The  brethren  of  the  church  who  were  present,  de- 
f  larod,  "  that  they  could  as  freely  refer  the  matter  to  agy 
three  of  the  dissatisfied  party,  as  to  three  of  the  associa- 
lion."    So  they  parted  without  agreeing  upon  any  terms  of 
accon  modation. 

In  this  state  of  ^fl'airs,  it  was  judged  expedient  to  warn 
a  mepting  of  the  society,  which,  after  a  legal   warnings  ' 

nut  June  16th,  1746,  when  it  was  voted,  "that  this  so- 
fjpty  is  determined  to  abide  bv  the  votes  we  passed,  Octo- 
ber 21st,  1745."  And  as  a  iurther  testimony  of  their  reso- 
lution, they  personally  and  severally  desired  the  clerk, 
in  open  meeting,  to  subscribe  their  names  to  said  vote. 
Sixty  five  subscribed  in  open  meeting  ;  afterward  twelve 
more,  who  were  absent  at  the  society  meeting,  went  tp  the 
ficrk  and  desired  him  to  enrol  their  names  with  those  who 
were  in  the  vote.  In  the  meeting  were  twenty  eight  on- 
ly who.  dissented.  The  society  voted,  "  that  John  Rus- 
sell, Esq.  William  Gould,  Esq.  and  Samuel  Rose,  or  any 
mo  of  them,  be  a  committee  to  represent  this  society,  be- 
fore any  ecclesiastical  council,  that  may  be  called  among 
us,  to  lay  the  votes  of  this,  and  the  meeting  in  October 
last,  before  them ;  also  to  deny  and  earnesUy  declare  a- 
gainst  their  jurisdiction."  It  was  reported,  after  the 
society  meeting,  when  it  was  generally  known  that  the  ju- 
risdiction of  the  council  would  be  denied,  and  neither  an- 
swer given  nor  cause  pleaded  before  them,  that  the  arti- 
cles of  charge  were  greatly  multiplied.  Since  none  of  the 
articles  were  to  be  heard,  it  seems  that  the  disaffected  im- 
agined it  Would  help  their  cause,  to  multiply  articles  of 
complaint  against  Mr.  Robbins,  both  respecting  his  doc- 
trines and  conduct. 

Some  time  in  September,  a  number  of  the  disaffected 
people  brought  Mr.  Robbins  the  citation  following : 

"  To  the  Rev.  Philemon  Robbins,  minister  of  the  eldest  Citation  of 
parish  in  Branford,  in  the  county  of  New-Haven,  and  colo-  Mr.  Rob- 
ny  of  Connecticut,  and  pastor  there.  ""' 

"  Rev.  Sir, — ^A  complaint  against  you,  consisting  of 
various  articles,  respecting  both  your  preaching  and 
your  conduct  and  behaviour,  bearing  date,  Branford,  July 
23d,  1746,  signed  Joseph  Frisbie,  a  member  of  said  church, 
(an  attested  copy  of  which  is  ordered  to  be  delivered  to 
you)  being  brought  to  me  the  subscriber,  as  last  modeia- 

B2 


'JIO 


lliSTORV  OF 


CHAf.  VIII.   I  cnxr.  VIII 


1746. 


Book  II.  tor  ol' the  consociation  of  said  Ncw-Havcn  county,  with  w 
rcauost  that  the  consociation  might  be  called,  to  hear, 
juugc  and  detcnnine  upon  the  several  articles  of  complaint, 
according  to  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  and  establish- 
ment of  tnis  government ;  and  the  association  of  this  said 
county,  in  their  last  session  at  East-Guilford,  May  27th. 
last,  having  advised  the  moderator  of  the  said  consociation] 
to  call  the  said  consociation  after  the  end  of  June,  thcti 
next,  if  properly  applied  to,  in  case  the  grievances  and 
dilficultios  in  said  Branford,  first  church  and  society,  were 
not  accommodated,  in  the  method  by  them  prescribed : 
and  being  well  informed  that  they  are  not  so  accommo- 
dated ;  1  have  therefore  given  order  for  the  convening  oi 
the  said  consociation,  of  the  county  of  New-Haven,  at  the 
dwelling  house  of  John  Factor,  in  said  Branford,  at  one  of 
the  clocK  in  the  afternoon,  on  the  last  Tuesday  of  Septem- 
ber next  ensuing  the  date  hereof ;  and  you  the  said  Phile- 
mon Robbins,  are  hereby,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  cited  and 
required  to  appear  before  the  said  consociation,  at  the 
time  and  place  aforesaid,  then  and  there  to  answer  to  tho 
several  articles  of  the  said  complaint ;  and  thereof  you  may 
not  fail.  By  Nathaniel  Chauncey,  Moderator. 

Durham,  August  28th,  1 746." 

With  this  citation  the  articles  of  complaint  were  deliv- 
ered.   Those  which  respected  his  doctrine  were, 

*'  1 .  That  he,  the  said  Mr.  Bobbins,  has  in  public  ta- 
ken it  upon  him  to  determine  the  state  of  infants,  dying  in 
infancy,  declaring  that  they  were  as  odious  in  the  sight  of 
God,  as  snakc&and  vipers  were  to  us  ;  and  left  it  vmolly 
in  the  dark  whether  there  were  any  saved  or  not. 

"  2.  That  he  had  assumed  to  himself  the  prerogative  of 
God,  the  righteous  judge,  in  judging  the  condition  of  the 
dead,  in  a  ^neral  sermon,  saying  that  they  were  in  hell, 
to  the  great  grief  of  mourning  friends  and  others. 

"  3.  That  in  his  public  preaching  he  had  been  gi'ilty  of 
speaking  evil  of  dignities  ;  declaring,  that  the  lea  iers  or 
rulers  of  the  people  were  opposers  of  the  glorious  work  of 
God  in  the  land ;  and  comparing  our  civil  authority  to  and 
with  Darius,  who  cast  Daniel  into  the  lion's  den. 

"  4*  In  judging  and  declaring  those  persons  carnal  and 
Unc  onvertcd,  that  did  not  approve  of  the  late  religious  stir 
tha  (  has  been  in  the  land ;  and  in  the  improvement  of  his 
sermon  dividitig  them,  and  calling  one  part,  that  is,  the 
approvers,  the  children  of  God,  and  branding  tb^  Qtl;i,er 
part,  with  the  name  and  character  of  opposers.       --  % 

"  5.  The  said  Mr.  Bobbins  has  also  publicly  and 
censoriously  judged  those  that  did  not  foil  in  with  aqd 


(Jompliiiat 
against 
ISir.  Rob- 
l;iiis. 


'Ar  vin.  I  ^.^,^,  vni. 


CONNECTICUT. 


211 


mputo  the  rt'ligious  .stir  m  the  land  (which  he  mils  a  glori-  Book  II. 
„us  work  of  God)  to  bo  the  tvork  of  God*s  spirit,  dcclar-  s.^v^.^ 
ing  such  were  guilty  of  the  unpanlonable  sin.  1 740. 

'^  6.  He  has  publicly  asserted,  and  taught  and  laid  down, 
;hnt  a  man  mignt  be  sincere  in  religion,  and  a  strict  ob- 
server of  the  sabbath,  and  yet  boa  hypocrite. 

"  7.  Said  Mr.  Robbins  has  publicly  rcHoctcd  upon  and 
reviled  the  standing  ministers  of  this  land,  calling  them 
Arminians,  and  comparing  them  with  and  to  false  prophets, 
putting  himself  in  the  place  of  Micajah.'^ 

With  respect  to  his  Antinomian  doctrines,  they  com- 
plained, ,     , 

"  1 .  That  he  has  publicly  taught  us,  that  there  is  no 
promise  in  all  the  bible  that  belongs  to  sinners  :  thereby 
frustrating  the  covenant  of  God's  free  grace,  and  the  con- 
descension and  compassion  of  God,  anil  his  Son,  our  Sav- 
iour, to  poor,  lost  and  perishing  sinners. 

"  2.  That  there  is  no  direction  in  all  the  bible  how  men 
should  come  to  Christ,  npr  could  hei  direct  any  persons  how 
they  should  come  to  him  :  thereby  rendering  ♦he  study  and 
search  of  the  holy  scriptures,  at  least  an  unsafe  and  insuffi- 
c'ent  jvay  of  finding  Christ  ;  and  the  preaching  thereof 
useless.  ., 

"  3.  He  has  publicly  taught  that  it  is  as  easy  for  per- 
sons to  know  Avhen  they  are  converted,  as  it  is  to  know 
noon  day  light  from  midnight  darkness ;  making  the  only 
sure  evidence  of  conversion  to  consist  in  inward  feeling, 
and  a  sense  of  their  love  to  God. 

"4.  He  has  declared  in  public,  that  believers  never 
doubt  of  their  interest  in  Christ,  after  conversion ;  and  if 
they  do,  it  is  the  sign  of  an  hypocrite  ;  rendering  sanctifi- 
cation  no  evidence  of  conversion  or  justification,  and 
that  believers  ai'e  never  in  the  d^rk. 

"  5.  He  ha9  also  taught  that  God  could  easier  convert 
the  seat  a  man  sits  on,  than  convert  a  moral  man ;  and  that 
the  most  vicious  or  vile  person  stands  as  fair  for  conviction 
and  conversion  as  the  strictest  moral  man  :  thereby  mak-< 
ing  holiness  and  obedience  to  the  moral  law,  no  way  ne- 
cessary to  be  found  in  men  for  their  salvation. 

"6.  Mr.  Robbins  has  taught  that  there  are  some  sin- 
ners that  Christ  never  died  for,^  nor  did  he  come  to  save 
them  J  thereby  perverting  the  great  doctrines  of  redemp- 
tion in  the  gospel,  and  rendering  all  endeavours'in  men  to 
obtain  salvation,  useless  ;  Aiwiniahism,  and  blending  die 
covenant  of  works  and  covenant  of  grace  together."  —      i 

With  relation  to  his  enthusiasm,  which  tlicy  complained 
of  as  exceedingly  grievous  to  them^  these  articles  were 
charged  against  him : 


'Jl'i 


WISTOUY  OF 


Chap.  VIII.    Iiiap.  Mil. 


Book  If.  "  1 .  That  bitter  sind  rpnsorioiis  spirit  (liscovorn!  by  ihr 
said  Mr.  Robbins,  against  all,  cvrn  civil  ma^istraus,  as 
well  an  minii^tcrs,  who  do  not  think  the  commotiuns  in  tin 
land  which  bear  the  name  of  religion,  a  gloriouii  work  of 
God,  and  the  effect  of  the  agency  of  the  llolv  Spirit,  de- 
claring all  such  to  be  guilty  of  the  unpardonable  sin. 

"  2.  In  that  strange  neat  of  spirit,  under  which  the  said 
Mr.  Robbins  has  acted  ;  discovered  in  a  perpetual  uneasi- 
ness,  or  craving  to  be  preaching  ;  going  into  those  many  un- 
scriptural  nij^ht  meetings,  ana  frequent  public  pr<'achiii|/ 
under  a  religious  pretence ;  consorting  witn,  and  improving 
those  to  preach  and  carry  on  in  public,  as  well  as  in  thoy 

})rivute  meetings,  that  have  been  most  forward  and  famous 
or  their  enthusiasm  in  the  present  day. 

"  3.  In  the  spirit  of  pride  and  conceitedness,  and  ox. 
pcctation  to  be  Dclieved  only  upon  positive  and  bold  asser- 
tion, discovered  by  said  Mr.  Robbins ;  among  other  in- 
stances thereof,  by  publicly  declaring,  in  a  sermon,  that 
the  standing  ministers  in  this  land  were  Arminians,  ani| 
calling  them  false  prophets,  while  he  put  himself  in  the 
place  of  Micajah  before  Ahab,  in  1  Kings,  xxii.  pro- 
nouncing these  words  upon  it,  That  if  the  body  of  this 
people  were  in  the  yr^y  to  eternal  life,  the  Lord  had  not 
spoken  by  him. 

"  4.  Mr.  Robbins  has  publicly  taught,  that  unconverted 
persons  have  no  right  to  praise  God." 

With  respect  to  nis  conduct,  these  articles  were  charged: 

"  1 .  Mr.  Robbins'  earnestness  in  promoting  and  improv- 
ing strolling  or  travelling  preachers  ;  and  improving  those 
that  were  most  disoi-derly,  to  preach  and  exhort  in  the  so- 
ciety;  more  especially,  in  one  such  meeting  carried  on  at 
his  own  house,  bv  Messrs.  Brainard  and  Buel ;  and  anoth- 
er, at  the  -same  place,  carried  on  by  Messrs.  Wheelock  and 
Munson ;  to  the  dishonor  of  religion,  to  the  just  offence  of 
many  of  the  church  and  people,  and  to  the  destruction  of 
peace  and  gospel  order,  in  our  church  and  society. 

"  2.  His  introducing  Mr.  Davenport  to  preach  and  ex- 
hort, and  also  his  man  to  pray  and  sing,  at  the  time  when 
he  went  through  the  country,  singing  sdong  the  streets ;  at- 
tended with  this  aggravating  circumstance,  that  it  was  on 
sacrament  day ;  to  the  great  confusion  and  disturbance  o\ 
the  church,  and  profaning  of  the  sabbath  in  this  society. 

"  3.  His  preaching  in  Wallingford,  in  the  meeting-house 
of  the  anabaptists  there ;  and  tl^at  contrary  to  the  desire 
of  a  great  number  of  the  people  at  Wallingford,  requesting 
him  that  he  would  not,  and  to  the  advice  of  neighbouring 
ministers  to  the  contrary." 

Though  Mr.  Robbins  !ind  the  church  were  not  instructed 


( .l.»p. 


VIU. 


CONNfXTICLT. 


913 


Mr.  Rnh- 
l)in'»'  f\n- 


nwkc    answer   to   these   ariicirs    Ik  lore   ihr  rounttl ;  Book  II, 
^fi,  for  his  own  satixfartion  and  vinciiratk>n,  and  lor  the  \^^/^^^ 
Miislaction  of  hin  people,  he  drew  up  a  conci»«  answer  to    1 716, 
iiirm.     This,  in  justice  to  his  character,  and  the  manifes- 
ition  of  the  truth,  ought  here  to  be  inserted.     |t  in  in  ctlcct 
„  followeth : 

To  the  objections  against  his  doctrines  ;  "  In  a  sermon, 
-,  I  was  labouring  to  confute  an  error,  which  1  apprehctid- 
f,l  was  embraced  by  some  of  my  people,  viz.  That  the  anu  im  Jf 
I  jpath  of  Christ  not  only  satisfied  for,  but  wholly  took  away  charge 
original  sin  from  all  persons ;  1  said,  even  infants  were  by 
nature  children  of  wrath,  and  while  unsanctified  were  as 
jixlious  in  the  sight  of  God,  as  snakes  and  vipers  arc  to  us  ; 
iJding,  that  serpents  when  first  come  into  the  world,  were 
I  ,ot  odious  on  account  of  any  mischief  they  had  cfone,  but 
I  kcausc  of  their  serpentine  nature  ;  but  as  to  their  salvation, 
.0  doubt  but  multitudes  of  them  were  saved." 

With  respect  to  his  determining  the  state  of  the  dead,  his 

I  reply  was,  "  I  never  spake  of  any  particular  person,  when 

hicacl,  as  gone  to  hell  absolutely,  except  those  mentioned 

I  m  the  word  of  God.     I  suppose  the  article  refers  to  an 

.iwakenij)g  discourse  1  had,  after  the  death  of  a  particular 

person,  attended  with  some  awful  and  extraordinary  cir- 

1  cjmstanccs,  wherein  I  said,  if  the  last  person  that  went  to 

liell,  should  arise  and  declare.  Sic,  you  would  not  believe, 

I  unless  you  will  bejieve  Moses  and  the  prophets." 

With  respect  to  the  third,  under  the  hpad  qt  doctrines, 
I  and  the  first  article  under  the  head  of  enthusiasm,  his  an- 
swer was,  "  I  say  again,  I  never  declared  my  opinion  of 
I  any  person,  or  denomination  of  persons,  as  being  guilty  of 
the  unpardonable  sin  ;  and  do  not  remember  that  ever  I 
publicly  censured  any  as  opposers  of  the  work  of  God,  so 
that  they  might  be  known  any  otherwisp  than  by  their  fruit. 
I  do  not  know  why  the  complainant  should  speak  so  much 
of  my  censuring  magistrates,  or  ministers,  unless  he  would 
tell  me  how,  when,  and  in  yrhat  discourses.  I  seldom  have 
•occasion  to  speak  of  them  in  public  ;  when  I  do,  J  careful- 
ly write  what  I  say ;  but  I  find  wliat  is  received  is  often 
very  different  from  what  is  delivered,  not  only  in  expres- 
sion, but  in  sense.  As  to  my  comparing  our  authority  to 
Darius,  &c.  as  before  obJ€;cted,  I  have  looked  over  the 
whole  sermon,  from  Dan.  vi.  23.  There  is  not  a  word 
there,  of  any  civil  authority,  or  civil  rulers,  from  the 
doctrine  to  the  end  of  the  sermon.  All  I  said  about  theni 
was  in  opening  the  context,  that  speaks  plainly  its  own 
meaning :  and  my  disafiecteCl  neighoours  were  very  atten- 
tive— but  I  studiously  avoided  saying  any  thing  about  any 
authority,  since  Darius' day." 


SM 


iriSTORY  OK 


CiiAr.  Vlli.  B  <•*'•  ^**'* 


DooK  II.  With  iTsprct  to  his  rnlliriE  :ill  pmojis  uneonvortrfl  tvh-, 
v^^v^^  ilid  not  upfirovc  of  thr  religious  stir,  hr  nnsworpd,  "  'fhi, 
J  746.  I  dony  ;  and  iriHtcad  of  so  nrcarhine,  I  publicly  drrjan 
and  teach,  that  the  line  ofdistinction  iMitwecnthrriKhtrotH 
and  the  wicked  cannot  he  so  drawn  ns  to  leave  all  the  ap- 
provers of  (he  religious  appearances  in  the  land  on  the  one 
side,  and  all  that  speak  against  them  on  the  other.  I  ho. 
licve  many  that  are  called  op^osers,  are  tnily  gracious, 
and  many  that  have  been  approvers,  are,  I  fear,  withou' 
God  in  the  world." 

The  article  of  natural  men's  sincerity,  as  consisting  with 
hypocrisy,  he  answered,  "  I  own  the  article  with  this  alter- 
ation,  instead  of  in  religion^  read  in  duty.  So  1  expressed 
it,  and  added,  2d  Cor.  i.  10;  we  read  of  a  godly  sinceri- 
ty ;  which  may  imply,  that  there  is  a  sincerity  which  is  not 
godly.  So  the  servant  that  has  no  love  to  his  master,  sin- 
cerely labors  to  escape  the  whip." 

His  answer  to  the  charge  ofpersons  having  committed 
the  unpardonable  sin,  was  tnis,  "  I  believe,  ana  have  spok- 
en of  those  that  reject  the  glorious  work  that  has  been  in 
the  land,  itnputing  all  to  the  devil,  that  they  know  not  what 
they  do,  otherwise  they  would  come  near  tne  unpardonable 
a>in,  if  not  really  be  guilty  of  it ;  but  never  have  declared 
my  opinion  of  any  person,  or  denomination  of  persons 
among  us,  as  being  guilty  of  it." 

The  seventh  article,  under  the  head  of  doctrines,  is  cs- 
.>)Cntially  the  same  as  the  third  article  of  complaint  under 
the  head  of  enthusiasm,  and  are  both  answered  together,  in 
reply  to  that. 

-  With  regard  to  the  first  aiiicle  under  the  head  of  Antino- 
mianism,  relative  to  there  being  no  promises  to  the  unrc- 
generate,  his  reply  was,  "  The  complainant  knows,  that  1 
teach  that  all  men  are  sinners,  and  tnat  there  are  promises 
in  the  bible,  belonging  to  some  men ;  but  I  have  taught 
that  there  is  no  promise  of  any  saving  good,  in  all  the  bible, 
made  to  any  unconverted  man,  or  any  sinner,  while  in  an 
mregenerate  slate :  Arjd  how  this  frustrates  God^s  cove- 
jiant  of  free  grace,  &c.  I  leave  the  orthodox  world  to 
judge." 

In  re^rd  to  article  second,  \rlating  to  direction*  hov;  to 
come  toChrist,  he  answered,  "I  (irmly  believe  ah<f '^oc'.  «,^«t1 
the  bible  contains  the  best  directions  how  men  shuuicl  come 
to  Christ ;  and  his  ministers  are  to  make  use  of  them  to  that 
end  :  But  I  have  taujght  that  an  unregenerate  man,  merely 
by  rending  those  directions,  or  hearing  them  from  the 
mouth  «W'  a  minister,  will  not  thereby  rightly  understand 
»nd  kn^T  •  ■  Laro      he  n- /  know  them  historicaliy,  but  not 


Kir.  V  in. 


CONNECTICUT 


^15 


ipcrimrnlally.     I  cannot  direct  an   unrnnvortod  dinner  Book  II. 
^„M  to  rontc  to  ChriHt,  kg  that  ho  will  know  what  it  is,  un-  n^'v^^ 

J  the  Father  draw  him  ;  and  then  he  will  know  that  it  i%    17.16. 
,,)r  thing  to  give  sinners  ^o8|)el  directions  how  to  .  "mo  to  Mr.  Rol>- 
Christ,  and  another  to  cnhghtcn  their  minds  1    uiuN  iv.iaM«i  J'»"»'*n- 
joiJ  receive  them  :  the  one  is  the  duty  of  minislt  i   .  uiid  "'*'^"    *^' 
.J,;  oihc!  i-i  the  work  of  God's  holy  spirit." 

As  to  liic  charge  of  a  Christianas  knowing  the  time  ol 
„;,  conversion,  he  said,  *'  The  passage  in  a  sennuu,  (hat 
huppobo  this  article  refers  to,  ran  in  the  following  man- 
nrr: — When  a  sinner  is  converted  he  knows  it ;  (i.  c.)  hn 
!,nows  the  change,  though  it  may  be  that  he  is  not  satisHed, 
nt  rather  then  docs  not  think  that  it  is  conversion  :  (I  mean 
ihathis  mind  may  n'  1  th'  d  be  exercised  about  the  change 
lie  has  experiotic«vi,  .»>  b(  ing  conversion  :)  yet,  can  a  man 
be  brought  011  nf  tV,p  kii<.i;dom  of  Satan  into  the  kingdom 
iif  ihc  son  of  C.D  ''an  a  man  be  brought  out  of  miiuiight 
liar'  nes;.  'n^o  noon  day  light,  and  not  know  there  is  a 
ihanf^f  ■'* 

Relative  to  the  a' tide  of  christians  not  doubting  after 
lonversion,  &;c.  he  replied,  "These  articles  leave  mc 
«holly  in  the  dark,  as  to  what  sermons  they  refer  to,  what 
<iibjcct,'what  text  preached  from,  or  when  preached :  oth- 
erwise, I  probably  could  give  you  most  of  llic  passages  re- 
ferred to.  But  the  article,  I  cannot  think,  refers  to  any 
thing  I  ever  preached  :  for  it  is  not  likely  I  should  preach 
directly  contrary  to  my  sentiments ;  and  I  never  thought 
as  tho  article  speaks  ;  but  on  the  contrary,  do  often  speak 
publicly  of  the  doubts,  fears,  and  scruples,  of  real  chris- 
tians ;  and  sanctification  I  esteem  the  very  best  evidence 
of  justification." 

In  reference  to  the  article  of  its  being  easier  to  convert 
ike  sf;at  than  a  mere  moral  man,  Mr.  Bobbins  said, "  I  know 
nothing  of  the  expression  of  the  seat,  &c.  The  passage 
which  I  suppose  the  article  refers  to,  runs  thus — It  is  a  great- 
er t^ianifestation  of  power  to  convert  a  mere  moral  man,  than 
lo  create  a  world ;  lor  in  creation  there  is  no  resistance,  but 
in  conversion  there  is  a  blind  mind  and  a  perverse  will 
to  oppose.  The  most  vicious  person  stands  as  fair,  or 
fairer  ^'^"'  conviction  and  conversion,  than  the  strictest 
moraiibi,  that  is  setded  upon  his  lees,  and  built  strong  on 
liis  own  righteousness.  Publicans  and  harlots  shall  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  heaven  before  such.  The  inucndo, 
or  inference,  at  the  close  of  the  article,  I  leave  the  ortho- 
dox to  judge  of;  though  I  would  fain  believe  the  drafts- 
man of  the  articles,  (being  one  of  the  reverend  consocia- 
tion, as  I  aiOL  infprioed,)  doos  not.  think  that  mere  morality, 


910* 


llISTORY  OF 


Cn\^.  Vi[f 


Ut;pt 


17 

4(;. 

Mr. 

Hoh- 

lnii!t 

'    iWl- 

hVtVt 

,  if. 

Book  11.  ;is  llie  word  is  commonly  used,  and  real  holinoss,  arc  (!i. 
same." 

To  the  artirlo  of  Christ's  not  dying  lo  save  som^*  sin. 
nrrs,  he  answered,  '*  1  own  fho  arficlc,  that  there  arc  sonu 
sinners  that  Christ  never  died  for,  with  a  design  to  savr 
them  ;  and  yet  I  believe  the  merits  of  Christ  sultiejent  I'm 
all,  and  that  his  satisfaction  has  as  much  vindicateil  ilu 
lionor  of  the  broken  law  of  God,  as  if  all  mankind  hnd 
been  damned.  But  what  a  strange  inference  docs  ih,. 
draftsman  make,  from  my  denying  universal  redcmp. 
tion  !" 

The  first  ai-llcle  under  enthusiasm,  relative  to  the  un- 
pardonable sin,  is  answered  above.  The  third  article.  r(  |. 
alive  to  his  censorious  spirit  and  comparing  himself  to 
Micajah,  is  also  answered  under  a  similar  article  already 
noticed.  With  respect  to  the  second  article,  his  heat  of 
."pirit,  and  desire  to  be  perpetually  preaching,  under  pro- 
.oiicc  of  religion,  Mr.  Robbins  seems  to  have  judged  that 
the  command,  preach  the  word,  be  instant  in  season  and 
out  of  season,  and  the  examples  of  the  apostles  and  prim- 
itive christians  in  their  frequent  night  meetings,  Avere  a 
snfRcient  answer.  He  replied,  therefore,  to  the  last  article 
of  the  charge  only,  as  worthy  of  notice  ;  his  improving 
ministers  most  forward  and  famous  for  enthusiasm  in  the 
jnescnt  day  ;  "  I  have  not  admitted  any  man  into  my  pulpit, 
that  was  not  ordained  or  licensed." 

In  answer  to  the  charge  of  his  teaching  that  the  uncon- 
verted had  no  right  to  praise  Goo,  he  said,  "  I  have  tausjlu 
that  unconverted  persons  cannot  rightly  praise  God  ;  (as 
they  can  do  no  other  duty  rightly,  either  from  a  right  prin- 
ciple, or  for  a  right  end ;)  but  that  it  is  the  duty  of  all  men 
to  praise  God  ;  witness  more  than  twenty  sermons  I  have 
preached  on  that  beloved  subject." 

With  respect  to  the  first  article  of  charge,  relative  to  im- 
))i'oving  strolling  preachers,  Brainard,  Buel,  Wheelock,  &c. 
]\lr.  Robbins  replied,  "  I  believe  my  improving  itinerant 
jneachers  has  bad  some  happy  effect  here.  That  the  meet- 
ing carried  on  by  Messrs.  Buel  and  Brainard  had  a  good  ef- 
fect upon  some  persons,  I  cannot  but  think.  But  it  had 
some  unhappy  attendants;  and  I  believe  neither  they  nor 
I  should  carry  on  a  meeting  just  in  the  same  form  again. 
The  other  was  after  Mr.  Wheelock  had  been  preaching  a 
public  lecture.  A  number  of  persons  came  to  my  house, 
under  concern  a])OUt  their  spiritual  state.  Wc  discoursed 
and  prayed  with  them.  Some  evidenced  great  concern  ; 
and  I  cannot  but  think,  one  especially  was  then,  and  since, 
convinced  of  sin,  righteousness,  and  judgment." 


LHAP. 


VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


21 


JCr. 


Rrlative  to  introdiicinj*  Mr.  Davenport  to  prrarh,  &c.  Book  H. 
Mr.  Robbins,  replied,  "  Mr.  Davenport  came  in  on  Satiir-  >^''"v-'v^ 
,|:iV  evening ;  I  asked  him  to  preach  the  next  day.     i  knew    I  74(i. 
nothing  oi  nis  design  to  sine  in  the  sirnet,  until  wo  ha(P^r-^  •*"'■* 
uot  j)art  of  the  way  to  meetmg.     When  he  mentioned  if,  I  ^""^  ^"' 
tbored  to  prevent,  and  did  not  join  with  him  in  it.     I  think 
he  preached  well,  and  after  service  was  ended,   in  the  af- 
trrnoon,  he  sp«^ke  to  his  man  to  pray,  but  not  with  my  con- 
cent, or  my  liking." 

In  answer  to  his  preaching  at  Wallingford,  he  said, 
■This  is  the  grand  article,  and  sine  qua  non  of  all  the  rest. 
Vou  have  an  account  of  the  matter  before,  in  this  narrative, 
and  I  shall  here  only  say — the  baptist  minister  desired  that 
i  would  come  and  preach  for  him  ;  and  I  knew  of  no  ob- 
jection against  it,  when  I  consented  to  go.  The  weight 
of  objections  that  were  flung  in  my  way  afterwards,  the 
world  must  judge  of." 

With  respect  to  his  beirig  a  promoter  of  sehismalical 
separations,  baptizing  at  New-Haven,  &cc.  his  reply  was, 
•  With  respect  to  baptizing  Dr.  Mix's  child,  I  offered  this 
10  the  consociation,  viz.  had  I  known  as  much  before,  as  I 
dc  now,  I  should  not  have  done  it.  They  voted  to  over- 
look it.'  1  offered  the  same  to  the  complainant,  and  sev- 
eral others,  who  said  they  were  easy  with  respect  to  that, 
and  all  other  articles  they  had  complained  of;  and  left  it 
under  their  hands.  Notwithstanding,  most  of  those  arti- 
I  cles  are  brought  in  among  these.  As  to  separating  from 
ihc  constitution,  if  it  means  Saybrook  platform,  I  do  not 
know  that  this  church  was  ever  fairly  under  it.  There  is  no 
record  nor  any  living  member  that  knows  any  thing  of  it's 
ever  being  voted  into  the  church  :  and  when,  (after  some 
of  my  brethren  had  been  urging  it  for  more  than  twelve 
months,)  I  put  it  to  vote  in  the  church,  to  renounce  the  Say- 
brook  platform  and  take  the  Cambridge  platform,  there  were 
but  six  brethren  appeared  in  the  negative.  All  the  defence 
1  desired  against  the  association,  was  only  to  know  the 
minds  of  my  people  in  sundry  votes,  which  they  readily 
passed,  and  have  since  voted  to  abide  by. 

With  respect  to  his  haughty,  assuming,  and  unpeaceabic 
spirit,  and  being  truly  self-willed,  and  his  treatment  of  the 
association,  his  answer  was,  "  As  to  the  prudent  and  gen- 
tle measures  taken  by  the  reverend  association,  to  com- 
pose our  difficulties,  and  settle  us  in  love,  peace,  and  gos- 
pel order,  it  is  well  known,  that  the  association  has  received 
articles  of  complaint  against  me,  privately  signed  and  car- 
vied  into  the  association,  time  after  time,  when  I  had  not 
been  infdnned  of  one  of  the  articles,  or  any  one  of  the 

C2 


lid 


frrSTORY  OF 


Chap.  Vnr    I  Chap.  VIIl 


Book  U.  si^ncis  ;  and  have  appointed  r'  council,  or  committee,  tioir 
v,^-v-^/  after  time,  to  come  to  Branford,  and  make  inquiry,  when 
174G.    neither  minister,  church  or  society  desired  it.     Is  this  a 


any  more  than  to  do  my  endeavour  to  get  into  good  stand- 
ing ;  in  order  to  which,  I  have  offered  four  written  confes- 
sions, as  you  have  seen  before,  but  could  not  be  received." 

As  to  the  last  article  refative  to  the  standing  ministers 
not  thinking  as  Mr.  Uobbins  did,  &c.  his  reply  was,  "Here 
comes  in  standing  ministers  agafin  :  and  now  I  suspect  thr; 
article  refers  to  the  neighbouring  ministers  of  this  county, 
for  I  have  said  of  some  of  theni,  that  they  and  I  did  not 
think  alike  :  and  I  am  of  the  same  mind  still.  As  to  my 
saying  I  had  rather  be  under  a  bishop,  than  under  our  as- 
sociation, it  is  probably  true,  and  I  have  no  reason  to  altei' 
my  mind,  (though  I  must  dissent  from  the  church  of  Eng- 
land, for  some  weighty  reasons.)  As  to  my  joining  witli 
ministers  unknown  m  their  principles  to  my  people,  1  sup- 
pose they  do  notj  know  the  principles  of  most  ministers 
that  they  like,  but  by  their  preaching  and  conversation; 
and  they  may  have  the  same  trial  of  those  I  join  with. 
Prove  all  things/' 

As  the  time  for  the  meeting  of  the  consociation  ap- 
proached, Mr.  Robbins  appointed  a  church  meeting,  at 
which  they  unanimously  voted,  that  they  would  abide  by 
their  votes  passed  November  4th,  1 745  ;  and  they  mado 
choice  of  John  Russell  and  William  Gould,  Esq'rs.  the  pas- 
tor, and  deacons,  to  be  a  committee,  to  represent  the 
church  before  the  consociation,  to  lay  the  votes  of  tho 
church  in  1745,  and  of  this  meeting,  before  said  consocia- 
tion, and  earnestly  to  declare  against  its  jurisdiction. 

In  this  meeting  Mr.  Robbins  read  the  articles  of  com- 
plaint, and  his  answer  to  them,  with  his  citation  from  the 
moderator.  The  consociation  met,  according,  to  appoint- 
ment, on  the  last  I'ucsday  in  September.  The  council, 
immediately  after  dining,  chose  a  committee,  of  whom  theif 
moderator  was  one,  and  sent  over  to  Mr.  Robbins^  The 
moderator  professed  a  great  desive  to  hear  their  difficul- 
ties :  he  said  he  did  not  question  but  Mr.  Robbins  mighf 
do  much  good  there  ;  but  now  they  were  not  peaceable, 
and  he  wished  to  have  them  in  peace.  Mr.  Robbins  ob- 
served, he  apprehended  there  was  b<it  a  step  which  parted 
them — the  matter  of  the  Saybrook  and  Cambridge  plat- 
forms :  that  if  he  should  espouse  the  Saybrook,  though  if 
might  satisfy  the  minor  part,  he  should  disaffect  the  mo 


HAP.  tnr  I  CHAf.  viH. 


CONNECTICUT. 


21D 


lor 


f)rity  of  the  church  and  society  :  that  he  knew  of  no  way  Book  II. 
(orjX'ace,  but  for  the  council  to  advise  the  minor  party  to  v-^^v^*../ 
be  easy  as  they  were.     He  also  obscn'cd,  that  some  of    174C. 
(he  heads  of  the  minor  party  had  said,  we  will  sit  dowi?. 
easy,  as  we  now  are,  if  the  association  shall  advise  us  to 
iloit.    But  this  did  not  suit  the  committee.     They  propo- 
sed that  Mr.  Robbins  would  submit  to  have  them  use  their 
endeavours  to  make  peace  among  them ;  that  he  would 
;\nswer  to  the  articles,  or  only  go  and  answer  for  his 
})reaching  to  the  baptists,  or  oner  the  same  confession 
now  that  ne  had  offered  before  to  the  association  ;  and  that 
he  would  call  a  church  meeting.     Mr,  Robbins  referred 
(hese  proposals  to  the  committee,  who  unanimously  reject- 
ed them.     They  acquainted  the  council,  that  they  had  a 
message  from  the  church  and  society,  which  they  wished 
for  an  opportunity  to  lay  before  them*    Soon  after,  the 
council  sent  for  Mr.  Robbins,  who  went  with  the  commit- 
tee of  the  church  and  society.     Mr.  Robbins  offered  to 
?peak,  but  the  moderator  forbade  him,  and  the  council 
proceeded,  by  his  order,  to  the  reading  of  the  moderator's 
letter  for  convening  the  consociation,  and  the  articles  of 
charge  against  him.    He  then  begged  liberty  to  speak, 
but  the  moderator  would  not  hear  him,  telling  him  that 
there  was  not  time  to  hear  articles,  and  the  council  must 
}x  adjourned  until  eight  o'clock  to-morrow  momingn    He 
said  he  had  but  a  word  to  offer.    He  was  then  reprimand- 
( d  by  one  of  the  council,  and  told  that  he  knew  the  orders 
of  the  council  better ;  that  it  was  adjourned  till  to-morrow, 
kc.    It  was  then  ordered,  that  the  citation  should  be  read. 
Immediately  after  which,  Mr.  Robbins  desired  liberty  to 
speak  again ;  but  the  moderator  said  the  council  was  ad- 
journed, and  would  not  hear  him.    After  Uiis,  the  scribe 
got  up  and  adjourned  the  council. 

The  next  morning  Mr.  Robbins  and  the  rest  of  the  com- 
mittee, went  to  the  house  where  the  council  met,  and  just 
as  they  knocked  at  the  door,  they  met  the  committee  of  the 
consociation,  who  were  going  over  again  to  speak  with 
Mr.  Robbins.  They  urged  the  same  things  which  had 
been  proposed  the  day  before.  But  the  committee  utterly 
refused  to  comply  with  them ;  and  as  soon  as  they  could 
obtain  liberty,  exhibited  the  votes  of  the  church  and  socie- 
ty at  their  first  and  second  meetings,  relative  to  tliese  mat- 
ters, and  denied  their  jurisdiction.  The  council  urged 
them  to  give  their  reasons,  but  they  observed  the  votes 
contained  reasons,  and  they  had  no  orders  to  give  any. 
Indeed  they  agreed  among  themselves  to  give  none. 
The  council,  finding  Mr.  Robbins  and  the  cjiurch,  witl\ 


220 


HISTORY  OF 


CtiAf.  Vlli    I  Chap.  VIII 


1746. 


The  result 
of  the  con- 
bociation. 


RpoK  II.  the  5ocioty.  totally  rrnounced  their  jurisdiction,  and  wouH 
v,^-^/-^.  make  no  answer  or  plea  before  them,  or  have  any  thin^  t,, 
do  with  thcra,  proceeded  to  consider  the  matter  of  )uri> 
diction  in  this  case.  One  of  their  principal  members  ni,- 
dertook,  in  a  long  and  zealous  speech,  to  prove  Mr.  RoK- 
bins  and  his  church  were  under  the  Saybrook  plaflorrn, 
and  could  not  get  from  under  it.  Others  insisted  upon  ii, 
that  they  were  not  under  it,  and  that  the  council  had  noi 
jurisdiction  in  the  case  before  them.  But  the  council  de- 
termined that  they  had  jurisdiction.  And  then,  upon  an 
exparte  hearing,  (the  evidence  of  the  complainers,)  or 
without  any  hearing  at  all,*  came  to  the  following  resuh , 
viz : 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  consociation  of  the  county  of  New- 
Haven,  regularly  convened,  upon  the  request  of  twelve 
members  of  the  first  church,  and  thirty  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  first  society  in  Branford,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  John 
Factor,  in  said  Branford,  September  30th,  1746.  A  com- 
plaint having  been  exhibitea  to  this  consociation,  against 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Philemon  Robbins,  pastor  of  said  first  chuixli 
in  Branford,  in  various  articles  respecting  his  preaching, 
conduct  and  behaviour,  by  Joseph  Frisbie,  a  member  ot 
said  church,  bearing  date  July  23d,  1746;  after  using  re- 
peated methods  to  reconcile  the  parties,  which  proved  in- 
effectual, Mr.  Robbins  rejecting  all  proposals  for  accom- 
modation ;  the  consociation  proceeded  to  the  consideratioi^ 
of  said  complaint.  The  parties  appearing,  the  Rov.  Mr, 
Robbin$  denied  the  jurisdiction  of  this  council,  refusing  to 
assign  any  reasons  fqr  his  so  doing,  except  what  may  be 
gathered  from  the  votes  of  the  church  and  society,  laid  be- 
fore the  council ;  which  votes  being  read  and  considered, 
it  was  resolved,  that  what  Mr.  Robbins  had  oDered  againsl 
the  jurisdiction,  was  insufficient.  Whereupon  the  conso- 
ciation entered  upon  the  hearing  of  the  several  articles 
contained  in  said  complaint,  and  examined  the  evidences 
in  support  thereof;  and  find  the  following  articles  of  com* 
plaint  against  Mr.  Robbins  sufiiciently  proved^  viz. 
"  I.  With  respect  to  his  public  preaching  and  doctrine. 
"  I .  That  he  hath  taken  upon  him,  to  determine  thu 
state  of  infants,  dying  in  infancy,  declaring  them  as  odious 
in  the  sight  of  God,  as  snakes  and  vipers  are  to  us. 
"  2.  That  he  hath  assumed  the  prerogctive  of  God,  the 

*  As  the  complainaats,  or  disaffected,  were  the  only  persons  appearing 
before  the  council,  upon  what  was  called  the  trial,  it  seems  that  they  only 
must  have  been  the  witnesses.  And  there  is  no  mention  of  proofs  on  file,  in 
the  jiidt^ment.  Mr.  Robbins  sent  to  the  scribe  for  a  copy  of  the  evidences : 
but  he  returned  answer,  that  he  had  nothing  to  send  but  mei^^fi  naipes.  He 
ihcrj  desired  the  names,  but  could  not  obtaio  even  them^ 


Chap. 


VIIL 


CONNECTICUT. 


'221 
Book  II. 


till'  conso- 
ciation. 


righteous  judge,  in  dctrrmining  the  state  of  the  dead  ;  bay- 
ing, that  they  were  in  hell. 

"3.  That  he  hath  spoken  evil   of  dignities;  that  the    niG. 
leaders  and  rulers  of  this  people,  were  opposers  of  the  Re»uit  of 
,/lorious  work  of  God. 

^  ♦'  4.  That  he  hath  reviled  the  standing  ministry  of  this 
land,  calling  them  Anniniuns,  and  comparing  them  to 
tliisc  prophets. 

"  5.  That  he  hath  publicly  taught,  that  there  is  no  direc- 
tion in  all  the  bible,  how  men  should  come  to  Christ,  nor 
could  he  direct  any  persons  how  they  should  come  to  him. 

"  6.  That  he  hath  publicly  taught,  that  God  could  easier 
convert  the  seat  a  man  sits  on,  than  convert  a  moral  man  : 
and  that  the  most  vicious  person  stands  as  fair,  or  fairer, 
for  conviction  or  conversion  than  the  strictest  moral  man. 

"7.  That  he  hath  publicly  asserted  and  taught,  that  a 
man  might  be  sincere  in  religion,  and  a  strict  observer  of 
fhe  sabbath,  and  yet  be  a  hypocrite. 

"  8.  That  he  hath  publicly  taught,  that  it  is  as  easy  for 
persons  to  know  when  they  are  converted,  as  it  is  to  know 
iioon  day  light,  from  midnight  darkness. 

"  9.  That  he  hath  declared  in  public,  that  believers 
never  doubt  of  their  interest  in  Christ  after  conversion  ; 
and  if  they  do,  it  is  a  sign  of  an  hypocrite. 

"  10.  That  he  hath  publicly  taught,  that  unconverted 
persons  have  no  right  to  praise  God. 

"  II.  With  respect  to  his  conduct  and  behavior,  we  find, 

"  That  he  hath  been  a  promoter  of  schismatic  conten- 
tions, separations  and  divisions,  '^^hat  he  hath  led  ofi'  a 
party  with  him  to  rise  up  against  and  separate  from  the 
ecclesiastical  constitution  of  this  colony,  under  which  this 
church  was  peaceably  established ;  reproachfully  insinu- 
ating, in  a  church  meeting,  that  under  Say  brook  platform 
it  was  king  as.sociation,  in  opposition  to  Jesus  Christ,  the 
only  king  of  the  church.  And  also,  that  he  hath  remain- 
ed obstinate,  under  censure  of  a  former  consociation,  not- 
withstanding repeated  endeavours  used  to  bring  him  to  his 
duty  :  with  some  errors,  and  many  other  unguarded  and 
unsuitable  expressions,  as  appears  by  the  articles  of  com- 
plaint, and  proofs  offered  upon  file.  In  which  articles, 
upon  mature  deliberation,  we  judge  said  Mr*  Robbing 
is  guilty  of  a  breach  of  the  3d,  the  6th  and  the  9th  coia- 
mands,  and  many  gospel  rules,  for  which  he  ought  to  give 
christian  satisfaction,  by  making  a  confession  to  the  ac- 
ceptance of  this  consociation.  The  above  voted,  J^eminc 
(ontr^dicente, 

"  Test,  Samuel  Whittelsey,  jun. )  c^pjUgg  »> 
Robert  Treat,  >  ' 


n 


p 


m 


'ti'A 


mm 


522 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAr.  Vlli.   ■  iVr.  VIIT, 


m 

i 


M 


^ 


Book  If.      '•  V  otcd,  that  this  consociation  be  adiourned  until  such 
v,^-^^"^  lime  as  the  moderator  of  the  council  shall  sec  it  needful  to 
174(1.     convrnc  it  again,  according  to  the  following  method,  vi/. 
"  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Chauncey,  and  the  messeni^cr  ot 
the  r  liurch  of  Durham,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Samuel  Whitiel- 
scy,  Joseph  Noyes,  Thomas  Ruggles,  with  the  messengers 
of  the  churches  of  which  they  are  pastors,  be  appointed 
!»nd  constituted  a  committee,  with  full  power  to  receive 
the  satisfaction    and  acknowledgment  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Robbins,  if  he  shall  sec  it  in  his  way  to  comply  with  the 
judgment  of  this  consociation ;  and  to  advise  and  concur 
with  the  Rev.  moderator  to  convene   this   consociation, 
if  it  shall  be  needful  therefor;  and  that  the  moderator  be 
empowered  to  cite  all  persons  that  are  by  them  esteemed 
necessary,  a  major  part  of  them  being  empowered  to  act. 
Test.  Samuel  Whittelsey,  jun.  Scribe." 
Mr.  Robbins  remarked  on  the  judgment  to  this  effect. 
"  Tlie  council  speak  of  using  repeated  methods  to  reconcile 
the  parties  ;  but  that  I  rejected  all  proposals  for  an  accom- 
modation.    I  thought,  by  their  sending  committees  to  mc 
Remarks    the  first  and  second  day,  so  early,  before  we  could  possi- 
o(i  the  re-  \y[y  ^ave  opportunity  to  do  the  message  assigned  us  by  the 
su  t  ot  1 10  j.|^m.j,i^  and  society,  that  they  intended  to  do  sontething  to 
make  a  handle  of  against  me.     But  what  were  their  pro- 
posals for  an  accommodation  ?    Not  such  as  I  had  made 
to  the  dissatisfied  party,  viz :  That  whatever  errors  and 
faults  they  would  convict  me  of,  I  would  recant  those  er- 
rors and  confess  the  faults,  as  openly  and  publicly  as  the 
nature  of  the  thing  required  ;  or  that  we  should  mutually 
call  a  council,  which  would  be  much  more  likely  to  find  out 
truth  and  promote  peace  among  us.     But  their  proposals 
were  evidently  calculated  to  bring  us   under,  or  to  own 
their  jurisdiction  ;  to  which  \ve  could  not  submit.''    He 
noticed,  that  in  the  council,  mention  was  made  of  the 
proofs  offered  on  file,  and  that  be  therefore  concluded, 
they  had  proofs  against  him  on  file,  in  writing.     That  he 
sent  to  the  scribe  for  a  copy  of  the  evidences ;  and  the 
.''cribe  declared  he  had  nothing  to  send  but  men's  names : 
That  he  then  desired  a  copy  of  the  names,  but  these  he 
never  Could  obtain.     These,  doubtless,  were  no  other  than 
the  complainants,  and  they  were  not  willing  that  it  should 
be  known  that  they  had  condemned  their  brother  merely 
upon  the  articles  of  complaint,  and  the  evidence  of  the 
very  persons  who  had  offered  it.     Mr.  Robbins  further  re- 
marked, that  in  the  close  of  the  resqU,  it  was  attested 
by  the  scribes  that  it  was,  nemine  contradicente  ;  whereas^ 
one  of  the  Rev.  council  had  assl^■ed  hjm  that  he  was  not  in 


cotibocia- 
tion. 


Ar.  Vlli.  ■  ^*„^p.  VTIL 


CONNECTICUT. 


J'2.5 


the  result;  that  he  did  not  votP  that  what  was  offered  a- Book  IT. 
(rainst  the  jurisdiction  of  the  council  was  insuflicient,  norv^-v^-w 
ihat  they  had  the  right  of  jurisdiction.     He  also  said,  he    1746. 
o|)i)08ca  the  passing  of  one  of  the  articles.     And  he  declar- 
ed, that  as  he  could  not  vote  with  the  council  in  every  ar- 
:iclc,  so  that  when  they  were  proposed  to  be  passed  all  to- 
jrcthcr,  he  did  not  hold  up  his  hand. 

Mr.  Robbins  further  remarks,  that  one  of  the  Reverend 
(ouncil,  had  told  him,  since  the  result,  that  he  settled  un- 
Jcrthe  Say  brook  platform,  wherea*,  he  affirms,  that  at  the 
lime  of  his  ordination,  he  had  never  seen  it.  He  says, 
•  I  well  remember  the  ordination  council  asked  me  whether 
1  approved  of  the  Saybrook  platform  ?  I  answered  I  could 
not  tell,  for  I  had  never  seen  it.  Then  they  asked  me,  if 
I  approved  the  assembly's  catechism  ?  I  replied,  1  did. 
And  so  thev  proceeded  to  my  ordination,  without  saying 
jny  thing  further  to  me  on  that  subject." 

In  this  important  crisis,  when  thus  condemned  by  the  * 
consociation,  Mr.  Robbins  judged  it  expedient  to  know 
the  minds  and  feelings  of  his  brethren. .  A  church  meeting 
was  called  on  the  22d  of  January,  1747.  At  which  time,  ^^°'  ^''*'^' 
iho  articles  of  charge  were  read,  with  Mr.  Robbins'  an- 
swer to  them ;  and  the  church  passed  the  following  votes, 
viz.       •  ^  ^ 

"  1.  We  are  of  opinion,  that  what  is  contained  in  the  Votes  of 
said  articles  of  charge  against  the  pastor  of  this  church,  ^/^"IP"^* 
respecting  doctrine  and  principles,  is  very  wrongfully  and 
injuriously  charged,  and  disagreeable  to  the  known  course 
and  tenor  of  his  preaching — We  are  generally  steady  at- 
tendants on  his  mmistry,  and  do  not  remember  that  he  has 
ever  expressed  himself  as  charged  in  those  articles — And 
as  to  what  respects  his  conduct,  we  apprehend  it  wrong- 
I'ully  represented  in  the  articles  of  charge.    Indeed,  his 
admitting  Mr.  Davenport  to  preach  at  that  time,  and  so 
Messrs.  Buel  and  Brainard  to  hold  a  meeting  at  his  house, . 
as  they  did  cany  it  on,  was  what  we  could  not,  some  of  us, 
so  well  approve  of,  under  circumstances,  and  we  do  not 
tliink  that  he  would  act  in  the  same  form  again. 

"  2.  We  think  Mr.  Robbins'  answers  to  said  articles, 
are  according  to  truth,  and  agreeable  to  his  known  prin- 
ciples and  doctrine.  Some  of  us  remember  the  particular 
passages  in  hie  sermons,  which  are  quoted  in  his  answers 
to  said  articles,  and  they  truly  represent  what  was  deliv- 
ered. 

"  3.  We  think  Mr.  Robbins  preaches  the  doctrines  of 
free  grace,  more  clearly  and  pungently,  than  in  some  of 
the  fu:st  years  of  his  ministry  among  us ;  and  yet,  we  have 


224 


1I1ST0KY  OF 


Chap.  VIH 


0 


I 


Rr-iiiftrks 
on  the 
treatment 
of  Mr. 

RobhiiiH, 
by  the  con' 
*ocialion. 


too  much  reason  to  fear,  our  unrusy  Idclhrfin  and  ncig}|. 
hours,  especially  some  of  the  principal  men  amoni^  them, 
are  dissatisfied  on  account  of  (hose  doctrines  ;  whirhdo<- 
trines  for  our  part  We  think  arc  clearly  revealed  in  ih,. 
ivoixl  of  God,  adhered  to  by  the  reformed  cliurches,  as  ap. 
pears  by  their  confessions  of  faith  and  catechisms — And 
•\vc  trust,  GckI  has  and  will  impress  them  on  our  hearts,  atid 
will  enable  un  to  maintain  them  as  \oivr  as  we  live. 

"  4.  That  the  above  votes  be  signed  by  the  deacons  o, 
this  church,  in  behalf  of  the  church. 

"  Accordingly  we,  who  heartily  join  with  our  brclhrci, 
in  the  above  votes ;  subscribe  our  names. 

John  Russell,  >  Deacons  of  the  firsi 
Samuel  Rose,  5  church  in  Branford. 

"  The  above  was  voted  nemine  contradicente.     A  trur 
cony. 
"  Test.  Philemon  Robbins,  Pastor,  &c.  in  Branford." 

Various  remarks  were  made  on  the  proceedings  of  thr 
consociation  with  Mr.  Robbins,  some  extracts  from  whicli 
are  necessary  to  give  a  just  history  of  the  times.  A  cer 
lain  clergyman  in  a  communication  made  to  Mr,  Robbins. 
printed  at  the  close  of  his  narrative,  remarks,  "  The  ques- 
tion  whether  your  preaching  there  (at  Wallingford)  with- 
out Mr.  Whittelsey's  consent,  was  disorderly  or  not,  de- 
pends on  the  moanmg  of  the  word  parish,  in  the  resolve  ol 
the  council  at  Guilford,  Nov.  24th,  1741,  wherein  it  is 
said.  For  a  minister  to  enter  into  another  minister's  parish 
and  preach,  &c.  without  the  consent  of,  or  in  opposition 
to  the  settled  minister  of  the  parish  is  disorderly.*  For. 
if  in  preaching  there  as  you  did,  you  did  nothing  contrar}' 
to  the  natural  and  true  meaning  of  that  restive,  your  so 
doing  cannot  be  disorderly  by  that  resolve ;  and  I  sup- 
pose it  but  just,  to  understand  the  word  parish  in  the  re- 
solve of  the  New-Haven  county  consociation,  in  the  same 
sense,  though  they  may  put  a  different  sense  upon  it.  Now 
I  take  il,  that  by  the  word  parish,  in  the  said  resolve  of 
the  council  at  Guilford,  is  to  be  understood  an  ecclesias- 
tical society,  and  not  a  circuit  of  ground  which  people 
do  inhabit,  that  belong  to  several  churches.  For  although 
it  be  true,  most  of  our  ecclesiastical  societies  have  their  dis- 
tinct local  bounds,  or  circuits  drawn,  yet  they  have  iiot 
all,  as  at  Hartford  and  Guilford,  are  two  ecclesiastical  so- 
cieties in  one  circuit  of  ground ;  so  there  are  several  such 

*  From  this  scrap  of  the  doings  of  the  council,  at  Guilford,  which  is  all 
that  I  have  ever  been  able  to  obtain,  it  appears  that  the  extraordinar) 
}aw  for  punishing  minivers,  had  its  origia  ia  t|ie  clergy  who  wtrc  oj 
posed  to  the  work  then  in  the  country. 


f  HAP.  Vll*. 


CONNECTICUT. 


22& 


like  circuits,  tfhcrein  there  is  a  baptist  church,  and  one  of  Book  II. 
another  denomination  :  so  also  others,  wherein  arc  those  y^r->r^ 
of  the  church  of  England  communion,  and  of  our  own.    1747. 
Any  otner  understanding  of  the  word  will  infer  the  ab-  nemarl^ 
surdity  of  subjecting  ecclesiastical  societies  and  minis- &c. 
tcrs  one  to  another,  m  an  unreasonable  and  preposterous 
manner ;  and  depriving  some  ministers  and  churches  of 
such  rights  as  all  confess  they  have.     As  for  instance,  I 
will  suppose,  that  tlie  first  church  in  Hartford,  with  its  pas- 
tof,  may  not  invite  or  suffer  any  other  minister  to  preach 
to  said   firirt  church,  without  the  consent  of  the  second  ; 
and  that  the  minister,  who  shduld  so  preach  in  the   first 
rhurch,  must  be  judged  disorderly  for  it.     I  suppose  it  is 
the  common  understanding,  since  this  resolve  at  Guilford, 
that  either  of  the  said  ministers,  or  churches,  has  a  right  to 
invite  a  minister  t6  preach  in  them  without  asking  leave  of 
one  another ;  and  that  they  have  practised  accordingly. 
Nor  can  I  suppose  a  minister's  preaching  to  the  baptists 
in  New-Lonaon  or  Groton,  upon  their  minister's  desire, 
without  the  consent  of  the  ministers  in  the  first  churches  ia 
New-London  and  Groton,  within  the  bounds  of  which  the 
baptists  dwell ;  or  a  minister's  preaching  to  those  of  the 
chiirch  of  England,  on  their  incumbent's,  Mr.  Jdhnson's 
desire,  without  the  consent  of  the  minister  of  the  first 
church,  in  Stratford,  would  be  accounted  disorderly. 

"  As  to  the  objection  that  they  are  not  a  lawful  society, 
at  Wallingford,  not  having  taken  benefit  of  king  William's 
act  of  toleration,  I  would  say,  the  baptists  are  allowed  by 
the  laws  of  this  colony,  to  enjoy  or  attend  their  own  way 
of  worship,  without  qualifying  themselves  according  to 
the  aforesaid  act.  That  tne  same  privileges  had  been 
granted  to  themi  as  to  the  quakers,  oy  the  act  passed  iii 
their  favor,  in  1729.  Agreeable  to  this,  was  the  advice 
of  goverrior  Talcott  to  the  collector^  relative  to  the  bap- 
tists at  Wallingford."  The  remarker  insists  therefore, 
that  Mr.  Robbins'  preaching  at  Wallingford,  was  not  a- 
gainst  the  Guilford  resolve,  nor  that  ofthe  resolve  of  the 
consociation  of  New-Haren  county,  understood  consist- 
ently with  reason,  nor  contrary  to  any  law  of  this  colony. 

On  the  proceedings  and  result  of  the  consociation,  n«^ 
remarks,  "  That  according  to  the  natural  construction  of 
the  preamble,  or  preface  to  the  judgment,  it  must  be  sup- 
posed you  was  present  at  the  trial,  confronting  the  evi- 
dences brought  in  against  you,  for  it  is  said  the  consocia- 
tion proceeded  to  consider  the  Complaint,  the  parties  ap* 
peanng,  &c.  'Tis  true  they  say  you  denied  the  jurisdic- 
uon  of  the  council,  but  not  a  word  n  noted  of  your  refusf 

X)2 


120 


IIIS'IORV  OF 


(^MAf.  Vlll.     I    cniT.VW 


1717. 


Book  II.  int,  lo|ilc;ul  lirforc  llicni,  aflcr  ilipy  liAcl  dnl^'miiricd  (ha» 
llu'v  had  jiiristlictioii.  It  is  no  new  thin?;,  nor  unromtnon 
lor  a  person  to  mukc  such  a  pica,  before  a  judge,  who. 
when  overruled  therein,  proceeds  to  a  further  plea,  in  hi^ 
defenre ;  and  the  omission  of  noting  your  refusal  to  nn 
swerihe  articles  before  them,  iniist,  I  think,  leave  the  ren- 
der of  thai  judgment  with  an  apprehension,  that  you  ap- 
pcarod  on  ilie  trial  of  the  artich?s,  especially  when  it  is 
ronsidbrcd  thai  they  say,  "  they  proceeded  to  hear  the  ar- 
ticles,  examine  evidences  for  the  support  of  them,  and  find 
the  following  things,  &c.  sufficiently  proved."  It  being;, 
as  I  conceive,  contrary  to  an  equitable  procedure,  for  n 
council  to  do  what  they  here  say  they  did;  and  the  part^ 
to  bo  tried,  not  there  to  answer  for  himself.  Add  to  this, 
that  there  is  no  remark  made,  in  any  part  of  their  judg- 
ment, of  your  contemning  the  authority  of  the  consocia- 
tion, for  refusing  to  be  tried  by  them  :  which  surely  a  rea- 
der of  their  judgment  would  expect  to  find,  if  they  had  s 
tight  to  try  you,  and  you  had  refused  to  be  tried  by  them. 
So  that  from  the  face  of  the  judgment,  you  are  represented 
as  having  been  present  at  the  trial,  and  pleading  for  your- 
self, ahd  on  a  full  trial  found  guilty,  of  publicly  teaching  a 
number  of  errors,  &c.  when  really  the  case  was  otherwise. 

"  You  are  condemned  as  guilty,  &c.  without  ever  being 
heard  in  your  own  defence,  upon  defective  evidence,  which 
I  take  to  be  contrary  to  equity.  I  conceive  it  to  be  con- 
trary to  Say  brook  platform,  which  the  consociation  pre- 
tends to  be  governed  by  ;  where  it  is  expressly  said,  in  the 
eleventh  article,  "  That  if  any  person  orderly  v(,/npiained 
of  to  a  council,  having  regular  notification  to  appear,  shall 
neglect  or  refuse  so  to  do,  except  such  person  shall  give 
some  satisfying  reason  thereof,  he  shall  be  judged  guil* 
ty  of  scandalous  contempt."  It  is  wholly  silent  on  dieir 
proceeding  to  a  trial  of  the  cause  in  such  case.  Here  the 
council  pass  no  sentence  of  contempt  for  refusing  to  ap- 
pear ;  and  proceed  to  try  the  cause  in  such  a  way,  wherein 
the  truth  is  most  unlikely  to  appear.  Ten  of  the  articles, 
the  council  in  their  judgment  say  relate  to  your  public 
preaching  and  doctrine,  which  they  say  were  sufficiently 
j^roved.  I  am  of  opinion,  that  your  foregoing  answers  to 
the  several  articles,  do  sufBcieutly  defend  you  against  the 
charge  of  such  preaching. 

"  Indeed,  it  seems  somewhat  hard,  such  a  complaint, 
should  be  received  against  a  minister  of  Christ,  charging 
falschood,  &c.  on  his  public  preaching,   in  so  general 
a  manner,  without  mentioning  time,  or  place,  or  text  dis 
Coitfscd  on,  when  the  false  doctrine  was  supposed  to  bo 


€«Ar.  VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


077 


rirlivcred.     I  «uppo»r  it  contrary  to  the  methods  of  trial  Book  M 
in  civil  courts,  and  subiccts  a   ^lerson  to  such  ilitritiiltics  v.^^^-^^ 
and  disadvantagos  for  his  own  defence,  a*  the  civil  authori-    1 717. 
y  will  not  sufTcr  the  king's  Hubjectfl  to  lie  under.  u»niBrk», 

"  But  then  how  are  these  proved  against  you  .'     Why,  ii 
',}y  evidences   (without  your  being  present  to  answer  for 
yourself,)  who  had  taken  oflence  against  you,  for  these 
and  several  other  things  mcntionea  in  their  complaint. 
Now,  if  it  be  considered,  that  it  is  no  uncommon  thing, 
for  persons  not  prejudiced  against  a  preacher,  to  misap- 
j)ichcnd  some  passages  he  may  deliver,  either  from  want 
of  attention,  or  from  not  observing  the  connection  of  a  dis- 
course and  the  like,  that  the  omission  or  (bidding  of  a  word, 
or  the  alteration,  or  misplacing  of  a  word,  wiHgivc  a  dif- 
t'erent  meaning;  that  a  sentence  or  passage  abstracted 
Irora  its  relation  to  what  preceded  or  followed,  appears  to 
be  of  a  diifercnt  sense  from  what  it  really  had  in  the  dis- 
course ;  if  these  evidences  had  committed  the  sentences 
to  writing  when  they  supposed  you  spake  them,  or  if  they 
had  so  done  before  the  council,  and  sworn  to  them,  (though 
by  what  the  scribe  of  the  consociation  says,  they  never 
were  written  at  all ;)  in  cither  of  the  cases  there  would  have 
leen  a  deficiency  in  the  proof:  but  then  so  much  of  pre- 
judice as  is  in  the  mind  of  the  hearer  against  a  preachei*, 
<;o  much  is  his  evidence  in  that  casrt  weakened;  which  was 
the  case  here.     Your  unprejudiced  hearers,  it  seems,  nev- 
er understood  any  passage  in  your  sermons,  as  these  cvi* 
donees  pretend  to  have  done ;  and  as  to  some  of  the  arti- 
cles, they  can  witness  for  you,  that  you-preach  the  contra- 
ry, as  is  evident  by  their  declaration  at  a  church  meeting. 
And  a  just  presumption  of  prejudice  lies  against  these  evi- 
dences, ana  so  of  mistake,  about  what  thev  evidence ; 
^vhen  it  was  well  known  to  the  council,  that  the  generality 
of  the  church  and  congregation,  (of  many  of  whom  it  may 
be  said  without  offence,  that  they  were  as  understanding 
and  judicious  hearers  as  the  eviucnces  were,  and  as  con- 
scientiously concerned  to  bear  testimony  against  errors  in 
doctrine,  had  they  heard  you  deliver  any)  were  satisfied  of 
the  soundness  of  your  preaching.     So  that  on  the  whole,  I 
think  it  apparei  i,  the  judgment  is  founded  on  such  evi- 
dence as  is  in  its  own  nature  deficient,  for  the  proof  of 
your  preaching  false  doctrine  ;  and  will  really  amount  to 
just  nothing,  if  your  answers  thereto  be  considered. 

"  Ar  '  as  to  the  fact,  it  is  pretty  remarkable,  that  they 
should  judge  you  guilty  of  teaching  a  number  of  errors, 
enumerating  ten,  with  some  others  say  they,  as  appears 
by  the  articles  of  complaint  and  proofs  on  file,  and  ther^ 


H-i 


338 


HISTORY  OF 


^HAf.  VIU.   ■  C»Af.  VIU 


Remorlu, 


u 


Book  II.  nhouM  be  no  proofx  on  file,  but  mcnVs  namen  ;  as  it  lenni 
v^^v>^  the  scribe  says  then*  arc  no  otiirr.     So  that  by  his,  and 
1747,     their  own  account  taken  together,  their  HutTicient  proof  j^ 
au  article  ofcompbint,  with  Rome  names  affixed  to  it.^* 

He  proceeds  to  remark  on  the  great  diHcrence  betwppn 
the  judgment  which  the  cor  <ociali<»n  gave  and  that  of  srnn. 
dalous  contempt,  which  inc  constitution  directs  them  to 
have  found  and  denounced  aj^ainst  Mr.  Robbins,  had  Ir- 
in  fact  been  under  their  jurisdiction. 

But  he  insists,  that  Mr.  Robbins  and  his  church  wrrc 
never  under  Saybrook  platform  ;  that  without  some  vole 
or  act  of  the  church  adopting  it,  or  consenting  to  it,  thry 
could  not  be  under  it ;  but  no  such  vote  or  act  could  U 
found  :    That  Mr.  Russell,  in  his  day,  and  the  church,  were 
congregational,  and  a  majority  of  them  had  always  hern 
so  to  that  day.     And  if  they  ever  had  been,  they  were  not 
so  after  passing   the   vote,  Nov.  4lh,   1745;  and  conse- 
quently, tne  consociation  had  no  jurisdiction  over  them. 
Every  pastor  and  church  had  a  right  to  judge  what  consti- 
tution was  most  agreeable  to  the  word  of  God,  and  ought 
to  confoiin  to  it.  To  suppose  otherwise,  is  to  suppose  that 
Saybrook  platform,  or  some  other  human  composition  or 
establishment,  is  the  rule,  and  the  scripture   is  to  be  set 
aside.     But  the  right  of  private  judgment,  in  religion, 
never  can  be  given  away.     "  On  this  very  principle,  the 
unalienable  right  of  private  judgment,  I  talce  it,  those  wor- 
thies acted,  who  were  once  of  tne  church  of  England  com* 
munion,  had  actually  consented  to  its  discipline,  and  ac- 
tually separated  therefrom,  many  of  whom  came  over  and 
planted    these    New-England  churches.     These  always 
judged  themselves  injuriously  treated,  when  stigmatized 
with  the  name  of  schismatics ;  by  some  of  those  from  whom 
thety  separated.     And  what  wise  man  does  not  think  so  ? 
And  it  seems  hard  treatment  to  be  branded  by  the  council 
with  such  an  epithet,  without  everbein^  heard  in  your  vin- 
dication, or  the  church's  being  ever  cited  to  appear  and 
ans(wer  for  itself,  which  I  take  to  be  di-  -^ctly  contrary  to 
the  5th  article,  under  the  head  of  communion  of  churches, 
among  the  heads  of  agreement,  assented  to  by  the  united 
ministers,  formerly  called  presbyterian  and  congregation- 
al; according  to  which,  those  who  consent  to  take  Say- 
brook platform,  for  the  administration  of  church  discipline 
are  obliged  to  practice.     The  words  are,  '^  Qne  church 
ought  not  to  blame  the  proceedings  of  another,  until  it  hath 
heard  what  that  church,  its  elders  or  messengers,  can  say 
in  vindication  of  themselves,  from  any  charge  of  irregular 
or  injurigus  proceedings."     The  reason  holds  as  good 


A'.  VIII.   I  CMir.  VIU. 


CONNFCTICIJT. 


2'2» 


ugainAt  a  rniinrir.H  jiiJ^ini^  in  swU  u  <  ;im<  .  n^  a  pnrt.iuhir  Dook  IT. 
church:  and  you  have  tJon«  noihint^  id  nwrit  mh  li  a  cm-  n«^^/-^^ 
jiurc,  but  exrrciHC  that  right  ot  m-iv  mo  ludi^mcnt.  which    1747. 
vou  never  did,  nor  can  give  up  :  And  .it  ih*<  ^amo  timf'  you  pi  mBrk% 
have  voted  your  IW'cdom  to  hold  coiiununion,  not  only  with  .Vi 
onfrregalional  churches  and  church  men»brr<«  that  are  in 
_jood  standing,  but  with  those  that  ar*'  culled  preshyterian, 
jnd  aUo  with  those  under  tho  Sa\  brook  platform  regimen  { 
IS  desirous  of  maintaioing  a  unity  •  i  the  spirit  in  tliu  burul 
of  peace. 

"  But  further,  if  the  ground  of  this  harsh  sentence  lie* 
m  this,  viz.  your  separating  from  an  ecclesiastical  consti- 
tution which  has  a  civil  establishment,  as  I  know  not  but 
thry  intend  so  to  be  understoo<l  :  To  this  it  may  be  said, 
on  the  same  foundation,  multitudes  of  innocents  in  the 
christian  world,  as  well  as  in  our  own  nation,  must  be  con- 
demned, I  will  not  dwell  on  this — but  this  I  might  say, 
that  the  civil  authority  have  no  power  to  establish  any  hu- 
jnan  composure,  or  form  of  church  government,  as  a  rule- 
binding  to  christians.  This  I  suppose  has  been  uncxcep- 
tionabiy  proved  in  a  pamphlet,  entitled  the  essential  rights 
of  protestants.  But  I  add,  the  civil  authority,  so  far  as  I 
can  find,  never  intended  by  an  act  of  theirs,  to  oblige  the 
churches  in  this  colony  to  be  under  or  to  conform  to  that 
platform.  What  they  did  in  this  matter,  may  be  seen  in 
[he  141st  page  of  the  colony  law  book.  The  very  title  oi' 
the  act  speaks  (as  I  take  it)  the  sense  of  the  legislature,  so 
far  as  the  present  question  is  concerned.  It  is  called  *'  an 
act  in  approbation  of  the  agreement  of  the  Rev.  elders  and 
messengers  of  all  the  churches  in  this  government,  made 
andconcludcdat  Saybrook,  1708."  And  in  the  enacting 
part,  they  declare  their  great  approbation  of  such  a  hap- 
py agreement,  and  do  ordain  that  all  the  churches  within 
this  government,  that  are  or  shall  be  thus  united  in  doc- 
trine, worship  and  discipline,  be  and  for  the  future  shall 
be  owned  and  acknowledged  established  by  law.  Then 
follows  a  proviso  :  That  nothing  herein  shall  be  intended 
or  construed  to  hinder  any  society  or  church,  that  is  or 
shall  be  allowed  by  the  laws  of  this  government,  from  cxr 
ercising  worship  and  discipline  in  their  own  way,  acpord- 
ing  to  tneir  consciences.  1  can  see  nothing  in  all  this,  that 
they  intended  to  make  a  rule  of  discipline  for  the  churches, 
or  bind  any  of  them  to  receive  this  platform,  but  the  con- 
trary. They  do  npt  turn  the  articles  of  the  platform  into 
laws,  but  declare  bnly  their  approbation  of  them.  It  is 
certain  then,  you  have  broken  no  law  of  the  goverment  in 
refusing  the  Saylj^rook  platform,  and  preferring  that  of 
Caqibndgc. 


J  1 


r    1 


230 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  Vllf.  I  *"*»••  "^''^'• 


m 


•■'i- 


■Nov.  4th. 


Book  II.      "  I  niight  go  on  to  make  somo  rurtlicr  remarks,  on  tlic 
v^->^'^^  extraordinary  proceedings  of  this  council,  but   forbear, 
J  747,     having  said  enough  to  shew,  both  the  church  and  its  pastor. 
to  he  innocent  of  the  crimes  they  are  judged  guihy  of." 

As  Mr.  Robbinh  was  conscious  of  his  innocence,  Ik 
could  make  no  confession  for  the  pretended  faults  for  which 
he  was  condemned.  Had  he  been  guilty,  and  a  righteous 
sentence  denounced  against  him,  he  might,  upon  a  proper 
confession,  have  been  restored ;  but  as  the  case  now  was, 
he  could  make  no  confession.  If  the  consociation  would 
proceed,  there  was  nothing  before  him  but  ie position. 

In  this  crisis  of  affairs,  a  society's  meeting  being  rcgu 
larly  convened  on  the  4th  of  November,  1747,  it  was  vo- 
ted, "  That  the  doings  of  the  consociation  against  Mi\ 
Kobbins,  should  not  be  read  in  the  meeting."  It  was  then 
further  voted,  "That  whereas  the  first  church  of  Christ  in 
Branford,  was  first  settled  on,  or  agreeable  to  the  platform, 
drawn  up  and  agreed  upon  at  Cambridge,  in  the  year 
1648;  agreeable  to  which,  said  church  ruled  and  govern. 
ed  in  peace :  And  whereas,  after  the  settlement  of  a  plat- 
form of  church  government  at  Saybrook,  the  said  chureh. 
with  their  minister,  did,  once  or  twice,  choose  their  mes- 
senger to  attend  the  consociation  of  ihe  churches  ;  but  did 
not  renounce  the  form  of  government  on  which  the  said 
church  was  settled,  nor  vote  themselves  under  the  Say- 
brook  platform :  And  whereas  the  said  first  church,  whicli 
is  now  the  church  in  this  society,  being  under  such  circum- 
stances, settled  the  Rev.  Mr.  Philemon  Hobbins  in  the 
ministry  here,  who  was  chosen  by  this  society  and  the 
said  church,  for  their  minister  and  pastor ;  who  has  con- 
tinued in  said  office  to  general  satisfaction :  And  whereas, 
by  reason  of  some  late  difference,  arising  by  means  of  some 
uneasy  persons  in  this  society,  it  was  found  necessary  that 
both  the  church  and  society  should  more  explicitly  declare 
which  rule  of  government  they  would  agree  to,  and  be  gov- 
erned by ;  therefore,  the  church  in  this  society,  at  their 
meeting,  November  4th,  1745,  declared  their  renunciation 
of  Saybrook  platform  aforesaid,  and  declared  the  same  to 
be  a  congregational  church;  and  this  society,  at  their 
meeting,  October  2 1st,  declared  their  denial  to  be  govern- 
ed by,  or  submission  to,  the  acts  or  conclusions  of  council, 
lonned  on  the  Saybrook  platform,  without  their  being  call- 
ed by  the  consent  of  the  society :  And  whereas,  notwith- 
standing the  church  in  this  society  is  congregational,  and 
this  society  agree  with  the  church  in  those  prmciples ;  yet 
the  consociation  of  New-Haven  county,  since  the  said  4th 
pf  November,  on  the  complaint  of  one  n^eqiber  of  said 


«*»••  VIII.  I  *"*''•  ^"^'* 


CONNECTICUT. 


'iJt 


burch,  assumed  to  themselves  a  pretended  government  Book  II. 
and  jurisdiction  over  this  church  and  society ;  and  have,  v^-v^/ 
without  hearing  the  parties  or  persons  concerned,  pretend- 
fci  to  come  into  conclusions  respecting  our  reverend  elder ; 
,nd,  without  knowing  the  truth  from  him,  the  church,  or  * 
ocieiy,  have,  as  we  arc  credibly  informed,  passed  a  sen- 
(iicc,  bv  which  they  endeavour  to  depose  him,  the  said 
Mr.  Roboins : — Wherefore,  lest  such  an  extraordinary  step 
houlci  tend  to  our  disturbance,  and  create  scruples  iu 
weak  minds,  the  society  do  now,  by  this,  their  vote,  dc- 
riare,  that  wc  own  the  said  Mr.  Robbins  to  be  our  lawful 
md  worthy  minister;  and  do  now  renewedly  declare  tiie 
continuance  of  our  choice  of  him  to  be  our  minister,  ac- 
cording to  the  laws  of  this  government :  And  further  de- 
clare, that  we  will  continue  to  support  and  assist  him,  as 
formerly  :  and  that  we  arc  of  opinion,  that  the  conclusions 
of  the  consociation  are  not,  by  this  society,  to  be  acknow- 
ledged or  regarded." 

The  consociation  proceeded  to  depose  Mr.  Robbins. 
The  sabbath  after,  he  preached  from  1  Cor.  ix.  16.  "  For 
necessity  is  laid  upon  me ;  yea,  woe  is  unto  me,  if  I  preach 
not  the  gospel."  Some  of  the  people  went  to  meeting,  with 
iiesltation  whether  he  would  attempt  to  preach,  or  if  he- 
>houId,  whether  they  should  stay  and  hear  him  or  not ;  but 
lie  made  such  an  extraordinary  prayer,  as  arrested  all  their 
ittention,  and  deeply  impressed  their  minds.  They  judg- 
ed that  such  a  prayer  had  never  been  made  ;before  in  that 
Iiouse.  They  aU  tarried,  to  hear  what  he  would  preach  to 
them.  And  here  again  he  gained  their  attention,  and  en- 
tered deeply  into  their  feelings.  They  imagined  that  hi* 
discourses  were  not  less  extraordinary  than  his  prayer. 
He  continued  preaching,  and  performed  all  ministerial  du- 
ties, as  he  had  done  before,  and  the  people  attended  his 
ministrations.  The  society  advanced  his  salary,  and  en- 
couraged him  by  public  acts  of  generosity. 

At  the  session  of  the  assembly,  in  May,  1748,  Joseph  MaT;i748. 
Prisbie  and  Nathaniel  Harrison,  who  had  been  the  most 
zealous  complainants  and  actors  against  Mr.  Robbins,  with 
some  others  of  the  disaftected  party,  preferred  a  petition  to 
the  assembly,  to  interpose,  and  adopt  measures  for  their 
relief.  The  society,  upon  a  citation,  appointed  agents  to 
appear  before  the  assembly,  to  act  in  their  behalf,  as  occa- 
sion should  require.  The  assembly,  on  hearing  the  par- 
ties, appointed  a  council,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Eliphalet  Adams,  of  New-London ;  Ebenezer  Williams,  of 
Pomfret ;  Benjamin  Lord,  of  Norwich  •,  Solomon  Williams. 
of  Lebanoa;  Stephen  Steele,  of  Tolland ;  Ashbel  Wood- 


i 


232 


HISTORV  OF 


GlIAP.  Vm.    I    r  HAP.  VII 


Book  11.  bridge,  of  Glastonbury ;  and  Noah  Hubbard,  of  Fairfield. 

Vi^-v-"^,^  These  gentlemen  were  directed  by  the  assembly,  to  hear 

1743.    all  the  grieva'nccs  of  the  respective  parties,  and  to  use  theii 

endeavours  to  make  peace  in  the  society.     The  asscmblv 

^      advised  the  parties  freely  to  communicate  all  the  difficul 

ties  to  the  council,  and  recommended  it  to  them  to  submii 

to  their  advice. 

June  liJth.  Soon  after  the  rising  of  the  General  Assembly,  the  firs? 
society  in  Branford,  in  a  regular  meeting,  accepted  of  thr 
advice  which  had  been  given,  and  appointed  gentlemen  u, 
desire  the  ministers  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly, 
with  their  delegates,  to  meet  in  council  at  Branford,  and 
the  day  for  their  meeting  was  appointed^  but  the  councif 
did  not  meet. 

The  society  again  voted  their  earnest  desire,  that  the 
council  would  come,  and  appointed  men  to  wait  on  the  sev- 
eral ministers,  and  urge  it  upon  them,  to  attend  the  service 
to  which  they  had  been  appointed.  But,  it  seems,  the 
council  never  met.  They  perceived,  undoubtedly,  insu- 
perable difficulties  in  the  way.  The  assembly's  appoint- 
ing a  council  was  unconstitutional,  and  subversive  of  their 
own  law,  by  which  they  had  established  the  constitution, 
and  made  the  determinations  of  the  consociations  a  final 
issue,  and  bound  all  parties  to  sit  down  by  it.  They  could 
easily  perceive,  that  they  could  do  nothing  for  the  relief  of 
Mr.  Robbins,  and  the  church  and  society,  without,  in  some 
measure,  setting  aside  the  judgment  of  the  consociation; 
which  would,  at  once,  involve  them  in  a  controversy  with 
the  ministers  of  New-Haven  county.  If  they  could  not  do 
that,  they  must  leave  the  matter  as  it  was*  There  tvas  no 
going  back  nor  forward,  without  very  great  difficulties. 
They,  therefore,  judged  it  expedient  not  to  meddle  in  the 
affair.  The  disaflfected  party  by  degrees  became  recon- 
ciled, and  the  society  enjoyed  peace* 

The  assembly  manifested  their  zeal  to  suppress  the  new- 
lights,  as  the  zealous  Calvinistic  ministers  and  people  were 
then  called,  by  turning  oat  esquire  Russell  and  esquin 
Gould,  and  by  putting  into  the  same  office  one  Harrison, 
who  had  been  one  of  the  complainants  against  Mr.  Robbins. 
Mr.  Robbins  was  a  most  inoffensive  gentleman  ;  m"Id, 
peaceable,  and  a  peace-maker ;  was  uncommonly  gifted  in 
prayer ;  a  sound  and  searching  preacher,  and  greatly  be- 
loved by  his  people.  He  was  popular  in  the  neighbouring 
towns  and  societies,  and  gradually  grew  into  esteem  among 
his  brethren  in  the  ministry.  In  the  year  1755,  about  sev- 
en years  after,  he  was  invited  to  sit  with  the  consociation, 
at  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Street,  at  East-Haven;  and  no  ob- 


lAp.  viit.  I  r»»A^' 


VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


133 


lections  were  m^iAc  on  the  account  of  any  thin:  wliich  had  Book  If. 
passes!  in  the  timrs  of  his  trouble.  s^-'T^^ 

The  friends  of  Calvinism,  zealous  experimental  preach-  (748. 
ing,  and  vital  religion,  greatly  increased,  and  gentlemen 
who  had  been  kept  out  of  the  assembly  because  they  had 
turn  friends  to  the  religious  awakening,  were  now  chosen 
agjiin  by  the  freemen.  The  justices  who  had  been  turned 
out  at  Branford,  were  again  put  into  office,  and  the  scvcik; 
measures  against  the  zealous  ministers  and  people,  became 
unpopular,  and  the  old  lights,  as  they  had  been  called, 
r.uhcr  lost  credit  in  the  colony.  Many,  indeed,  viewed 
ijicm  as  haters  of  God,  opposers  to  his  truth,  and  pei-se- 
cutors  of  his  servants. 

At  the  General  Assembly,  this  year,  upon  the  memorial  May, 
of  the  first  society  in  Hebron,  presented  by  the  principal  174«. 
men  of  the  town,  representing  that  the  Rev.  Benjamin 
Pomeroy,  their  pastor,  conformed  to  the  laws  of  the  colo- 
ny, and  performed  the  ministerial  office  to  the  great  satis- 
faction of  the  people  ;  he  was  restored  to  the  benefit  of  the 
laws.  The  legislature  ordered  that  the  information  lodged 
against  him  should  be  given  up,  and  that  his  salary,  in 
future,  should  be  paid,  as  though  no  such  information  had 
been  lodged  against  him.  Thus  after  several  years  pun- 
ishment and  persecution,  for  preaching  the  gospel  to  a 
multitude  of  people  thirsting  for  the  words  of  life,  and  that 
without  other  offence,  he  was  restored  to  the  common 
rights  of  men.* 

At  the  same  session  of  the  assembly,  Solomon  Paine  of 
Canterbury,  and  Matthew  Smith  of  Stonington,  preferred 
a  memorial  in  their  own  names  and  in  the  name  of  about 
three  hundred  others,  of  those  who  had  separated  from  the 
standing  ministers  and  churches  in  the  colony,  represent- 
ing that  "  they  were  the  loyal  subjects  of  King  George, 
and  most  of  them  freemen  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut : 
That  liberty  of  conscience  in  matters  of  religion,  was  the 
unalienable  right  of  every  man  ;  that  for  the  enjoyment  of 
this  liberty,  our  forefathers  left  their  native  country  for  a 
howling  wilderness ;  that  God  had,  in  all  ages,  greatly 
blessed  those  who,  with  zeal  and  integrity,  had  stood  for 
the  glory  of  God,  and  this  liberty  of  conscience,  in  his 

*  Mr.  soon  after  Dr.  Pomeroy,  had  an  opportunity  of  exhibiting  an  ex- 
cellent spirit  towards  Mr.  Little,  who  shut  him  out  of  his  pulpit,  and  had 
been  the  occasion  of  his  so  long  losing  his  legal  salary.  Mr.  Little,  at  the 
invitation  of  some  of  Mr.  Pomeroy's  people,  came  into  Hebron  and  preach- 
ed in  his  parish  without  his  leave,  in  direct  violation  ot  the  law.  Many 
nf  Mr.  Poinr.roy's  parishioners  were  for  lodging  a  complaint  against  Mm, 
but  Mr.  Pomeroy  used  (dl  bis  influence  against  it,  and  prevented  it.  —- 
•lerjng  good  for  evil. »  j^^.   ,. 

E2 


ren- 


J     1     f  i'A 


334 


History  of 


Chap.  V}|:.   |  v«ap.  ^  >* 


Rook  F?.  wor»hij> ;  and  especially  our  ancrstors  :  That  in  the  char 
^:.^•^^^^  Ur  {^rallied  to  this  colony,  that  liberty  was  not  abridged: 
174;!.    atid  that  in    the  act  of  William  and  Mary,  liberty  of  ror, 
science  was  granted  to  all  their  subjects,    and  it  prohih 
ifed  ant!  disallowed    their  subjects  of  every  denomination. 
(o  iinjiosc  upon,  or  distinb  others,  &ic.     That  this  law  wa^ 
ill  font,  under  his  then   present  majesty    king  Georn- 
Tlint  in  consetiuence,  the  quakcrs,  anabaptists,  and  those 
who  worshipped  in  the  way  called  the  church  of  England 
liada|>plied  to  the  honorable  assembly,  and  had  the  force 
of  the  ecclesiastical  laws  abated  with  respect  to  them  :  yc 
that  they  who  worshipped  God  in  his  fear,  and  could  not. 
without  making  shijiwrcck  of  a  good  conscience,  worshi|i 
with  those  denominations,  were  obliged  to  suffer  fines  ant' 
imprisonments,  as  many  of  them  had  done  already,  fo.. 
preaching  the  gospel  and  other  acts  of  divine  service,  whicit 
ihey  had   perforured  by  the  command  and  power  of  God' . 
spirit ;  and  that  great  quantities  of  their  temporal  good>, 
l)y  which  they  should  serve  God  and  honor  the  kingy  had 
been  taken  from  them,  to  support  a  worship*,  which  thev 
could  not  in  conscience  uphold.     Therefore  they  prayed, 
that  their  honors  would  be  the  happy  instruments  of  un- 
binding those  burdens,  and  enact  universal  liberty,  or  foi'- 
bid  the  execution  of  those  laws."* 

The  legislature,  nevertheless,  rejected  their  petition  am! 
granted  them  no  relief.  They  suffered  much  in  their  per- 
sons and  estates.  When  they  were  called  upon  to  pay 
i-ates  to  the  ministers,  in  the  towns  and  parishes  where 
they  inhabited,  they  utterly  refused,  and  in  some  instances 
their  goods  and  chattels  were  taken  and  sold,  at  the  post, 
lor  much  less  than  their  real  value.  In  other  instances, 
they  were  committed  to  prison.  This  was  done  by  mere 
force.  They  would  neither  go  themselves  nor  ride  ;  they 
Avere  held  upon  horses  by  main  strength,  and  would  cry 
out  and  scream  until  the  blood  ran  out  at  their  mouths. 
Theso  measures  were  every  way  calculated  to-  domischiel. 
jiot  on4y  to  impoverish  individuals,  but  tlie  governmeni. 
to  beget  ill  will  among  neighboui'S,  to  prejudice  people 
against  the  government  and  the  ecclesiastical  constitutioii. 
and  to  increase  and  confirm,  rather  than  prevent  the  sepa- 
rations. Why  these  people  should  be  treated  worse  than 
quakers  and  baptists,  while  they  were  loyal  subjects,  de- 
voutly and  zealously  worshipped  God,  in  their  own  way. 
and,  excepting  their  peculiarities,  were  many  of  them  strici 
in  morals,  peaceable  and  good  inhabitants,  I  know  not. 

J  The  mernnrial  was  subscribed  by  three  hundred  and  thirty  |)ersonj 
belptising  priiKipaJly  lo  tlie  c»*Btic3  ol' Ncw-Londoq  and  Windham, 


k  a.\p. 


Vlil. 


CONNiX'TICUT. 


2.\r> 


While  Cod  was  building  »ip  Zion  and  appmrini;  in  his  Book  H. 
lory,  and  these   thinj^s  were  tninsaciinnj  in  the  country, 


luTC  were  various  writers  m  luvourol 


the  work 


Piirtieu- 


.irly,  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Dickinson,  president  of  tJie  col- 
;'j;e  in  New- Jersey  ;  the  Rev.  (Jilberl  Tennant  ;  and  in 
New-England,  tne  Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards,  f»f  Northamp- 
afterwards  president.     They  not  only  endeavoured  to 


;on 


prove  the  revival  in  the  land  to  be  the  woWc  of  God,  but 
0  correct  the  errors  attending  the  work.  Mr.  Edwards 
ivrotc  the  most  largely  wpon  the  subject,  and  brought  info 
iew  almost  every  thing  necessary  to  be  said  at  such  a 
jrne,  relative  to  the  work  itself,  the  errors,  and  impru- 
lenccs  attending  it,  and  with  regard  to  such  things  as  had 
i  tendency  to  hinder  it ;  to  show  that  all  ought,  by  all 
•leans  to  promote  it ;  and  what  things  QVght  to  be  done  for 
hat  purpose; 

In  the  first  place,  he  undertook  to  prove,  that  it  was  a 
-lorious  work  of  God  ;  a  work  which  nothing  but  the  spir- 
it and  power  of  God  couidetfect;  and  that  it  evidently  ap- 
peared so  when  judged  of  by  his  word  only.  He  says, 
•  Whatever  imprudences  there  have  been,  and  whatever 
finful  irregularities  ;  whatever  vehemence  of  the  passions, 
and  heats  of  the  imagination,  transports  and  extacies ; 
and  whatever  eiTors  in  judgment,  and  indiscreet  zeal  ;  and 
'.vhatever  outcries,  and  faintings  and  agitations  of  body ; 
yet  it  is  manifest  and  notorious,  that  tliere  has  been  of  late 
a  very  uncommon  influence  upon  the  minds  of  a  very  great 
part  of  the  inhabitants  of  New-England,  from  one  end  of 
ihc  land  to  the  other,  that  has  been  attended  with  the  f()l- 
lowing  eftccts,  viz.  a  great  increase  of  a  spirit  of  serious- 
ness, and  sober  consideration  of  the  things  of  the  eternal 
world ;  a  disposition  to  hearken  to  any  thing  that  is  said  of 
things  of  this  nature,  with  attention  and  affection ;  a  dispo- 
sition to  treat  matters  of  religion  with  solemnity  ;  and  as 
matters  of  great  importance  ;  a  disposition  to  make  thesf» 
things  the  subject  of  conversation  ;  and  a  ^rcat  disposition 
<o  hear  the  word  preached,  and  to  lake  all  opportunities  in 
order  to  it ;  and  to  attend  on  the  public  worship  of  God 
and  all  external  duties  of  religion,  in  a  more  solemn  and 
decent  manner  ;  so  that  there  is  a  remark,  ble  and  general 
alteration  in  the  face  of  New-England,  in  these  respects ; 
3Iultitudes  in  all  parts  of  the  land,  of  vain,  thoughtless,  re- 
gardless persons,  ai'e  changed  and  become  serious  and 
considerate  :  There  is  a  vast  increase  of  concern  for  the 
salvation  of  the  precious  soul,  and  of  that  enquiry,  tVhat 
shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ?  The  hearts  of  multitudes  have 
seen  greatly  taken  off  from  the  things  of  the  world,  its  prp* 


17113. 

Writer*  in 
favor  oi' 
llic  reli- 
t;inu«  re- 
vival. 


y\x.  V.6- 
wards 


S 


■.;'>• 


23o 


illSTORY  OK 


Chap.  Vllj. 


Book  H.  fits,  plcT'iirc?  nml  honors,  an«l  ihoro  has  been  a  great  in- 
crease ot  seiuiblcness  ami  U'nderiie.ss  of  conscience.     j>Jii|. 
(itudcs  in  all  parls,  have  had  ihcir  consciences  awakiMied, 
and  have  bee.i  made  scnsihle  of  the  pernicious  nature  anj 
consequences  of  sin,  and  what  a  dreadful  thing  it  is  to  b» 
under  guilt  and  the  displeasure  of  G(x],  and  to  live  without 
peace  and  reconciliation  to  him.     They  have  also  boon 
awakened  to  a  sense  of  the  shortness  and  uncertainty  oi 
life,  and  reality  of  another  world  ^nd  future  judgment,  anil 
the  necessity  of  an  interest  in  Christ :    They  are   more 
afraid  of  sin,  more  careful   and  inquisitive  that  they  may 
know  what  is  contrary  to  the   mind  and  will  of  God,  that 
they  may  avoid  it,  and  what  he.  requires  of  them,  that  they 
might  do  it ;  more  careful  to    avoid   temptations,  more 
watchful  over  their  own  hearts,  earnestly  desirous  of  be- 
ing informed  what  are  the  means  that  God  has  directed  to, 
for  their  salvation,  and  more  diligent  in  the  use  of  means 
(hat  God  has  appointed  in  his  word,  in  order  to  it.     Many 
very  stupid,  senseless  sinners,  and  persons  of  a  vain  mind, 
liave  been  greatly  awakened.     There  is  a  strange  altera- 
tion almost  all  over  New-England,  amongst  young  peo- 
ple :    By  a  powerful  invisible  influence  on  their  minds, 
they  have  been  brought  to  forsake  those  things,  in  a  general 
way,  as  it  were  at  once,  that  they  were  extremely  fond  of, 
and  greatly  addicted  to,  and  that  they  seemed  to  place  the 
happiness  of  their  lives  in,  and  that  nothing  before  could 
induce  them  to  forsake ;  as  their  frolicking,  vain  company 
keeping;,  night  walking,  their  mirth  and  jollity,  their  im- 
pure  language  and  lewd  songs  :    In  vain  did  ministers 
preach    against  those  things  before ;  in  vain  were  laws 
made  to  restrain  them,  and  in  vain  was  all  the  vigilance  of 
magistrates  and  civil  officers ;  but  now  they  have  almost 
every  where  dropped  them,  as  it  were  of  themselves.     And 
there  is  a  great  alteration  among  old  and  young  as  to  drink- 
ing, tavern  haunting,  profane  speaking,  and  extravagance 
in  apparel.     Many  notoriously  vicious  persons  have  been 
reformed,  ^i  a  become  externally  quite  new  creatures: 
Some  that  are  wealthy,  and  of  a  fashionable,  gay  educa- 
tion ;  some  great  beaus  and  fine  ladies,  that  seemed  to 
have  their  minds  swallowed  up  with  nothing  but  the  vain 
shews  and  pleasures  of  the  world,  have  beetl  wonderfully 
altered,  and  have  relinquished  these  vanities,  and  are  bo- 
come  serions,  mortifiiea  and  humble  in  their  conversation. 
It  is  astonishiiiig  to  see  the  alteration  that  there  is  in  some 
towns,  where  before  was  but  little  appearance  of  religion, 
or  any  thing  but  vice  and  vanity  :  and  so  remote  was  all 
that  was  to  be  seen  or  heard  among  them,  from  any  thing 


I  HAP.  VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


«S7 


ihat  savoured  of  iital  piety,  or  serious  nlit'ion,  fr  tlinf  had  Book  If. 
;,iiv  relation  to  it,  that  one  would  have  thfxiqhf,  if  ihey  n. 
aiJijed  only  from  what  appeared  in  them,  th;it  ihey  hrul 
;,prn  some  other  species  than  the  serious  and  religious, 
uhich  had  no  concern  with  another  world,  and  whose  na- 
(urrs  were  not  made  capable  of  those  things  dmt  jq.periain 
10  christian  experience  and  pious  conversation  :  r'sjctialiy 
\vas  it  thus  among  young  persons.  And  now  they  arc  t«"an>- 
(ormed  into  another  sort  of  people  ;  their  lormcr  vain, 
worldly  and  vicious  conversation  and  disposition  seem  to 
>c  forsaken,  and  they  are,  as  it  were,  gone  over  to  a  new 
world.  Their  thougnts  and  their  concern,  afirciions,  and 
inquiries,  are  now  about  the  favour  of  God,  an  interest  in 
Christ,  a  renewed  and  sanctified  heart,  and  a  spiritual 
blessedness  and  acceptance,  and  happiness  in  a  future 
world.  And  through  the  greater  part  of  New-England, 
the  holy  bible  is  in  much  greater  esteem  and  use  than  it 
used  to  be ;  the  great  things  contained  in  it,  are  much  more 
regarded,  as 'things  of  the  greatest  consequence,  and  are 
much  more  the  suojects  of  meditation  and  conversation-, 
and  other  books  of  piety,  that  have  long  been  of  establish- 
ed reputation,  as  the  most  excellent,  and  the  most  tending 
10  promote  true  godliness,  have  been  abundantly  more  in 
use.  The  Lord's  day  is  more  religiously  and  strictly  ob- 
served :  and  abundance  has  been  lately  done  at  making 
up  differences,  and  confessing  faults,  one  to  another,  and 
making  restitution ;  probably  more  within  these  two  years, 
than  was  done  in  thirty  years  before.  It  has  been  so,  un- 
doubtedly, 'n  many  places.  And  surprising  has  been  the 
power  of  that  Spirit  that  has  been  poured  out  on  the  land, 
in  many  instances,  to  destroy  old  grudges,  and  moke  up 
long  continued  breaches,  ana  to  bring  those  that  seemed 
10  be  in  a  confirmed,  irreconcilable  alienation,  to  embrace 
each  other,  in  a  sincere  and  entire  amity. 

"  Great  numbers  under  this  influence,  have  been  brought 
to  a  sense  of  their  own  sinfulness  and  vileness;  the  sinful- 
ness of  their  lives,  the  heinousness  of  their  disregard  of 
die  great  God,  and  ,the  heinousness  of  living  in  contempt 
of  a  Saviour.  It  has  been  a  common  thing,  that  persons 
have  had  such  a  sense  of  their  own  sinfulness,  that  they 
have  thought  themselves  the  worst  of  all,  and  that  none 
ever  were  so  vile  as  they  :  and  many  seem  to  have  been 
greatly  convinced,  that  they  were  utterly  un^vorthy  of  any 
mercy  at  the  hapds  of  God,  however  miserable  they  were, 
and  though  they  stood  in  extreme  necessity  of  mercy ;  and 
that  they  deserved  nothing  but  eternal  burnings ;  and  have 
been  sensible  that  God  would  b.e  altogether  just  and  right- 


tm 


IHSTOKY  01- 


Ciur.  Vlli. 


m 


BookII.cou.s  ill  innictiiig  mdlcss  damnriiioii  upon  them. — And  mj 
far  as  wc  are  worthy  to  bo  rrediird,  ono   by  anothrr,  j), 
wliatwc  say,  multitudes  in  New-England  have  lately  bcc:i 
broujjht  to  a  new  and  great  conviction  of  the  truth  anil 
certainty  of  the  gospel ;  to  a  firm  persuasion  that  Jesls  U 
the  Son  of  Gon,  ami  the  great  and  only  Saviour  of  the 
worW  ;  and  that  the  great  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  touchin:^ 
reconciliation  by  his  blood,  and  acceptance  in  his  right- 
eousness,  and  eternal  life  and  salvation  through  him,  aro 
matters  of  undoubted  truth  ;  together  with  a  most  aflectin^ 
sense  of  the  excellency  and  sufficiency  of  this  Saviour, 
and  the  glorious  wisdom  of  God  shining  in  this  way  of  sal- 
vation, &c. — With  a  sensible,  h'trong  and  sweet  love  to 
God,  and  delight  in  him,  far  surpassing  all  temporal  de- 
lights, or  earthly  pleasures  ;  and  a  rest  of  soul  in  him,  as 
the  fountain  of  all  good,  attended  with  abhorrence  of  sin, 
and  self  loathing  for  it,  and  earnest  longings  after  more 
holiness,  &;c.     And  these  things  appear  to  be,  in  many  ot 
them,  abiding  now  for  many  months,  yea,  mcfre  than  a  year 
and  an  half;  with  an  abiding  concern  to  live  an  holy  life. 
And  not  only  do  these  effects  appear  in  new  converts ;  but 
great  numbers  of  those  that  formerly  were  esteemed  the 
most  sober  and  pious  people,  have,  under  the  influence  ol 
this  work,  be  en  greatly  quickened,  and  their  hearts  re- 
newed with  greater  degrees  of  light,  renewed  repentance 
and  humiliation,  mere  lively  exercises  of  faith,  love  and 
joy  in  G©D. 

'And  under  the  influences  of  this  work,  there  have  been 
many  of  the  remains  of  those  wretched  people  and  dregs 
of  mankind,  the  poor  Indians,  that  seemed  to  be  next  to  a 
state  of  brutality,  and  with  whom,  till  now,  it  seemed  to  be 
to  little  more  purpose  to  use  endeavours  for  their  instruc- 
tion and  awakening,  than  with  tho  beasts  ;  whose  minds 
have  been  now  strangely  opened  to  receive  instruction, 
and  have  been  deeply  affected  with  the  concerns  of  their 
precious  souls,  and  have  reformed  their  lives,  and  have 
forsaken  their  former  stupid,  barbarous  and  brutish  way 
of  living ;  and  particularly  that  sin  to  which  they  have  been 
so  exceedingly  addicted,  their  drunkenness  ;  and  are  be- 
come devout  and  serious  persons ;  and  many  of  them 
Ijrought,  to  appearance,  truly  and  greatly  to  delight  in  the 
things  of  God,  and  to  have  their  souls  very  much  engaged 
ill  the  things  of  the  gospel.  And  many  of  the  poor  negroes 
also  have,  in  like  manner,  been  wrought  upon  and  changed. 

"  And  the  souls  of  very  many  litUe  children,  have  been 
remarkably  enlightened,  and  their  hearts  wonderfully  af- 
fected qnd  enlarged  ;.  and  their  mouthy  opened,  expressing 


(  »I.\P. 


vnr. 


CONNECTICUT. 


939 


iVmscKcs  far  beyond  their  years,  and  to  the  just  n<itoni»h«  Book  If. 
mcnt  of  those  that  have  heard  them;  and  some  of  them, 
irom  time  to  lime,  for  many  months,  greatly  and  delight- 
liilly  afl'ectcd  with  the  glory  o."  divine  ihing-i,  atwl  with  the 
rxcellency  dnd  love  of  the  Redeemer,  with  their  hcurt£ 
;rreatly  filled  with  love  and  joy  in  him,  and  have  continued 
;o  be  serious  and  pious  in  their  behaviour. 

"The  divine  power  of  this  work  has  marvellously  ap- 
peared, in  some  instances  I  have  been  acquainted  with,  in 
vupporting  and  fortifying  the  heart,  under  great  trials,  such 
;i5  the  death  of  children,  and  extreme  pain  of  body;  won- 
derfully maintaining  the  serenity,  calmness  and  joy  of  the 
..oul,  in  an  immoveable  rest  in  God,  and  sweet  resignatior) 
10  him.  There  also  have  been  instances  of  some  that  have 
been  the  subjects  of  this  work,  that,  under  the  blessed  in- 
tluences  of  it,  have,  in  such  a  calm,  bright  and  joyful  frame 
i)i  mind,  been  carried  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death. 

'•  And  now  let  us  consider, — Is  it  not  straoge  that,  in  a 
(hristian,  orthodox  country,  and  such  a  land  of  light  as 
this  is,  there  should  be  many  at  a  loss  whose  work  this  is, 
whether  the  work  of  God,  or  the  work  of  the  devil  ?  Is  it: 
not  a  shame  to  New-£ngland,  that  such  a  work  should  be 
uiuch  doubted  of  here  ?  Need  we  look  over  the  histories 
of  all  past  times,  to  see  if  there  be  not  some  circumstances 
and  external  appearances  that  attend  this  work,  that  have 
formerly  been  found  amongst  enthusiasts  ? — whether  the 
montanists  had  not  great  transports  of  joy,  and  whether 
ihe  French  prophets  had  not  agitations  of  body  ?  Blessed 
be  God!  he  does  not  put  us  to  the  toil  of  such  inquiries. 
We  need  not  say,  who  shall  ascend  into  heaven,  to  bring 
us  down  something  whereby  we  may  judge  of  this  work  / 
Nor  does  God  send  us  beyond  the  seas,  nor  into  past  ages, 
10  obtain  a  rule  that  shall  determine  and  satisfy  us.  Bui: 
we  have  a  rule  near  at  hand,  a  sacred  book,  that  God  him- 
self has  put  into  our  hands,  with  cleer  and  infallible  marks, 
aufficient  to  resolve  us  in  ti\ing8  of  this  nature;  which 
book,  I  think,  we  must  reject,  not  only  in  some  particular 
passages,  but  in  the  substance  of  it,  if  we  reject  such  a  work 
as  has  now  been  described,  as  not  being  the  work  of  Goi>. 
The  whole  tenor  of  the  gospel  proves  it ;  all  the  notion  of 
religion  that  the  scripture  gives  us." 

He  mentions  three  things,  in  which  those  who  judged 
unfavourably  of  the  work,  exceedingly  erred,  viz. — by 
judging  of  it  a  priori,  from  the  manner  in  which  it  began; 
the  instruments  which  had  been  employed  in  it ;  the  meam> 
and  manner  in  which  it  had  been  carried  on,  &c.     He 


,1+4 


,^«<: 


2.10 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  V III 


[si*:  I 

■!'■    • 

,,f, 
'■»■■'.    , 


'Sf 


Book  IT.  shoivs,  tint  no  just  judgment  roiiM  ])c  formcJ  from  ihrs, 
lli;»t  if  it  was  founrf  to  agrro  with  the  scriptures,  that  Wiis 
.siiHicirnt  for  us.  That  they  erred  in  not  making  the  Hrrin. 
lures  the  only  rule,  and  whole  rule,  in  judging ;  and  in  no' 
jusliy  separating  and  distinguishing  the  goo<J  from  the  bid. 
lie  observes,  that  the  wejucness  of  human  nature  has  ;i|. 
iviiys  appeared  in  times  of  a  great  revival  of  religion,  by 
o  disposition  to  run  into  extremes,  and  got  into  confusion; 
nnd  especially  in  these  three  things,  enthusiasm,  supersti- 
tion, and  intemperate  zeal.  He  shows  this  to  have  bctn 
the  case,  even  in  the  times  of  the  apostles,  and  at  the  re- 
formation. He  observes  the  great  disorders,  dfvisions, 
and  evil  things,  which  were  in  the  church  at  Corinth  ;  and 
lo  what  lengths  we  might  reasonably  suppose  they  would 
have  gone,  had  they  not  been  prevented  by  inspired 
guides.  Ho  suggests  that,  by  the  increase  of  their  irregu- 
l.irities  and  contentions,  they  would  have  broken  to  piece?, 
and  (lis'Ssolved  in  the  utmost  confusion.  And  yet  this  would 
Jiave  been  no  evidence  that  the  Spirit  of  God  had  not,  in 
a  most  glorious  and  remarkable  manner,  been  poured  out 
npon  that  city.  He  shows  outcries  and  bodily  agitations, 
were  10  new  things  under  great  awakenings ;  and  that  they 
were  no  evidences  of  grace,  nor  any  evidence  against  it, 
as  they  had  been  found  m  men  of  the  greatest  eminence  for 
piety  and  genuine  religion,  as  well  as  in  others  :  that  great 
degrees  of  terror  and  of  joy  were  no  evidences  that  the 
work  was  not  the  work  of  God,  as  persons  eminent  for  ho- 
liness, both  in  primitive  and  later  times,  had  been  the  sub- 
jects of  them. 

He  shows  the  indispensable  duty  of  magistrates,  minis- 
ters and  people,  by  all  means  to  promote,  and  carry  on 
fiuch  a  glorious  work  ;  and  the  great  sin  and  danger  of  op- 
posing it.  He  evinces  that  all  ought  to  rejoice  in  it,  and 
give  thanks  for  it.  He  suggests  that  there  was  reason  to 
fear  that  God  had  been  greatly  provoked,  in  that  civil  ru- 
lers had  proclaimed  no  public  thanksgivings  to  render 
jjraise  to  God  for  it,  and  that  they  had  done  so  litde  to 
promote  it. 

He  observes,  that  above  all  others,  God's  eye  was  upon 
the  ministers  of  the  gospel,  expecting  them  to  arise  and 
f?eknowledge  him,  and  honor  him  in  the  work,  and  do  iheir 
utmost  for  its  eticouragement  and  promotion :  That  thia 
was  the  very  work  and  business  of  their  office. 

With  respect  to  others,  he  represented,  that  as  all  the 
people  brought  a  willing  oftering  unto  the  Lord,  to  build 
the  tabernacle  in  the  wilderness,  so  that  with  awilling  and 
cheerful  heart,  every  man,  woman,  and  child,  ought  to  da 


ilAP. 


VIU. 


CONNF.CTK  UT. 


341 

,>n)riliin£;  to  piomolr  th»'  work:  That  ihiv  whocoultl  lu!  Hook  II. 
„ri,ii;  onyx  sionrs,  m»l(l  or  ^ilvcr,  miijht,!il  Ica^f,  bring  ^■^"•'"^'' 
,o,,(s  hair. 

''  ||f  shows  what  tliirips  had  \n^vv.  ''omplaiiird  i»f,  rcltjfiv** 

,  ihr  work,  witljout  orbcyoml  any  just  <aii>c;  ami  liioii, 

Ahat  things  ought  to  ho  conrctcd  ami  avoiilcd  in  adv.iiio 

ijr  thr  \M*rk,  -and  in  the  behavior  of  ihc  poopir  iituler  i'. 
f|(  noticrs  andcoiidrmns  the  error-;,  tnake^  tlear  distiric- 
loiis  with  respect  to  that  in  whif  h  true  religion  ct)nsi«it:s 
^11(1  in  what  it  does  not,  nnd  i;ivcs  j'xrellt'ni  directions  lor 
he  conduct  of  minisi  rs  and  people,  in  such  a  day  as  that 
,v.)5.  JIc  compares  those  who  could  see  nodiiiig  of  the 
:(ork  of  God,  in  the  reformation  wliich  had  been  effcrled. 
0  subjects  in  the  kingdom  of  a  great  and  good  prince,  who, 
uhen  all  the  people  were  rejoicing  and  proclaiming  his  ex- 
fljenciesand  honor,  on  the  day  of  his  coronation,  should 
mthcr  appear  sorrowful  than  joyous,  and  dwelt  only  on 
mne  defects  they  might  notice  in  his  body,  walk,  or  con- 
iliirt ;  or  who  on  his  marriage,  to  a  beautiful  and  excellent 
princess,  when  the  nation  in  general  were  rejoicing  with 
i/rrat  gladness,  should  manifest  no  joy  on  the  occasion, 
but  employ  themselves  in  remarking  upon,  and  aggravat- 
nisr  some  small  defects  in  the  royal  bride,  in  her  beauty,  or 
itress,  OP  in  the  manner  in  which  the  man'iage  was  conduct- 
ed ;  and  enquires  whether  such  could  be  considered  as 
loyal  subjects,  well  affected  t  wards  their  prince  ? 

Dr.  Chaunccy,  who  had  been  an  eye  witness  of  the  work  Dr.Chmuij. 
at  Boston,  and  the  wonderful  i*cfonnation  which  had  been '^"y.  ^"'*'' 
flFectcd  in  that  metropolis  of  the  province,  differed  entire- ^(frk^  and 
ly  from  those  excellent  men,  Dr.  Coleman,  Dr.  Sewall,  attaiost  Mr 
Mr.  Cooper,  Mr.  Gee,  and  most  of  the  ministers  in  that  Edwards-. 
town,  and  appeared  to  be  a  great  opposer  of  the  work. 
He  wrote  a  large  book,  of  between  four  and  five  hundred 
pages,  relative  to  it,  in  which  he  dwells  abundantly  on  the 
irregularities  and  errors  attending  the  work,  all  calculated 
to  set  it  in  the  most  disadvantageous  point  of  light.     He 
inserts  in  his  preface  the  story  of  the  Antinomians  and  en- 
thusiasts, in  Mr.  Cotton's  day  in  Boston,  among  whom  the 
famous  Mrs.  Hutchinson  was  a  principal  actor,  who  were 
full  of  falsehood  and  deceit,  and  represents  or  insinuates  ai: 
least,  that  the  new  lights,  as  they  were  called,  were  of  the 
same  character,  enthusiasts  and  liars.     In  his  introduction, 
he  undertakes  to  give  a  general  view  of  a  work  of  God, 
in  which  many  things  are  well  said  ;  but  nothing  so  dis- 
tinguishing with  respect  to  the  loving  of  God  for  his  own 
perfections  and  glory,  rejoicing  in  them,  and  in  the  divine 
goycrrjment,  with  a  full  sense  of  the  glory  of  God,   of  bis 

F2 


m 


V; 

'..■t-i.' 


U2  HISTORY  OF  Chap.  Mil. 

Rook  II.  I«»vr  fo  mrn,  of  \hr  ^lury  of  ilir  work  of  rodi'tnpiiori,  if„ 
/  tr;msr«'Md;iiif  cxnilftny  an*!  iov*  liru'sn  of  ('hrist,  uml  i||, 
principlfs  from  u'lii(  li  rxtmiitl  .u  is  of  roiifomiity  to  if,, 
(livitiP  law  oriji;in:U»',  as  Mr.  K<lw;irtl.s  and  many  otlurdi. 
vinrs.  AnrI  it  is  romarkaMr,  that  all  tin-  niarkHola  vM,p|^ 
of  God  whirh  he  sprcifics,  wvvc  found  in  niosi  of  thosr  \v|,q 
made  a  profession  of  a  rharif'f  of  heart  and  olu-dlftiro  f„ 
CiiRist, at  that  time.  Itidccd^lhey  wore  found  and  inrrt:iv 
ed  in  many  of  them,  diirinj^  their  whole  lives.  He  reniark>., 
a  forsaking  of  vice  and  sin,  as  one  special  mark  of  a  work 
of  God.  And  when  was  there  ever  sueh  a  forsakini;  of  a|| 
open  sins  and  vice,  and  such  a  general  reformation  of  niari- 
ncrs,  as  at  lliis  time  /  He  mentions  a  spirit  of  forqivenoss 
and  forbearance,  as  a  mark  of  the  work  of  Gou.  And  ai 
•what  time  before  or  since,  did  ever  so  many  confess  their 
faults  one  to  another,  and  forgive  one  another,  as  at  this 
lime?  Persons  who  had  been  long  at  -nmity  one  with  an. 
other,  whom  nothing  before  could  reconcile,  now  con- 
fcssed,  with  shame  and  contrition,  their  ill  treatment  ot 
each  other,  and  became  apparently  reconciled  in  the  bands 
of  broiherly  love.  He  makes  love  to  the  house  of  worship 
and  ordinances  of  God,  an  evidence  of  the  work  of  God. 
And  who  ever  saw  ministers  and  people  in  general,  so  in. 
stant  in  season  and  out  of  season,  to  preach  and  to  hear  the 
»vord  ?  When  did  people  ever  so  flow  to  the  house  of  God  ; 
hear  with  such  attention ;  keep  the  sabbath,  and  attend 
^aci-aments  with  such  apparent  zeal  and  pleasure  ;  and  so 
much  abound  in  singing  the  praises  of  God,  as  at  this  timof 
He  mentions  repentance  and  mourning  for  sin,  as  an  evi- 
dence of  the  work  of  God  :  And  when  was  there  ever  in 
New-England,  so  deep  atid  general  a  sense  of  the  evil  ot 
sin,  of  the  danger  of  it,  and  such  apparent  mourning  for  it, 
as  against  an  holy  God,  as  at  this  time  ? 

The  first  part*  of  his  book,  after  the  introduction,  the  Dr. 
entitles,  "  Particularly  pointing  out  the  things  of  a  bad 
and  dangerous  tendency  in  the  late  religious  appearances 
in  New-England."  The  first  thing  he  mentions  of  this  na- 
ture, is  itinerant  preaching.  This,  he  says,  had  its  rise  in 
these  parts  from  Mr.  Whitefield.  He  owns  he  never  could 
see  from  what  warrant,  either  from  scripture  or  reason, 
he  went  about  preaching  ;  and  intinnites  that  his  design 
was  his  own  worldly  advantage,  that  he  made  large  coJ- 
lections,  £cc.  and  faults  him  for  leaving  his  own  lildc 
charge  ;  intimates  that  none  but  himself  could  tell  the 
amount  of  the  presents  he  received  in  that  town.  Mr. 
Whitefield  gave  a  satisfactory  account  of  these  matters  t« 
other  ministers  in  Boston,  and  to  ministers  and  people 


\V 


H^r.VIIl. 


roNNECTicir. 


Q4.1 


1,  as  an  evi- 


»ho  wcrr  wrll  afTcrird  towiinls  flip  doctrines  hr  prMrhcJ,  Boon  II. 
vhI  iIh-  work  he  was  itixinimrntal  in  promoting.     Thalhr  v^'v^^i,/ 
»hoiiM  |»n;uh  rvcry  <l:iy  in  die  wrck,  and olUii  twice  ami  I>ocior 
ilirto  times  a  day,  iuid  often  ride  many  miles  and  I"*^«''h  * ''^JfV 
tthon  111'  was  so  weak  as  not  to  he  able  to  mount  his  horse  SJJlIyi 
uillioiit  help,  pass  dangerous  seas,  endure   such   fati)^ics  «ppew- 
l,y  (l.iy  and  ni;;ht,  through  a  whole  life,  anti  conduct  liim-  "*^*'*- 
„|l  with  such  piety  and  devotion,  to  the  end  of  his  days,  on 
u,)rMly  motives,  and  that  he  should,  after  all  the  tollec- 
,„,iis  he  made  for  his  orphans,  die  poor  at  last,  is  not  credi- 
I  Ir.    That  he  was  able  to  oiUvd  what  he  did  with  his  col- 
|,.(  lions,  may  afibrd  abundant  satisfaction  on  this  head,  and 
«li()W  that  the  Doctor's  imputations  were  uncharitable. 

lie  e(|ually  blames  Mr.  Tennant,  for  leaving  his  people, 
:iml  preaching  as  an  itinerant  in  New-England.  But  Mr. 
Tennant  undertook  this  only  by  the  advice  and  desire  of 
his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  who,  upon  receiving  the  ac- 
counts of  the  great  awakenitigs  in  New-England,  and  at 
Boston  in  particular,  judged  that  it  would  be  well  to  send 
him  to  the  assistance  of  their  brethren  in  these  parts,  and 
advance  the  interests  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  He 
hesitated  at  first ;  it  was  a  matter  of  very  great  self  denial, 
to  leave  his  family  and  people  for  such  a  length  of  time. 
He  must  necessarily  endure  much  hardship  and  fatigue, 
and  be  exposed  to  many  dangers.  But  at  the  earnest  de- 
sire and  mature  advice  of  his  brethren,  he  undertook  the 
journey,  and  appears  to  have  performed  the  mission  on 
which  he  was  sent,  with  great  zeal,  labour  and  fidelity. 
He  proved  himself  to  be  a  faithful  brother,  and  received 
the  thanks  of  the  ministers  in  Boston,  in  general,  for  his 
searching,  fervent  preaching,  and  abundant  labours.  Dr. 
Chauncey,  nevertheless,  brands  him,  Mr.  Whitefield  and 
all  itinerant  preachers,  with  the  odious  character  of  busy 
bodies.  "  1  see  not  but  those,"  says  he,  "  who  make  it 
their  practice  to  go  about  gathering  assemblies  in  other 
men's  parishes,  properly  come  under  the  character  of  busy- 
bodies."*  In  short,  he  compares  them  to  those  deceitful 
workers,  whom  the  apostle  represents,  as  transforming 
themselves  into  the  ministers  of  righteousness,  according 
to  the  example  of  satan,  who  can  transform  himself  into  an 
angel  of  light.t  He  introduces  letters,  calling  them  by 
the  worst  names,  and  possessed  of  the  worst  feelings  ; 
with  such  declarations  as  these  :  '•  As  to  the  present  itine- 

*  Page  42.  He  quotes  with  apparent  approbation,  the  extraordinary 
act  of  the  legislature  of  Connecticut,  prohibiljnp;  ministers  preaching  out  of 
their  own  parishes,  without  the  consent  of  the  minister  and  churches  whcr*i 
lliey  preached,        t  Page  44. 


»    Ik 


Uiai  ■  I 


m 


HISTORY  of 


*-■"•» f.  Vlir,   ■    Chap.  \l 


M, 


w. 


■*Sa 


t  all  of  ilicm,  are  swollen  and  ready  to  burst  with  spjr 
prrdc.-'  "Such  rgnorani and mi.srhievous  itinerants h^ 


tlif  rcti- 
;,'iou»  f»|) 

aiiccs. 


Cook  H.  ranf-t,  it  is  remarked,  as  e^rlain  and  obvious,  that  the  most. 

DfK-tor       itual  _ 

<>'lmtiiic(jr  8,.p  „Q^v  caressed  trrKJ  encouraged."  "Those  vagrants," 
"''""'■  &.C.*  fie  takes  up  almost  eighty  pages  in  decrying  itineran* 
]»reachers,  iiHroducing  letters,  exhortations  of  minister 
who  were  evidently  [)rejudiced  and  embittered  again^ 
th<m,  and  quotations  from  authors,  calculated  to  setthm 
in  the  worst  point  of  light.  The  next  thing  he  takes  notid 
of,  as  of  bad  tendency,  is  the  great  fears  and  terrors  whi(  i, 
some  had,  and  the  eiiects  which  it  had  upon  their  bo«lio«. 
This  he  conceived  of  a  very  dangerous  tendency.  These 
lie  pretends  were  highly  thought  of,  as  sure  evidences  oi 
grare,  &c.  ^^?hcreas,  it  does  not  appear  that  any  but  tlm 
separates  approved  of  these  things,  or  considered  thema^ 
anv  evidences  of  grace.  Not  one  minister  in  Connectici;: 
considered  them  as  such.  Mr.  Edwards  showed  that  the\ 
were  no  evidences  of  grace,  nor  were  they  any  evidence^ 
against  it.  Especially  in  his  thoughts  on  religion,  and  in 
his  (realise  on  religious  aflections,  he  shows  from  scripture 
and  the  best  writers,  that  the  most  eminent  men  for  piety 
have  been  the  subjects  of  them,  as  well  as  wicked  men. 

No  men,  so  far  as  I  am  acquainted  with  the  writers  ol 
New-England,  and  of  protestants  in  general,  have  more 
clearly  (Jisiinguished  between  all  the  errors  and  delusions 
of  these  times,  and  shown  wherein  true  religion  consisted, 
than  the  gentlemen  who  favoured  the  uncommon  religious 
concern  and  reformaiion,  especially  Dr.  Coleman,  Mr. 
Edwards  and  Mr.  Bellamy  in  New-England,  and  the  Rev. 
Jonathan  Dickinson,  in  New-Jersey. 

Dr.  Chauncey  collected  the  most  exaggerated  accounts 
fiom  those  who  were  the  most  zealous  opposers  of  th« 
w ork,  and  even  condescended  so  low  as  to  publish  account^ 
from  newspapers  relative  to  it,  throwing  the  greatest  odi- 
um and  reproach  upon  it  •,  and  represents  the  effects  of  th' 
preaching  at  that  time,  such  as  might  be  expected  from 
mad  men,  raving  from  bedlam,  hallowing  and  screaminji 
and  frightening  the  people. t  He  attempts  to  prove,  that  i: 
was  not  a  divine  work  ;  and  he  fakes  it  as  a  certain  fac'j 
tJiat  the  spirit  of  God  could  not  be  in  it.  He  trusts  tha* 
ftom  these  things,  he  had  made  it  evident,  that  the  ap- 
pearances had  been  produced,  only  by  the  wild  and  ex- 
travagant conduct  of  overheated  preachers.J 

Ho  employs  between  twenty  and  thirty  pages,  in  re- 
presenting the  Imd  principles  of  Mr.  Davenport,  Messrs. 
romeroy,  Wheelock,  and  Allen ;  and  represents  them  n- 
''Page  6  J,  63.  t  Paje  96,  106.  if  Page  99. 


I'*''-  Vlir.   I    Chap.  VIII. 


les,  in  rc- 


COiNNECTICUT. 


i45 


having  imbibed  the  principles  of  quakcrism  in  college,  Book  If. 
irliich  had  now  broke  out  again.     He  rcprcsenls  Mr.  Pom-  v^->o*/ 
,  roy  and  Mr.  VVhcelock  as  the  principal   instruments  oi  iwtor 
:!ic  disorders  and  confusion  in  Connecticut.     Nothing,  I  <''i"»"n*"^^ 
Mippose,  was  more  groundless  and  unjust  than  these  insinu-  reHelous 
:!!(Mis.     The  great  body  of  those  who  were  subjects  of  the  appeara^- 
Nivine  oj/erations  at  dial  time,  were  humble,  prayerful,  so-  •^"»  ^^' 
oor  (hri^fiaiis  ;  loved  and  adhered  to  their  ministers,  and 
n('!c  strict   in  their  morals.     Those  who  imbibed  errors, 
;iiid  went  into  })ad  conduct,  were  few,  when  compared 
with  the  others.     Mr.  Pomeroy  and  Mr.  Wheelock  were 
jioi  accused  of  any  false  doctrine,  or  any  tincture  of  qua- 
kcrisni,  by  the  associations,  or  consociations,  to  which  tncy 
belonged ;  but  were  in  good  repute,  esteemed,  and  treated 
^TJth  respect,  by  their  brethren  in  the  ministry,  who  had 
the  most  intimate   acquaintance  with  them.     They  were 
j^reatiy  beloved   !y  their  people ;  and  I  never  knew  of  a 
(jiiaker,  or  sejiarate,  in  either  of  their  parishes.     They  op- 
posed  the  separations,  and  united  with  their  brethren  in 
condemning  the  errors  of  the  times.t   But  the  Doctor  hav- 
'ing  said  what  he  judged  proper  to  depreciate  and  blacken 
the  characters  of  thosegentlemen,  concludes  that  head  with 
this  observation  : — "  This  enthusiastic  spirit,  it  appears  to 
me,  is  one  of  the  most  dangerous  that  can  take  place  in  a 
land.     It  is,  indeed,  the  true  spirit  of  quakerism ;  the  seed 
plat  of  delusion.''^     He  proceeds  but  a  few  pages  before 
lie  again  introduces  Mr.  Davenport,  and  his  conduct.    Af- 
ter observing,  "  that  there  were  no  absurdities,  either  in 
doctrine  or  j)ractice,  but  they"  (that  is,  such  men)  "  are 
capable  of  falling  into,  instances  whereof  have  been  com- 
mon in  all  ages  of  the  world,"  he  quotes  Mr.  Flavel,  as  fol- 
lows : — "  In  the  beginning  of  our  reformation,  by  Luther 
and  Calvin,  &c.  there  sprung  up  a  genei-ation  of  men,  call- 
ed Swcnkseldians,   great  pretenders   to  revelations  and 
visions ;  who  were  always  speaking  of  deifications ;  and 
used  a  higher  strain  of  language  among  themselves,  than 
other  serious  christians  understood ;  and  they,  therefore, 
scornfully  styled  orthodox  and  humble  christians,  who 

'  1 1  had  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  those  e;ent]emen,  and  with  their 
jKiople ;  was  brought  up  under  the  preaching  of  Dr.  Pomeroy  ;  lived  some 
time  in  the  family  of  Dr.  Wheelock ;  heard  them  both  preach  abundantly ; 
and  I  never  saw  or  heard  of  any  thing,  in  either  of  them,  which  savoured  in 
the  least  degree  of  quakerism.  Tliey  were  some  of  the  most  distinguish- 
in?  preachers,  in  their  day,  between  true  and  false  religion.  They  were 
strict  in  their  morals,  and  extensive  in  their  charity.  They  ex-er  consider- 
•nl  themselves  as  greatly  injared  by  Dr.  Chauncey.  He  took  up  reports 
against  his  brethren,  not  at  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses,  and  wJtfr 
opt  iaquirine;  whether  they  were  friends  or  enemies. 

t  Page  217. 


'^  ii 


346 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  VIII. 


l-i 


I'-f-      . 


iimi<\ 


m 

^S 

^m 

S 

ii[i|)C;ir;.n 


Book  IF.  stuck  to  scripture  phrases,  and  wholesome  forms  of  sound 
v>^  -^  u  orfls,  grammatists,  vocabulists,  Uteralists,"  &c.§ 
1h>cuT  The  Doctor  appears  to  have  been  a  gentleman  of  prptty 

t;i):iuncf;y  pxtousivc  reading,  and  a  cood  scholar:  but  it  is  verv  rr- 

aciiinst  the  i     i  i       ,i     .  i       /•  i       i       i  •  ■  'J    "t 

reliction,  'm:Hkar)ic,  that  he  frequently,  by  his  concessions  and  quo. 
tations,  insensibly  gives  up  his  whole  argument.  TKis  be 
seems  to  do  in  this  place.  If  the  glorious  work  of  God,  In 
the  reformation,  was  attended  with  such  errors  and  ton- 
fusion,  then  the  work  in  New-England  might  also  be  a  glo- 
rious work  of  God,  notwithstanding  the  enthusiasm  oni] 
errors  which  some  imbibed.  It  cannot  be  pretended,  that 
Luther  and  Calvin,  whom  God  made  so  remarkably  instru- 
mental in  the  reformation,  were  without  great  faults.  Who 
can  justify  the  bitter  zeal  and  language  of  Luther,  and 
some  instances  of  Calvin's  conduct?  But  if  imperfect 
men,  attended,  in  some  instances,  with  great  faults,  have 
been  used  as  great  and  principal  instruments  of  such  a 
glorious  work  as  the  reformation,  then  God  might  also  im- 
prove  such  instruments  in  the  reformation  in  this  country; 
and  it  might  have  been,  notwithstanding,  a  glorious  work  of 
God  :  and  so  the  Doctor's  argument  against  the  work  jj 
wholly  overthrown.  If  God  haUi  done  it  in  this  instance, 
it  is  perfectly  correspondent  with  the  operations  of  his  pro- 
vidence in  other  instances. 

The  Doctor  inveighs  exceedingly  against  exhorters,  con- 
demns the  violent  things  which  have  been  said,  in  oppo- 
sition to  unconverted  ministers,  and  against  many  errors 
and  disorders  of  those  times,  and  has  said  many  things 
worthy  of  serious  attention,  with  a  variety  of  quotations 
from  the  best  authors  upon  those  subjects,* 

In  the  second  part  of  his  book,  he  represents  "  the  oh- 
ligations  which  lay  upon  all  the  pastors  of  these  churches 
in  particular,  and  upon  all  in  general,  to  use  their  endea- 
vours to  suppress  the  disorders  prevailing  in  the  land; 
with  the  great  danger  of  their  neglect  in  so  important  a 
matter."  "  The  obligations  to  this,  (he  says,)  are  solemn 
and  weighty ;  and  they  are  binding  upon  the  pastors  of 
these  churches  in  particular,  and  upon  all  in  general," 
"  The  churches  in  this  land,  upwards  of  an  hundred  years 
ago,  were  almost  ruined  with  their  religious  disturbances. 
The  spirit  which  then  operated  was  surprisingly  similar  lo 
the  sjMrit  of  these  times."!  He  represents  the  whole  work 
ns  nothing  but  error  and  enthusiasm;  and  about  forty  of 
filly  pages  arc  employed  to  stir  up  ministers  and  people 


against  it. 


i  Page  '221. 

*  FrcTm  pn^e  220  to  332,  to  the  close  of  the  fint  part  of  his  book. 

!  Page  3J.},  334,  330. 


u-  ..t,i 


Chap.  VUI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


247 


ill 


In  his  third  part,  he  ccr.iplains  of  instances  in  whii  h  Book  II. 
hose  who  had  appeared  aeainst  the  disorders  prevailing  s^^vx^ 
,  the  land,  had  been  injunously  treated.    He  makes  some  Di-  i^aun- 
iprnarks  on  Mr.  Edwards'  thoughts  on  religion  ;  pU  ads  for  ^eyHSi'in-it 
jyng  history  and  philosophy  in  judging  with  respect  to  ^,l^^  upixja- 
fcligion,  and  represents  that  tliose  who  had  o])posed  the  ranccb. 
religious  appcam.-^es,  had  shown  the  greatest  veneration 
•or  the  scriptures.     He  complains  of  Mr.  Edwards  as  be- 
ing uncharitable  in  reprobating  those  who  did  not  think 
of  the  work  qs  he  did.     He  condemns  that  censorious 
>niritby  which  they  were  denounced  as  Arminians,  Pela- 
gians, iic. ;  yet  he  falls  into  the  same  error  himself,  and 
terms  the  favourers  of  the  work,  false  prophets,  deceitful 
workers,  and  represents  men  as  transforming  themselves, 
like  satan,  into  ministers  of  righteousness  ;  as  having  the 
»ame  spirit  as  the  enthusiasts  at  the  reformation,  &ic.     "  I 
am  sensible  (says  he)  that  this  work  has  been  carried  on 
by  the  weak  and  foolish.     1  am  sensible  also  that  the  mi- 
nisters who  have  been  chiefly  employed,  some  of  them, 
liave  been  mere  babes  in  years  and  standing :"   and   in 
the  severity  of  his  remarks  spares  neither  ministers  nor 
people ;  though  there  was  not  one  minister  in  Connecticut, 
nor  one  of  the  standiner  j^hurches,  that  favoured  these  er- 
rors, but  unitedly  sp^''*     »  i  preached  against  tiiem.    Mr. 
Edwards  lamented  this  r.onaj.rious  spirit,  and  uttrrly  con- 
demned itj  at  the  same  time  stating  who  might  be  termed 
opposers,  but  named  no  man  as  such,  nor  gave  the  least 
intimation  with  respect  to  any  particular  person.     This 
spirit  of  detraction  prevailed  only  among  the  separates, 
who,  in  comparison  with  the  great  numbers  who  were  ap- 
parently born  of  God,  were  indeed  very  few. 

The  Doctor  apologizes  for  the  harsh  words  in  some  of 
'he  papers  he  had  occasion  to  use,  and  says  they  should 
have  been  altered  had  it  been  in  his  power.  In  his  pre- 
face, p.  29,  he  says,  "  I  have  endeavored  to  WTite  so  as  to 
give  no  just  occasion  of  oflence  to  any  gentleman  with 
whom  I  have  thought  it  needful  to  concern  myself."  Yet 
the  Doctor  said  these  hard  things,  and  made  these  injuri- 
ous representations,  with  respect  to  great  numbers  of  his 
brethren  in  the  ministry,  and  probably  thousands  of  good 
people,  who  were  truly  subjects  of  Divine  grace,  and  had 
proved  their  faith  and  love  by  lives  of  strict  piety,  right- 
eousness and  temperance  in  all  things.  How  could  the 
Doctor  conceive  that  he  gave  no  just  occasion  of  offence 
to  those  gentlemen  in  the  ministry,  whom  he  had  publish- 
ed to  the  world  as  being  quakers  in  their  youth,  and  as 
iiacG  acting  under  the  infli^ence  of  those  principles,  when 


I 


B  ^ii 


24  a 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  Vlir. 


1747. 


!• 


I 


Observa- 
tioiii  on 
])r.Chaun 
i-ey'gbook 


Book  II.  they  hud  l<orn  c?xnn)ine<l  ami  approved  hy  assori;itioiii; 
and  ordaining  councils,  had  bt-on  a  nnmhrr  ol  yoars  in 
the  ministry,  and  were  of  good  report,  not  only  among  the 
people  with  whom  tney  laboiTcd,  but  among  their  \m\h- 
rcn  in  the  ministry?  Another  thing  is  very  remarkablp; 
In  his  preface,  p.  29,  he  says,  "  As  to  facts,  I  hive  pub- 
lished none  but  such  as  I  really  believe  myself,  and,  as  | 
think,  upon  sufficient  evidence:"  and  further  states,  th;u 
he  had  ^  fm  a  circuit  of  more  than  three  hundred  miles, 
and  haf  conversed  with  most  of  the  ministers,  and  many 
o'hcr  gentlemen  in  the  country,  and  settled  a  correspond- 
ence with  several  of  them,  with  a  particular  view  to  as- 
certain the  truth  of  things  upon  better  evidence  than  mere 
hearsay ;  when  he  had  not  probably  conversed  with  one 
minister,  nor  settled  a  correspondence  with  any,  but 
those  who  thought  unfavorably  of  the  work;  and  when 
lie  had  condescended  reper  edly  to  take  his  accounts  from 
the  newspapers.  And  further,  in  answer  to  Mr.  Edwards' 
observation,  that  the  instruments  c-' the  work  had  been  too 
much,  and  in  many  instances  unreasonably  blamed,  by 
others,  he  says,  "  So  far  were  they  ft-nm  magnifying  real 
errors,  that  I  scruple  not  to  say,  they  have  never  set  them 
in  their  full  light :  Nay,  as  to  some  of  the  disorders  of  the 
times,  I  do  not  think  it  is  in  the  power  of  the  worst  oppos- 
er  of  them  all,  to  describe  them  to  the  life."  (p.  391.)  Did 
Dr.  Chauncey  really  believe  all  that  party  and  prejudiced 
men  said,  and  all  the  anonymous  pieces  in  the  newspapers  f 
Was  he  so  unacquainted  with  the  nature  of  facts  as  to  ima- 
gine that  newspapei  publications,  especially  when  parlies 
ran  high,  were  sufficient  evidence  ?  Could  he  suppose  thai 
representations  of  one  party  only,  when  thoir  names  were 
generally  concealed,  without  hearing  the  evidence  on  the 
other  side,  were  sufficient  proof  ?  If  such  was  the  case,  or 
if  he  was  influenced  by  prejudice  to  credit  unsubstantial 
facts,  it  must  very  greatly  invalidate  the  Doctor's  history 
of  those  times. 

How  widely  he  differed  from  a  great  body  of  his  breth- 
ren, will  appear  from  the  public  declarations  of  a  very 
great  number  of  ministers,  in  all  parts  of  the  country. 
About  ninety  ministers,  on  previous  notice,  met  at  Boston, 
on  the  7th  of  July,  1 743,  and  after  consultation,  came  to 
the  following  result,  viz  : 

"  If  it  is  the  duty  of  every  one,  capable  of  obversation 
and  reflection,  to  take  a  constant  religious  notice  of  what 
occurs,  in  the  daily  cours  j  of  common  providence ;  how 
much  more  is  it  expected  that  those  events  in  the  divine 
<t?cpnoray,  whex'cin  there  h  a  signal  display  of  the  power, 


Ukt.  Vllt. 


CONNECTICUT. 


2t9 


jrnrc  and  mercy  of  God  in  behalf  of  the  church,  should  be  Book  II. 
pbsprvrd  with  sacred  wonder,  pleasure,  and  gratitude? — N.^-\r^ 
>or  should  the  people  of  God  content  themselves  with  a  Testimonjr 
silrnt  notice,  hut  publish  with  the  voice  of  thanksgiving,""*****^"^* 
and  fpll  of  all  his  wondrous  works.  semblVof 

•'  More  particularly,  when  Christ  is  pleased  to  come  in-  pastors  ot 
to  his  church  in  a  plentiful  effusion  of  his  holy  Spirit,  by  thurchc* 
ffhose  powerful  influences  the  ministration  of  his  woixl  is  Engfanj. 
attended  with  uncommon  success,  salvation  work  carried 
on  in  an  eminent  manner,  and  his  kingdom  which  is  in 
men.  and  consists  in  righteousness  and  peace,  and  joy  in 
ihr  Holy  Ghost,  is  notably  advanced.  This  is  an  event, 
which  above  all  others  invites  the  notice,  and  bespeaks 
t!,e  praises  of  the  Lord's  people,  and  should  be  declared 
abroad  for  a  n  emorial  of  the  divine  grace  ;  as  it  tends  to 
confirm  the  divhity  of  a  despised  gospel,  and  manifests 
the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  application  of  redemp- 
tion, which  too  many  are  ready  to  reproach  ;  as  it  may 
have  a  happy  effect,  by  the  divine  blessing,  for  the  revival 
of  religion  in  other  places,  and  the  enlargement  of  the 
kingdom  of  Christ  in  the  world  ;  and  as  it  tends  to  enliv- 
en the  prayers,  strengthen  the  faith,  and  raise  the  hopes,  of 
!uch  as  are  waiting  for  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  the  com- 
ing on  of  the  glory  of  the  latter  days. 

"  But  if  this  is  justly  expected  of  all  who  profess  them- 
selves the  disciples  of  Christ,  that  they  should  openly  ac- 
knowledge and  rejoice  in  a  work  of  this  nature,  whereia 
the  honor  of  their  divine  master  is  so  much  concerned ; 
how  much  more  is  it  to  be  looked  for  from  those  employed 
in  the  ministry  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  so  stand  in  a  special 
relation  to  him,  as  servants  of  his  household,  and  officers 
in  his  kingdom  ?  These  stand  as  watchmen  upon  the  walls 
of  his  Jerusalem  ;  and  it  is  their  business,  not  only  to  give 
the  alarm  of  war,  when  the  enemy  is  approaching,  but  to 
=ound  the  trumpet  of  praise  when  the  Kingof  Zioncometh 
in  meek  triumph,  having  salvation. 

"  For  these  and  other  reasons,  we,  whose  names  are 
hereunto  annexed,  pastors  of  churches  in  New-England, 
met  together  in  Boston,  July  7th,  1743,  think  it  our  indis- 
pensable duty,  (v'ithout  judging  or  censuring  such  of  our 
brethren,  as  cannot  at  present  see  thin[;;s  in  the  same  light 
with  us,)  in  this  open  and  conjunct  manner,  to  dedare,  to 
the  glory  of  sovereign  grace,  our  full  persuasion,  either 
from  what  we  have  seen  ourselves,  or  received  upon  credi- 
ble testimony,  that  there  has  been  a  happy  and  remarkable 
revival  of  religion  in  many  parts  of  this  land,  thrcgh  an 
uncommon  divine  iiuluence,  after  a  lung  timt  of  great  dc- 

G2 


ir 


360 


fllSTOUV  OF 


<^BAi'.  vii;.  I  ^'hap.  VII 


.M 


» 


lk)OK  It.  < .»}  iind  deuliM.'SR.  and  a  sensible  and  very  awful  wilTidrawii 

>-^->/-^^  of'ilif  Holy  Spirit  from  his  sanctuary  among  us. 

1 743.        Though  the  woik  of  grace  wrought  in  the  hearts  of  men. 

Tin  icoi-  hy  din  word  and  spirit  of  God,  and  which  has  more  orlrs^ 

"('."r"!     ^*'''"  •^"'''■'''•'  *^'"  '^^"'"  ^^^  beginning,  Is  always  the  same  for 

!.i>i!vr«  h"  su'^stancc,  and  agrees,  at  one  time  and  another,  as  to  ilu 

r',&c.      Tnaitv  strokes  and  lineaments  of  it,  yet   the  present  work 

appears  to  be  remarkable  and  eitraordinary,  on  accoiini 

of  the  mnnbcrs  wrought  upon.     We  never  before  saw  so 

many   br      ;ht   under    soul   concern,   and  with  distress, 

making  V     inquiry,  What  shall  we  do  to  be  saved  ?    and 

(hcse,  per.ions  of  all  charactcrs,andall  ages.    With  regard 

to  the  suddenness  and  quick  progress  of  it,  many  person> 

and  places  were  surprised  with  the  gracious  visit,  together. 

or  near  about  the'  same  time ;  and  the  heavenly  infiuenc: 

dilliisrd  itself  far  and  wide,  like  the  light  of  the  morninir. 

Also,  in  respect  to  the  degree  of  operation.,  both  in  a  hu\ 

of  terror  and  in  a  way  of  consolaliwi ;  attended  in  many 

with  unusual  bodily  eflccts, 

'•  Not  that  -  II  who  were  accounted  the  subjects  of  thi 
present  .vork,  have  had  these  extraordinary  degrees  oi 
previous  distress  and  subsequent  joy  ;  but  many,  and  vn. 
.suppose  the  greatest  number,  have  been  wrought  on  in  n 
more  gentle  and  silent  way,  and  without  any  other  appear 
ances  than  are  common  and  usual  at  other  times,  when  per 
sons  have  been  awakened  to  a  solemn  concern  about  sal 
vation,  and  have  been  thought  to  have  passed  out  of  u 
state  of  nature  into  a  state  of  grace* 

"  As  to  those  whose  inwaru  concern-  has  occasioned  ex 
(raordinary  outward  distresses,  the  most  of  them  when  avp 
came  to  converse  with  them,  were  able  to  give,  what  ap- 
peared to  us,  a  rational  account  of  what  affected  their 
luinds,  viz.  a  quick  sense  of  their  guilt,  misery  and  dan- 
ger ;  and  they  would  often  mention  the  passages  in  tho 
.sermons  they  heard,  or  particular  texts  of  scripture  which 
>verc  set  home  Upon  them  with  such  powerful  impression. 
And  as  to  such  whose  joys  have  cairied  them  into  trans- 
poi'ts  and  extacies,  they,  in  like  manner,  have  accounted 
for  them,  from  a  lively  sense  of  the  danger  they  hoped 
they  were  freed  from,  and  the  happiness  they  were  now 
]jossessed  of-,  such  clear  views  of  divine  and  heavenly 
ihingSr  and  particularly  of  the  excellences  and  loveliness 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  such  sweet  tastes  of  redeem- 
ing love,  as  they  never  had  before.  The  instances  were 
very  few,  in  which  we  had  reason  to  think  these  aflection!« 
were  produced  by  visionary  or  sensible  representations, 
or  any  other  images,  than  such  as  the  scripture  itscV 
wcscnts  to  us. 


t 


HAf.  vni. 


CONNF.CTICUT. 


2jl 


•'And  here  wc  lliink  il  not  amiss  to  dcrluro,  thai  in  Book  11. 
iialiiig  with  these  persons,  \vr  have  been  ( an  ful  to  in-  s^^-^r^^/ 
ibrin  them  that  the  nature  of  conversion  does  not  consist    iTi.j. 
, (I  such  passionate  feelinj^s,  and  to  warn  them  imt  to  h->ok  Tiio  imt»- 
.i|)on  their  state  safe,  because  ihey  have  passed  out  oi'"'*>"r'"" 
,locp  distress  into  high  joys,  unless  they  experience   a  |,',"j|',|!"^"" 
tpnovation  of  nature,  followed  with  a  change  of  life  and  a  c  hurciK-, 
.ourse  of  vital  holiness.     Nor  have  wc  gone  into  such  an  ^' 
opinion  of  the  bodily  eflccls  with  m  hich  this  work  has  been 
attended  in  some  of  its  subjects,  as  to  judge  them  any 
signs  that  persons  who  have  been  so  affected,  were  then 
under  a  saving  work  of  the  spirit  of  God.     No,  wc  never 
so  much  as  called  these  bodily  seizures,  convictions;  or 
spake  of  them  as  the  immediate  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
Vet  we  do  not  iliink  them  inconsistent  with  a  work  of  God 
upon  the  soul  at  that  very  time  ;  but  judge  that  those  in- 
ward impressions,  which  come  from  the  spirit  of  God, 
ihose  terrors  and  consolations  which  he  is  the  author  of, 
inay,  according  to  the  natural  frame  and  constitution  which 
^iome  persons  are  of,  occasion  such  bodily  effects.     And 
therefore,  that  those  extraordinary   outward   symptoms, 
are  not  an  argument  that  the  work  is  delusive,  or  from  the 
influente  and  agency  of  the  evil  spirit. 

"  With  respect  to  numbers  of  those  who  have  been  under 
\\\c  impressions  of  the  present  day,  we  must  dec'  there 
is  good  ground  to  conclude  they  arc  become  real  x;hris- 
tians ;  the  account  they  give  of  their  conviction  and  conso- 
iatk)n,  agreeing  with  the  standard  of  the  holy  scriptures, 
:ind  corresponding  with  the  experiences  of  the  saints,  and 
evidenced  by  the  external  fruits  of  holiness  in  their  lives  : 
io  that  they  appear  to  those  who  have  the  nearest  access 
to  them,  as  so  many  epistles  of  Christ,  written,  not  with 
ink,  but  by  the  spirit  of  the  living  God,  attesting  to  the 
genuineness  of  the  present  operation,  and  representing  the 
excellency  of  it. 

"  Indeed,  many  who  appeared  to  be  under  convictions, 
and  were  much  altered  in  thel.  external  behaviour  when 
this  work  began,  and  while  it  was  most  flourishing,  have 
lost  their  impressions,  and  are  relapsed  into  their  former 
manner  of  life  :  Yet  of  those  who  were  judged  hopefully 
converted,  and  made  a  puUicpror&^sion  of  religion,  there 
have  been  fewer  instances  of  scandal  and  apostacy  than 
fflighi  be  expected.  So  that,  as  far  as  we  are  able  to  form 
a  judgment,  the  face  of  religion  is  lately  changed  much  for 
the  better,  in  many  of  our  towns  and  congregations ;  and 
together  with  a  reformation  observable  in  divers  instan- 
ces, tliere  appea,rs  more  experimental  ^odline^s,  and  Uyc- 


2j2 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  Vill.    ■  Chaf.  VI 


lavf; 


Book  11.  ly  rlirislianity,  than  the  most  of  us  can  remember  wc  b 
Tver  srcii  Ix-mrr. 

"  Thus  wc  have  freely  declared  our  thoughts  as  toihe 
workof  Go»l,  so  remarkably  revived  in  many  parts  ofilii^ 
land.     And  no\T,  we  desire  to  bow  the  knee  in  thanks;iiv. 
ing  to  the  God  and  father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  ihai 
our  eyes  have  seen  and  our  ears  have  heard  such  things. 
And  while  these  are  our  sentiments,  we  must  necessarily 
be  grieved  at  at?y  accounts  sent  abroad,  representing  this 
work  as  all  enthusiasm,  delusion  and  disordc.     Indeed  it 
is  not  to  be  denied,  that  in  some  places,  many  irregulari- 
ties  and  extravagances  have  been  permitted  to  accompa- 
ny it,  which  we  would  deeply  lament  and  bewail  before 
God,  and  look  upon  ourselves  obliged  for  the  honor  of 
iho  Holy  Spirit,  and  his  blessed  operations  on  the  souls  of 
men,  to  bear  a  public  and  faithful  testimony  against,  though 
at  the  same  time,  it  is  to  be  acknowledged,  that  in  other 
places  where  the  work  has  greatly  flourished,  there  have 
been  few,  if  any  of  these  disorders  and  excesses.     But  who 
can  wonder  if,  at  such  a  time  as  this,  satan  should  inter- 
mingle himself,  to  hinder  and  blemish  a  work  so  directly 
contrary  to  the  interests  of  his  kingdom  ?  Or  if,  while  so 
much  good  seed  is  sowing,  the  enemy  should  be  busy  to 
sow  tares  ?  We  would  therefore,  in  the  bowels  of  Jesus, 
beseech  such  as  have  been  partakers  of  this  work,  and  are 
zealous  to  promote  it,  that  they  be  not  ignorant  of  satan's 
devices  ;  that  they  watch  and  pray  against  errors  and  mis- 
conduct of  every  kind,  lest  they  blemish  and  hinder  that 
which  they  desire  to  honor  and  advance. 

"  Particularly, 

"  That  they  do  not  make  secret  impulses  on  their  minds, 
without  a  due  regard  to  the  written  word,  the  rule  of  their 
duty ;  a  very  dangerous  mistake,  which  we  apprehend 
some  in  these  times  have  gone  into. — That,  to  avoid  Ar- 
minianism,  they  do  not  verge  to  the  opposite  side  of  Anti> 
nomianism;  while  we  would  have  others  take  heed  to 
themselves,  lest  they  be,  by  some,  led  into,  or  fixed  in  Ar- 
minian  tenets,  under  the  pretence  of  opposing  Antinomian 
errors :  That  laymen  do  not  invade  the  ministerial  office, 
and,  under  a  pretence  of  exhorting,  set  up  preaching; 
which  is  very  contrary  to  gospel  order,  and  tends  to  inh-o- 
duce  errors  and  confusion  into  the  church :  That  ministers 
do  not  invade  the  province  of  others,  and,  in  ordinary  ca- 
ses, preach  in  another's  parish,  without  his  knowledge, 
and  against  his  consent ;  nor  encourage  raw  and  indiscreet 
candidates,  in  rushing  into  particular  places,  and  preachi- 
ing  publicly  qr  privately,  a^  some  hst^e  done,  to  the  no 


CHAf.  VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


253 


mail  disrepute  and  damage  of  the  work,  in  places  where  Book  II. 
,1  onre  promised  well,     fbough,  at  the  same  time,  we  s^-^r^^^ 
v.ould  have  ministers  shew  a  regard  to  the  spiritual  wel-  Tt..  :'>ii- 
ure  of  their  people,  by  suflTerine  them  to  mrtake  of  the  "*"")  '""* 
•itts  and  graces  ot  able,  sound  and  zealous  preachers,  ns  ^l^.  ,,;„tora 
(jOD.  in  his  providence,  may  give  opportunity  therefor;  of  the 
being  persuaded  God  has,  in  this  day,  remarkahly  blest  '^"",'''.'j 
iie  labours  of  some  of  his  servants,  who  have  travelled,  in   ^' 
preaching  the  gospel  of  Christ:  That  people  beware  of 
rntertaining  prejudices  against  their  own  pastors,  and  do 
not  run  into  unscriptural  separations :  That  they  do  not 
indulge  a  disputatious  spirit,  which  has  been  attended  with 
mischievous  effects ;  nor  discover  a  spirit  of  censorious* 
ness,  uncharitableness,  and  rash  judging  the  state  of  others ; 
than  which  scarce  any  thing  has  more  b'  -nishcd  the  work 
of  God  amongst  us.     And  while  we  would  meekly  exhort 
both  ministers  and  christians,  so  far  as  it  is  consistent  with 
truth  and  holiness,  to  follow  the  things  which  make  for 
peace ;  we  would  most  earnestly  warn  all  sorts  of  persons 
not  to  despise  those  outpourings  of  ;he  Spirit,  lest  a  holy 
God  be  provoked  to  withhold  them,  and  instead  thereof, 
{0  pour  out  upon  this  people  the  vials  of  his  wrath,  in  tern* 
poral  judgments  and  spiritual  plagues;  and  would  call  up- 
on every  one  to  improve  this  remarkable  season  of  grace, 
and  put  in  for  a  share  of  the  heavenly  blessing  so  liberally 
dispensed. 

"Finally,  .>; 

"  We  exhort  the  children  of  God  to  continue  inrstant  in 
prayer,  that  He,  with  whom  is  the  residue  of  the  Spirit, 
would  grant  us  fresh,  more  plentiful  and  extensive  effusions, 
that  so  this  wilderness,  in  all  the  parts  of  it,  may  become 
a  fruitful  field:  That  the  present  appearances  may  be  an 
earnest  of  the  glorious  things  promised  to  the  church  in 
the  latter  days,  whc^n  she  shall  shine  with  the  glor%  of  the 
Lord  risen  upon  her,  so  as  to  dazzle  the  e^es  of  behold- 
ers, confound  and  put  to  shame  all  her  enemies,  rejoice  the 
hearts  of  her  solicitous  and  now  saddened  friends,  and  have 
^  strong  influence  and  respletulency  throughout  the  eartJi. 
Amen. 

"  Even  so  come.  Lord  Jesus  j  come  quickly."* 

"  After  solemn  and  repeated  prayers,  free  inquiry  and 
debate,  and  serious  deiibcraticn,  ihe  above. testimony  and 
advice  was  signed"  by  about  seventy  ministers.  Forty- 
three,  either  at  that  time,  or  soon  after,  sent  in  their  testi- 
mony to  the  W!ork,  as  a  glorious  work  of  God,  making  iu 
the  whole  about  one  hundred  and  ten.  Among  these,  were 
*  PrMice's  Cbim.  Iljatory,  vol.  i.  from  page  156  to  164. 


U4 


HISTORY  Ui' 


Chap.  Vlli. 


ji«Jcr!'  in 
Coniiccti- 
•;ut,  1743 


Book  II.  ni/ir  iimii^tors  of  the  rDngro^alional  churches  in  Bostoi, 
*,^-v-^  and  (he  Rev.  Mr.  Moorhend,  of  the  preshyterian  congr(t;,i 
tion  in  Bostoti.     Dr.  Chunncey  was  ahnont  alone  in  hh 
ot)})0<sition  to  the  work,  among  the  ministers  in  Boston. 
Most  of  the  hundred  and  fifteen  miniMters  mentioned  alx)V(: 
l)elonged  to  the  pmvince  of  Massachusetts.  Besides  tlicst. 
there  were  a  considerable  number  of  others,  who  alid- 
wards  sent  in  their  testimonial  to  the  work  ;  some  in  Ma^ 
sachusetts,  some  in  New-Hampshire,  and  one  or  two  in 
Rhode- Island. 
„  In  Connecticut,  two  associations  bore  witness  to  it,  as  a 

oAhnmin-  gloHous  work  ofGod  :  the  whole  association  of  Windham 
county,  in  their  letter  to  the  churches  under  their  pastoral 
care  :  and  the  association  of  the  eastern  district  of  P'air- 
ficld  county,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Prince,  in  1743.*  Twelve 
ministers  convened  at  Norwich,  June  23d,  1743.t  The 
association  in  Faii'field  county,  in  their  attestation  say, 
"  We  look  upon  ourselves  and  all  the  ministers  and  pcd- 
pic  of  God  tnroughout  the  land,  under  infinite  obligations 
for  ever  to  admire  and  adore  rich,  free  and  sovereign  grace, 
so  amazingly  displayed  in  visiting  a  professing  people,  iu 
a  day  of  such  general  security,  indolence  and  formality ; 
causing  bo  great  an  awakening  of  all  sorts  of  persons,  con- 
vincing so  many  of  sir.,  righteousness  and  judgment,  and 
bringing  such  numbers  of  different  ages,  hopefully  to  closo 
savingly  with  the  dear  Jesus,  on  the  self  denying  terms  oi 
the  gospel,  so  as  that  it  far  exceeded  even  any  hopes  or 
expectation  of  ours,  as  well  as  any  thing  of  this  nature  \\f 
ever  saw  in  oyrday. 

"  We  cannot  but  be  sensibly  touched  with  sorrow,  to 
see  that  there  arc  many,  who  (not  duly  distinguishing  be- 
tween the  blessed  work,  and  some  evils  that  have  attended 
it,  by  the  misconduct  both  of  some  of  the  instruments  and 
subje(;ts,)  stumble  and  are  in  hazard  of  falling :  as  well  as 
to  find  reason  to  fear,  that  io  some  places,  the  work  itself  is 
opposed. 

"  To  conclude,  we  cannot  omit  giving  in  our  public  tes- 
timony, from  our  own  happy  experience  and  observation, 
that  the  frequent  intercliange  of  ministerial  labors,  has  been 
remarkably  owned  and  blessed  of  God  to  the  hopeful 
awakening  of  many  souls ;  and  could  heartily  wish  thai 
ministerial  communion,  and  an  hearty  reception,  as  well  as 
joyful  improvement  of  each  others  ministerial  gifts,  and  oc- 
casional labors  might  still  be  encouraged  and  maintained 
among  gospel  ministers  throughout  the  land. 

Anthony  Stoddard,  of  Woodbury,  first  society. 
*  Prmce'8  Clirietian  History,  vol.  ji,  p.  311,  312.    +  Vol.  i.  p.  195,  W' 


I  "ha  p. 


vin. 


CONNECTICUT. 


Samukl  Cook,  of  StrntfirUl. 

John  (»BAiiA«i,  of  Woodbury,  srcontl  sooioiy.- 

IIk/.kkiah  Gold,  of  Stratfonl,  first  socirty. 

.h:uv.ni  ah  Mills,  of  Ripton,  in  Stratford. 

f'^LisHA  Kent. 

Khknczer  White,  of  Danbury. 

H»:vAJAH  Case,  of  Ncw-Fairficld. 

.losKi'H  Bellamy,  of  Woodbury,  third  society. 

David  Judson,  of  Newtown. 

Uel'ben  Judd,  of  Woodbury,  fourth  society. 
In  the  attestation  of  the  Rev.  gentlemen  in  the  ministry, 
onvonrd  at  Norwich,  there  is  the  following  declaration, 
iz.  "  VVe  are  abundantly  satisfied,  that  there  has  of  late, 
;;)r  about  three  years  past,  been  a  great  and  wonderful  re- 
ival  of  religion  in  the  several  places  to  which  we  ministec, 
iiid  ill  divers  others  which  we  are  acquainted  with  ;  where- 
in through  the  mighty  power  and  grace  of  God,  great  num- 
bers of  persons  of  all  sorts,  but  especially  young  people, 
iiave  been   greatly  awakened  and  convinced  of  sin  ;   and 
many,  as  far  as  we  can  judge,  upon  careful  ob-ervation 
ami  examination,  truly  humbled  at  the  foot  of  a  sovereign 
111  1  righteous  God,  and  savingly  brought  to  believe  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  everlasting  life  ;  and  have  since 
lived  so  as  to  give  credit  and  confirmation  to  their  prctcn- 
aions ;  and  do  now  adorn  their  profession  it>  an  humole  and 
boly  life  and  christian  conversation ;  walking  in  the  fear 
and  love  of  God,  and  bringing  forth  fruits  meet  for  repen- 
t;ince  in  the  exercise  of  the  graces  and  virtues  of  the  Cnris- 
fian  life." 

'•Although  many  who  have  made  profession  of  Christian- 
ity and  conversion  have  run  into  imprudent  things,  and 
Jiscovered  much  spiritual  pride  by  rash  censorious  judg- 
ings,  hasty  separations  from  their  ministers  and  brethren, 
and  some  ha'/  e  embraced  wrong  notions  and  principles  in 
religion  :  (though  there  has  been  little  of  that  m  the  places 
where  we  live :)  yet  we  know  of  great  numbers  who  have 
been  happily  preserved  from  such  falls  and  failings,  and 
who  carry  themselves  like  the  meek  acd  humble  disciples 
of  the  blessed  Jesus  ;  and  some  who  have  been  led  astray 
ihrougli  the  subtlety  of  satan,  have  by  grace  been  recov- 
ered in  a  great  measure,  convinced  ot  those  follies  and 
mistakes,  and  humbled  for  the  pride  and  haughtiness  of 
iheir  hearts.  And  all  of  a  bad  nature  and  tendency,  that 
we  have  seen,  does  not  give  us  any  reason  to  think  thai 
iheie  has  not  been  a  great  and  glorious  work  of  divine 
grace  carried  on  among  us,  and  a  great  reformation  and  re- 
vival of  religion ;  for  which  we  desire  to  praise  and  adore 
ho  sovereign  mercy  of  God. 


Rook  If. 


\  .J 


95« 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  VIIF.  I  ^ "*''•  ^  '" 


^^^^^HHxt^^M  ( 

■                           AHrMa- 

^^^^^^m!w 

'                           tions  from 

I^^^^HUnSH^Vrir 

New-J«ir- 

i"ey  and 

^H^HMffi' 

.,                         I'onnsylva 

■BB 

! 

Book  If.      *'  Thus  much  wc  thought  ouinf Ivch  oliligetl  to  nay  to  th.. 
praisr  of  divine  grace,  and  Che  glory  of  Him  who  is  thr  an. 
thor  of  :ill  good,  to  whom  be  all  glory,  Ac." 
We  arf  your  brethren,  itc. 

JosEi'ii  Me^miam,  pastor  of  a  church  in  Coventry. 

Hf.vjamin  Lord,  pastor  of  the  first  church  in  Noi'wir  h. 

Mf:/RKiA>i  Lord,  pastor  of  a  church  in  Preston, 

Solomon  Williams,  pastor  of  the  firi»t  church  in  Lch 
anon. 

Damkl  Kirtland,  pastor  of  a  church  in  Norwich. 

Jamkz  Wright,  pastor  of  a  church  in  Norwich. 

.loHN  OwKN,  pastor  of  the  first  church  in  Groton. 

Samtel  Mosely,  pastor  of  a  church  in  Windham. 

Jonathan  Parsons,  pastor  of  the  first  church  in  Lyni' , 

Er.EAZAR  Whrelock,  pastor  of  a  church  in  Lebanon. 

Benjamin  Pomeroy,  pastor  of  the  church  in  Hebron. 

David  .Iewrtt,  pastor  of  the  second  church  in  New 
London. 

The  general  association  of  the  colony  of  Conneclicuf  nr- 
knowlcdge  the  goodness  of  God  in  this  revival,  and  give 
thanks  unto  him  for  such  a  merciful  visitation.* 

The  Rev.  .Jonathan  Dickinson,  president  of  the  coilogo 
nnii^iva-  ^t  Eliza bethtown,  attested  the  work  as  a  gracious  and  glo- 
rious visitation  of  Qod's  people;  and  at  the  close  of  his 
narrative  of  the  work  of  God  at  Elizabethtown  and  New- 
ark, he  observes,  "  I  was  exceedingly  gratified  by  the  dec- 
laration of  your  last  convention  of  ministers  at  Boston,  and 
have  reason  to  praise  God  that  there  is  such  a  number 
among  you  who  arc  willing  to  give  him  the  glory  of  his 
special  grace  so  eminently  displayed  of  late."  In  his  nar- 
rative he  says,  "  numbers  were  almost  daily  repairing  to 
ine  for  direction  and  assistance  in  their  eternal  concerns ; 
there  were  then  probably  more  come  to  me  in  one  day  on 
that  errand  than  usually  in  half  a  year's  space  before."  Af- 
terwards, in  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Foxcraft,  he  says,  "  I 
have  still  the  comfortable  news  to  Inform  you  of,  that  there 
is  yet  a  great  revival  of  religion  in  these  parts.  I  have 
had  more  young  people  address  me  for  direction  in  their 
spiritual  concerns  within  these  three  months,  than  in  thirty 
years  before."!  The  three  presbyteries  of  New- York, 
New-Brunswick  and  New-Castle,  owned  it  as  a  glorious 
work  of  God.  The  presbytery  of  New- York  protested 
against  such  things  as  tended  to  disparage  the  work,  or  re- 
flect dishonor  upon  it.  Their  protest  is  in  these  words; 
"We  protest  against  all  those  passages  in  any  of  th'.- 

*  Records  of  the  General  Association,  1742. 

i  Prince's  Christian  History,  voJ.  I,  p.  256  and  258. 


dnr. 


VIII. 


CONNKCTICIT. 


»>i 


57 


17  i  J. 


lUv.Mr, 


pami'lil'is  whirh  have  hwtx  pulili.hr*!  iti  th^'so  part"",  Hook  1 1 
Khiih  MTin  to  relict t  upn.i  the  work  ut'  (li\itif  |)i)wr'r  ;i[i(l 
,i,iir  which  hrin  born  currv iiii;  ori  in  sm  h  a  wunciirtui 
manner  in  many  of  our  coii>;r<g.ilions,  and  (lt(  larc  lo  all 
th(>  worMi  that  we  look  upon  it  to  hv  {\iv  in(Ji'>|i(<  l^a)tl(■  dii- 
IV  of  all  our  miniittfrii  to  oncouraj;*'  thai  t,'loriou>  work  with 
ihf'ir  most  faithful  and  dili(;rnt  endeavours. "J  '|'ln>  pres- 
lnurirs  of  Ncw-Brunswitk  and  New-Castle,  manilesteJ 
tlicir  cortlial  conrurrence  with  the  protestation  of  the  pres- 
hWcry  of  New- York.  The  Rev.  Jonathan  Dickinson  was 
ilie  first  signer  of  the  protest  of  the  presbytery  of  New- 
Vork. 

To  these  testimonials  of  this  glorious  work  of  Cod,  if  is  TiMfimo 
important  to  add  the  attestation  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Priiiec,  "y  ""•'• 
one  of  the  scribes  of  the  convention  at  Boston,  viz  : 

"  That  very  few  of  the  ministers  present  in  the  late  ven- 
erable assembly,  complained  of  errors,  or  disorders  in  the 
congregations  they  belonged  to  :  That  several  declared 
they  had  none  from  the  beginning  ;  but,  in  the  extraordi- 
nary revival  of  religion  among  their  people,  the  work  had 
been  carried  on  with  great  seriousness  and  regularity : 
Tiiit  others  declared,  that  where  there  had  been  some  dis- 
orders and  mistakes  at  first  in  some,  through  the  great  num- 
bers suddenly  and  mightily  awakened,  the  great  dis- 
(rosses  of  some  in  their  convictions,  the  great  joy  of  others 
on  their  laying  hold  on  Christ  and  finding  a  wondrous 
clKuigc  within  them,  the  frailty  of  some,  and  the  surprise 
of  all ;  yet,  in  a  litUe  while,  they  saw  and  owned  their  mis- 
takes, came  into  a  more  settled  way  of  thinking,  speaking 
aii«!  behaving,  and  the  disorders  ceased ;  declaring  also, 
thi.t  both  errors  and  disorders  had  been  greatly  magnified 
and  multiplied,  above  what  they  really  were,  in  the  con- 
gregations they  belonged  to ;  and  that  as  far  as  they  could 
learn,  the  greatest  errors  and  disorders  were  in  those  pla- 
ces where  the  ministers  opposed  the  work,  and  thereby 
lost  much  of  their  respect  and  influence. 

"  To  this  may  be  added,  that  as  several  of  the  Rev.  pas- 
tors present  in  the  said  assembly,  subscribed  the  testimo- 
ny and  advice  as  to  the  substance,  others,  as.  to  substance, 
scope  and  end,  and  others  without  restriction  :  this  deem- 
ed chiefly  to  arise  from  this  particular  passage  in  the  ad- 
vice, viz.  "  That  ministers  do  not  invade  the  province  of 
others,  and  in  ordinary  cases,  preach  in  another's  parish, 
without  his  consent."  In  which  particular  article,  some 
of  the  pastors  thought  that  ministers  preaching  in  other 
ministers  parishes,  was  not  sufficiently  testified  against. 

t  Princess  ChrUtiftQ  UUtoiy,  vol.  2,  p.  291. 

H2 


if 


ir 


ii 


HISTORY  OF 


Cn/ip.  Vlfi    I  *^*''* 


1 

Prince's 
observa- 
tiobs. 

^K 

m^^ 

Book  II.  CjiIki  jiaMors  fearefl,  that  this  article  was  in  danger  of  U 
y-^-^^'^s^  ing  construed  and  perverted  to  the  great  infringement  o; 
1713,  christian  and  human  liberty  of  conscience.  And  other 
pastors  apprehended  that  this  artrcle  was  sufficiently  guard- 
I'd  by  the  limitation  to  ordinary  cases :  leaving  it  to  ih 
serious  conscience,  bodi  of  ministers  and  others,  to  judge, 
Avhen  the  cases  are  ordinary  or  not  ordinary. 

"  And  as  pedple  of  all  denominations  and  opinions  la 
the  christian  world,  reckon  it  lawful,  in  many  cases,  for 
ministers  to  preach  in  the  parishes  of  others,  without  their 
knowledge  and  against  their  consent :  Thus  the  protcs 
tants  preached  in  the  parishes  of  papist  ministers  in  Hun 
gary,  and  formerly  in  France ;  the  preshyterians,  congrr- 
gationalists,  baptists  and  quakers,  in  the  parishes  of  epi., 
copalran  ministers  in  England,  Ireland,  Virginia  and  Caro- 
lina ;  the  episcopalians,  baptists  and  qiiakei-s,  in  the  par- 
ishes of  congregational  ministers  in  New-England;  and 
this  liberty  cannot  be  invaded,  or  denied,  without  inhu- 
manly invading  the  essential  rights  of  conscience  :  So  it 
must  be  leil  to  the  serious  consciences  of  ministers  and  peo- 
ple :  And  in  the  free  exercise  of  conscience,  they  arc 
tloubtless  to  be  rndiilged,  with  great  tenderness^  meekness 
and  forbearance ;  as  every  man  desires  to  be  indulged  in 
the  liberty  of  his  own  conscience. ''*' 

Mr.  Prince,  in  the  account  he  gives  of  the  work  in 
Boston,  observes,  "  Those  who  call  these  convictions  by 
the  name  of  religions  frights  or  fears,  and  then  ascribe 
them  to  the  mere  natural  or  mechanical  influence  of  terri- 
ble words,  sounds  and  gestures,  moving  tones  or  boiste- 
rous ways  of  speaking,  appear  to  me  to  oenot  sufficiently 
acquainted  with  the  subjects  of  this  work,  as  carried  on  in 
the  town  in  general,  or  with  the  nature  of  their  convic- 
tions.t  N'o,  conviction  is  quite  another  thing.  It  is  thir 
work  of  the  spirit  of  God,  a  sovereign,  free  and  almight\ 
agent;  wherein  he  gives  the  sinful  soul  such  a  clear  and 
lively  view  of  the  glory  of  the  divine  sovereignty,  omni- 
presence, holiness,  justice,  truth  and  power ;  the  exten- 
siveness,  spirituality  and  strictness  of  his  law ;  the  bindini^' 
irature,  efficacy  and  dreadfulness  of  his  curses  ;  the  multi 
tude  and  heinousness  of  its  sins,  both  of  commission  and 
omission  ;  the  horrible  vileness,  wickedness,  perverseness 
and  hypocrisy  of  heart,  with  its  utterimpotency,  either  right- 
ly to  repent,  or  believe  in  Christ,  or  change  itself:  so  thai 
it  sees  itself  in  a  lost  undone  And  perishing  state  ;  without 

•  Prince's  Chrivtian  History,  vol.  i.  page  1 97,.  198. 
t  To  theie  natural  causes,  Dr.  Chauncey  attempts  to  make  it  appcot 
iMi  (he  work  waa  to  be  ascribcdi  ami  not  to  the  spirit  of  God. 


'^P.  VJI;     I  VHAP.VIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


2jy 


.ic  least  degree  of  worthiness  to  recommend  it  to  the  right-  Book  11. 
iind  holy  God,  and  the  least  degree  of  strength  to 


n)IIS 


jilj)  it  out  of  this  condition.     These  discoveries  arc  made    17 13. 

V  some  reveah'd  truths,  either  in  reading,  hearing  or  re- 
piVmbrancc :  When  in  hearing,  sometimes  by  words  of 
rrror,  and  sometimes  by  womfc,of  tenderness :  And  th^ 
Holy  Spirit,  »vith  such  internal  evidence  and  power,  ap- 
J  lii-s  them  to  the  conscience,  that  they  become  as  sharp 
jrrows,  piercing  into  the  heart,  wounding,  paining  and 
ticking  in  it,  when  all  the  mechanical  impressions  of 
j-ightful  sounds  arc  over,  for  many  days,  and  weeks,  and 
months,  if  not  years  lo^ether ;  until  this  Divine  Agent,  by 
iliese  and  other  convictions,  agreeable  to  his  inspirecl 
word,  entirely  subdues  the  soul  to  Christ," 

Further,  to  show  the  absurdity  of  those  men  who  as- 
ribed  this  glorious  work  to  natural  causes,  he  observes, 

•  In  Old  England  and  in  ^ew,  !  have  been  a  constant 
preacher  and  observer  of  the  religious  state  of  those  who 
ncard  me,  for  above  thirty  years ;  they  have  passed  un- 
Jcr  many  scores  of  most  dreadful  t«mpests  of  thunder  and 
lightning ;  wherein,  as  the  psalmist  represents,  the  voice 
o\  the  Lord  was  upon  the  waters,  the  God  of  glory  thun- 
dered :  Vea,  even  since  the  revival ;  on  Friday  night,  July 
jOth,  1 742,  at  the  lecture  in  the  south  church,  near  nine 
o'clock,  being  very  dark,  there  came  on  a  very  terrible 
)torm  of  thunder  and  lightning;  and  just  as  the  blessing 
was  given,  an  amazing  clap  broke  over  the  church,  with 
piercing  repetitions,  which  set  many  a  ^Jurieking,  and  the 
whole  assembly  into  great  consternation,  God  then  ap- 
peared terrible  out  of  his  high  places*  He  thundered 
:narveUously  with  his  voice :  and  at  th^s,  the  hearts  of  ma- 
ny (as  Elihu's)  trembled,  and  were  moved  out  of  their 
places,  for  near  two  hours  together.  And  yet  in  all  these 
displays  of  the  majesty  of  God,  and  terrifying  apprehen- 
>ions  of  danger,  of  sudden  destruction,  neither  in  this  sur- 
prising night,  nor  in  all  the  course  of  thirty  years,  haye  I 
>carce  known  any,  by  these  kinds  of  terrors,  brought  under 
l^enuine  conviction.  And  what  minister  has  a  voice  like 
God,  and  can  thunder  like  him  ?"* 

Notliing  is  more  evident  from  scripture  and  the  course  Obterra- 
of  providence,  than  this,  that  genuine  convictions  anda**®"'""* 
general  reformation  among  a  people,  cannot  be  eflected  ^{""^f,!^ 
by  the  most  alarming  appearances,  and  the  most  trcmen-  work, 
'lous  judgments,  without  the  special  operations  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  upon  the  heart.    Did  all  the  terrible  things  done  in 
Egypt,  and  at  the  Red  Sea,  produce  conviction  and  refor- 

•  Prince'*  Chrintian  Historj,  to!,  ji.  p.  386,  387,  388,  3»9. 


Jii  m 


CGO 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  Vllf. 


111 


m 


m 


\l 


m 


BookTI.  mation  in  the  P^gypiians?    Did  (he  destruction  of  all  th^ 
^^-^^x^  first  born,  in  cne  night,  brinj:;  them  to  rcpentaTice  ?    Did 
oiiMrva-    ;ill  the  wonders  iii  the  wilderness,  and  the  tremendous  an- 
tions,  iic.  pramnce  of  God  on  Mount  Sinai,  at  which  Moses  and  all 
Isrnel  greatly  feared  and  trembled,  produce  a  genuine  con- 
viction and  reformation  ?    Have  mighty  earthquakes,  which 
have  shaken  cities  to  their  foundations,  and  buried  thou- 
sands of  the  citizens  in  dieir  ruins,  been  able  to  produce 
these  cflccts  ?     Have  the  most  mortal  sicknesses,  which 
have  deprived  families  of  a  numerous  offspring  in  a  few 
weeks,  and  spread  mourning  through  a  whole  countr)  — 
have  the  terrible  visitations  which  some  of  our  capital 
cities  have,  of  late  years,  experienced,  had  those  happy 
efiects?     Certainly  they  have  not.     God  has  reserved  it 
for  the  peculiar  honour  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  to  convince 
men  of  their  sins,  renew  their  hearts,  and  reform  their  lives. 
They  allbrd  strong  evidence,  that  there  is  a  God,  and  ol 
the  truth,  power,  and  excellency  of  the  christian  religion. 
A  great  outcry  was  made  against  the  disorders  which, 
in  some  places,  attended  the  work ;  but  of  these,  in  most 
of  the  churches,  there  was  little  or  nothing ;  and,  perhaps, 
they  were  not  greater  in  any  than  were  found  in  the  church 
at  Corinth,  even  in  the  apostolic  age.     Allowing  that  there 
"were  some  impostors  and  false  teachers,  ihis  is  no  more 
than  was  found  in  the  primitive  and  best  ages  of  the  church. 
How  does  the  apostle  Paul  complain  of  false  apostles  and 
evil  workers,  and  of  such  as  made  shipwreck  of  the  faith. 
A  great  matter  was  made  of  the  separations  which  were 
made  in  some  places,  and  of  the  enthusiasm  which  appear- 
ed among  them.     These,  indeed,  were  unhappy;  theiv 
errors,  at  first,  were  great  and  dangerous ;  and  the  separa^ 
tions,  in  some  places,  have  been  of  lasting  disadvantage, 
both  in  a  civil  and  religious  view.     Yet,  in  justice,  there 
ought  to  be  some  things  said  in  their  favour,  and  in  extenua- 
tion of  their  faults :  there  were  some  things  in  the  church- 
es in  general,  at  that  time,  which  were  grievous  to  many 
good  people,  and  have  been  judged  wrong  by  the  great 
Body  of  judicious  and  learned  divines ;  particularly,  that 
unregenerate  m*  i  have  a  right  to  the  sacramental  table; 
can  consistently  enter  into  covenant  with  God,  and  partake 
of  the  Lord's  supper,  and  ought  to  do  it  as  a  means  of  their 
conversion  to  God  ;*  and  that  persons  who  did  not  come 
to  the  Lord's  supper,  might  have  their  children  baptized, 
upon  what  was  called  owning  the  covenant.     Another  er- 
ror of  these  times,  was,  the  ordaining  of  ministers,  or  in« 

*  This  seems  to  have  been  the  case  6t  Canterbury,  and  other  extraor 
dinary  measures  were  taken. 


Chap. 


VIU. 


CONNECTICUT. 


QGl 


troducing  them  into  the  ministry,  without  the  call  of  the  Book  If. 
,  liurch,  or  against  a  majority  of  it ;  and  sometimes  even  v-^-v^^ 
whore  there  was  not  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters   in  the  Oi.!>.r\:i- 
,ociely,  for  the  candidate  to  be  ordained.t     In  some  othrr  *!""*  ^'^"* 
instances,  separations  were  occasioned,  not  by  enthusiasm, '"'""'  * 
or  error,  as  to  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  but  iiy  reason 
of  the  ordination ;  though  not  against  a  majority  ot  the 
church  and  society,  yet  against  a  large  minority  of  sobor, 
respectable  and  orthodox  members,  both  of  the  church  and 
society,  who  were  opposed  to  the  doctrines  and  preaching 
of  the  candidate,  who  was  ordained.     At  the  same  time, 
the  severe  and  extraordinary  act  of  the  colony,  enforcing 
the  constitution  by  law,  which  never  was  originally  de- 
signed, and  was,  undoubtedly,  inconsistent  with  the  rights 
of  conscience,  gave  further  ground  of  disaflection  to  the 
constitution,  and  of  separation  from  the  standing  churches. 
The  shutting  of  the  zealous  and  powerful  preachers  out  of 
their  pulpits,  by  numbers  of  the  ministers ;  the  suspending 
of  persons  from  the  communion  of  the  churches,  for  hearing 
them  in  other  parishes,  had  a  further  ill  tendency,  to  cre- 
ate distrust  in  their  own  ministers,  as  to  their  real  religion, 
and  to  alienate  their  minds  from  them. 

It  is  also  abundantly  evident,  from  the  accounts  given 
of  those  times,  that  there  was  a  great  defect  with  respect 
to  the  plain  and  faithful  preaching  of  the  doctrines  of  the 
reformation ;  of  original  sin ;  regeneration,  by  the  super- 
natural influences  of  the  Divine  Spirit  ;  justification  by 
faith;  eflfectual .  calling ;  and  the  saints'  perseverance. 
These  doctrines  were  very  little  preached  and  insisted  on, 
by  some  of  the  clergy.  Some  were  evidently  Arniinians. 
Others  there  were  who  preached  nothing  distinguishing, 
so  that  it  could  be  told  what  their  opinions  were. 

Imprisoning  the  separate  preachers,  and  the  cruel  man- 
ner in  which  they  were  treated,  tended  to  alienate  them, 
and  fix  them  in  their  prejudices  and  separation. 

With  respect  to  some  of  the  errors,  which  some  of  the 
separates  seemed  to  hold  at  first,  I  do  not  find,  by  inquiry, 
that  ever  they  preached  or  propagated  them :  especially, 
with  respect  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  they  preached 
nothing,  I  believe,  contrary  to  sound  doctrine.  Exclusive 
of  some  peculiarities,  more  especially  relative  to  the  con- 
stitutions of  churches  and  church  discipline,  they  maintain- 
ed the  doctrines  contained  in  the  Westminster  culechism 
and  confession  of  faith. 

t  At  Plainfield  this  was  in  fact  the  case,  as  is  proved  by  the  manuscripts 
of  the  gentleman  ordained,  now  in  my  hands.  He  was  persuaded  to  be  oi- 
dained  by  the  importunity  of  the  ordainine;  council,  wbo  hoped  that,  by  hi* 
prudence  and  good  sense,  be  would  unite  them. 


26-2 
Book  U. 


IIISTORV  Ol< 


CiiAr.  Vlll. 


<)l>»erta- 
tions  tofl- 
tiuued. 


A>  lo  il)c  admission  of  persons  to  their  communion  and 
church  discipline,  thoy  were  as  strict  as  the  standini 
churche,-.,  at  that  time,  if  not  more  so.  They  as  much  Iti- 
sisled  on  the  necessity  of  sanctification  and  a  holy  lift, 
that  men  might  be  saved,  as  did  the  standing  ministers  and 
churches.  Some  of  their  preachers  were  exemplary,  and. 
considering  their  advantages,  were  good  preachers.  Thi^ 
c:haracter  is  given  of  the  separate  church,  and  of  M»-. 
Thomas  Stephens,  their  ;  as  tor,  at  Plainfield,  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Rowland,  who  was  contemporary  with  hinj  during  iho 
whole  of  his  ministry,  viz- ; — "  Although  some  things  aj). 
pcared  among  them,  at  first,  very  unwarrantable ;  yet. 
considering  their  infant  state,  it  must  be  acknowledged  by 
all  that  were  acquainted  with  them,  that  they  were  a  peo- 
ple, in  general,  conscientiously  engaged  for  maintaining 
and  promoting  the  truth ;  and  the  said  Mr.  Stephens,  their 
minister,  was  a  very  clear  and  powerful  preacher  of  the 
j^ospcl,  as  must  be  acknowledged  by  all  that  heard  him; 
especially,  considering  his  education,  which  was  hardly 
ecjual  to  common  learning."* 

How  far  enthusiasm  may  consist  with  true  religion,  it  is 
diflicult  to  determine.  Governor  Hutchinson  relates  of 
the  Boston  enthusiasts,  who  were  banished  for  their  errors^ 
that  "  many  of  them  returned,  and  were  employed  in  posts 
of  honour  and  trust ;  were  exemplary  in  their  lives  and 
conversation  ;  and  their  letters  and  private  papers  shewed 
that  they  were  pious  and  devout ;  and,  with  the  name  ol 
Antinomians.  paid  the  strictest  regard  to  moral  virtue."  f 
I  cannot  but  hope,  from  the  best  information  I  have  been 
ftble  to  obtain,  that  this  was  the  case  with  many  of  the  sepa- 
rates. They  gradually  became  sensible  of  many  of  theii 
errors,  and  renounced  them.J 

Of  all  the  ministers  and  churches  in  the  colony,  thoso 
of  the  county  of  New-Haven  manifested  the  greatest  op- 
position to  the  work  which  was  carried  on  in  tne  land,  in 
the  religious  revival,  and  adopted  the  most  severe  and  ty- 
faimical  measures  to  suppress  it.  They  not  only  suspend- 
ed the  ministers  who  ordained  Mr.  Lee  over  a  congrega- 

**  Manuscripts  of  the  Rev.  David  Rowland. 

t  Hutchin^on^s  History  of  Massachusetts,  vol.  i.  p.  75. 

'I  In  an  Historical  Narrative  and  Declaration,  agreed  upon  at  Killin;;]}-, 
by  a  number  of  their  churches,  convened  at  that  [»lace,  Sept.  19th,  1781, 
they  confess  and  condennn  most  of  the  errors  of  the  firat  separates  ;  and 
txpress  their  willingness  to  hold  communion  with  such  of  the  standing 
«'hurchrs,  as  required  a  credible  profession  of  Christianity,  in  the  admission 
«it  nitmbers  to  full  communion  in  their  churches,  and  had  renounced  the 
lialf  way  practice,  as  it  was  called.  They  also  declared  their  assent  to 
the  Westminster  catechism,  and  the  confeVionof  faith  in  the  Cambridlge 
•sad  Snybrook  platform?. 


?.  Vlll. 


(HAP.  VUf. 


CONNECTICUT. 


i03 


ion  and 
Inndinf, 
iiuch  hi- 
oly  lift. 
tersand 
ry,  aixl. 
.    Thi^ 
I  of  Mr. 
the  Rev. 
iring  Iho 
lings  ap- 
)le ;  ycl. 
dgcd  by 
•e  a  peo- 
intaining 
jns,  iheii 
ir  of  the 
trd  him; 
iS  hardly 


rion,  it  IS 

elates  of 


!ir  errors. 


I  in  posts 

lives  and 

8  shewed 

name  ol 

virtue."! 

ve  been 

le  scpa- 

of  tbelL' 


^y 


m 


thosf! 
atest  op- 
land, 
e  and  ty- 
suspend- 
ongrega 


it  Killins;!}-, 
19th,  1781, 
irates ;  and 
standinj; 
c  admission 
ounced  the 
ir  assent  to 
Caiabriolge 


le 


•ional  churcJr,  horn  their  associationa)  communion ;  but  Book  If. 
they  undertook  to  reprimand  the  church,  for  not  forming 
on  the  constitution,  and  adopting  the  Cambridge  platform. 
They  reprimanded  Mr.  Cook,  for  assisting  in  the  tormation 
pf  die  church  in  New-Haven.  They,  indeed,  proceeded 
.0  far  a?  to  shut  their  pulpits  against  the  ministers  of  the 
v.hole  presbytery  of  New-Brunswick,  for  their  disorderly 
conduct,  in  intermeddling  with  the  separation  at  MilforJ, 
„iitil  they  should  make  proper  satisfaction.* 

They  seem  to  have  rendered  themselves  unpopular,  and 
10  have  awakened  the  general  resentment  of  their  brethren. 
In  June,  1749,  the  general  association  was  at  the  Rev.  Mr. 
N'oyes' :  four  members  only  met.  There  seems  to  have 
been  such  a  dispn;reement  between  the  ministers  at  this 
lime,  that  they  would  not  meet  together.  Two  genera! 
associations  successively,  were  so  thin,  that  no  business 
was  transacted.  But,  notwithstanding  the  unreasonable 
and  powerful  opposition  made  to  the  work  of  God  at  this 
ime,  and  all  the  clamour  which  was  made  about  errors 
and  disorders,  it  was  the  most  glorious  and  extensive  revi- 
val of  religion,  and  reformation  of  manners,  which  this 
country  ever  experienced*  It  is  estimated  that  in  the  term 
of  two  or  three  years  thirty  or  forty  thousand  souls  were 
born  into  the  family  of  heaven,  in  New-England,  besides 
great  numbers  in  New- York  and  New-Jersey,  and  in  the 
more  southern  provinces. 

The  effects  on  great  numbers,  were  abiding  and  most 
liappy.  They  were  the  most  uniform,  exemplary  chris- 
tians, with  whom  I  was  ever  acquainted.  I  wr  s  born,  and 
had  my  education,  in  that  part  of  the  town  of  Hebron,  in 
which  the  work  was  most  prevalent  and  powerful.  Many 
at  that  time  imagined  they  were  born  )f  God,  made  a  pro- 
fession of  their  faith  in  Cfhrist,  were  admitted  to  full  com- 
munion, and  appeared  to  walk  with  God.  They  were  ex- 
iiaordinary  for  their  constant  and  serious  attention  on  the 
public  worship ;  they  were  prayerful,  righteous,  peaceable 
and  charitable.  They  kept  up  their  religious  meetings  for 
prayer,  reading  and  religious  conversation,  for  many  yeai  s. 
They  were  strict  in  the  religion  and  government  of  their 
iamilies,  and  I  never  knew  that  any  one  of  them  was  ever 
guilty  of  scandal,  or  fell  under  discipline.  About  eight  oi' 
ten  years  after  the  religious  revival  and  reformation,  thaf: 
part  of  the  to''  i  was  made  a  distinct  society,  and  it  was 
mentioned  to  Mr.  Lothrop,  the  pastor  elect,  as  an  encour- 
agement to  settle  with  them,  that  there  was  not  a  drunkard 
in  the  whole  parish.    While  I  lived  in  it,  I  did  not  kaovi 

♦  Records  tf  the  a'ssoci'afion  of  the  cdunly  of  Ncw-Havcn,  174". 


1' 


!.^ 


«-''  I  ill 


;i<: 


m 


mm 


■;fe 


m 


.#fc^*%« 


2C4 


JIISTOPY  OF 


Chap.  V|||. 


m 


1.: 


i; 


mi 


m.^ 


i-i'^m^ 


Book  If.  one  pniyerlcss  family  among  his  people,  nor  ever  heard 
of  one. 

Some  of  those  people,  who  dated  their  conversion  from 
thai  j)eriod,  lived  until  they  were  far  advanced  in  life;  ain] 
after  I  was  settled  in  the  mirlstry,  1  became  acquainir,! 
wii!i  them  in  >'ie  place  and  another.  They  appeared  u, 
be  .some  of  the  most  con  (stent,  practical  christians  i^iii, 
whom  I  ever  had  an  acqu  lintance.  Their  light  shoii  b  - 
fore  men,  throngb  .)  long  life,  and  brightened  as  they  r.il. 
vanced  on  then*  way.  So.ne  1  was  callid  to  '  isit,  in  ihnir 
last  moments,  in  full  posHtssion.of  th-^ ir  rational  powr rs;, 
who  appeared  perfectly  to  .u(juiescc  in  ihe  wili  of  God.  .o 
die  in  the  full  assurance  of  iiuth,  and  a  perfect  triumph 
over  the  last  enemy. 

But  the  principal  instruments  of  this  work.  Whi  fjfiok], 
!'')meroy,  Wheelock,  Bellamy,  Uc,  were  spolo^n  of  by  thr 
ojiposcrs  as  (he  worst  of  men,  even  with  cntt mpt  an  I 
abliorrci?  I  .  At  the  same  time  they  were  ever  greatly  o> 
teemed  aiv'  Jjoloved  by  thi.;  warm,  zealous,  experimenta! 
christians  in  'h?»  country,  and  many  owned  them  as  their 
lathers  in  Chaj  ,r.* 

*  The  inroTi! pat  able  Cowpep,  under  the  name  of  LKUcoMOMrs,  tlws 

characterizes  !VJr.  VVhitefield : 

He  lovM  the  world  that  hated  him :  the  tear 

That  dropp'd  upon  his  bible  was  sincere  : 

AssaiiM  by  scandal  and  the  tongue  of  strife^ 

His  only  answer  was,  a  blameless  life ; 

Atid  he  that  forg'd,  and  he  that  threw  the  dart, 

iiad  each  a  brothers^  interest  in  his  heart. 

PauPs  love  of  Chhist,  and  steadiness  unbrib'd, 

Were  copied  close  in  him,  and  well  transcribM. 

Ho  followed  Paul ;  his  zeal  a  kindred  flame, 

His  apostolic  charity  the  same  ; 

Like  him,  crossM  cheerfully  tempestuous  seas, 

Forsakmg  country,  kindred,  friends,  and  ease ; 

Like  him,  he  labored,  and  like  him  content 

To  bear  it,  suffered  shame  whene'er  he  went. 

Slush  calumny !  and  upon  his  tomb, 

If  honest  eulogy  can  spare  the  room. 

Thy  deep  repentance  of  thy  thousand  lies. 

Which  aim'd  at  him,  have  pierc'd  the  offended  skies, 

And  say,  blot  out  my  sin,  confessed,  deplorM, 

Against  thine  image  in  Ihy  saint,  O  Lord. 

Cawper''a  Poems^  vol.  i.  p.  126. 
Dr.  Ilawnis  speaks  of  him,  as  iastrumental  of  more  conversions  than  anv 

man,  since  the  apostle  Paul. 


:,,Af.  IX.  CONNECTICUT. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

*n,inish  and  French  roar,  TTie  colony  put  into  a  slate  of  de- 
*t»ce.  Expedition  against  the  S^mnish  settlements  in  the 
ihi't'lnilies.  Regiments  raised  in  the  colonies.  His  ma- 
jcsty^s  rt'inisition  of  the  colony.  The  measures  adopted 
mcovrtyh'ce  toithit,  Porto  Bella  attacked,  taken  and 
»i.idf '■((!.  Unsuccessful  expedition  against  Carthagena 
and  Cuba.  The  French  declare  war  against  England. 
Canso  taken  by  the  French.  Expedition  against  Cape. 
Breton.  li  surrenders  to  Admiral  Warrren  and  General 
Prpfreil.  Sickness  among  the  Provincials  who  kept 
f^arrison  there.  The  effects  of  its  capture  on  the  French, 
court.  The  Duke  d[' AnvilW s  armament.  Alarm  in  Kew- 
Cigland.  His  total  fqilure.  Supplies  furnished  by  Con- 
necticut during  the  war.  The  general  effects  of  it  on  the 
colonies.     Pacification, 

AS  the  differences  which  at  this  time  subsisted  between 
the  courts  of  Great-Britain  and  Spain,  threatened  the 
«|ieedy  commencement  of  hostilities  between  the  two  na- 
tions, the  general  assembly  passed  several  acts  for  the  pur- 
pose of  putting  the  colony  into  a  state  of  defence.  It  was 
ordered  that  ten  cannon  should  be  procured  and  put  into 
ihe  battery  at  New-London,  and  that  it  should  be  well  fur- 
nished with  ammunition.  It  was  also  provided  that  cannon 
and  swivels  should  be  provided  for  a  sloop  of  war :  and  that 
the  new  towns  on  the  frontiers  should  be  provided  with 
arms  and  ammunition  for  their  defence.  The  militia  were 
also  now  formed  into  regiments,  and  a  colonel,  lieutenant- 
colonel,  and  major  were  appointed  to  each  regiment.  The 
militia  thus  formed  consisted  of  thirteen  regiments. 

About  the  same  time  war  was  declared  between  the  two 
nations:  expeditions  were  soon  undertaken  against  the 
Spanish  West-Indies,  Porto  Bello,  Carthagena  and  Cuba. 
Requisitions  were  made  on  the  colonies  to  assist  in  these 
enterprises.  It  was  contemplated  that  four  regiments 
should  be  raised  in  the  colonies  in  America,  to  be  trans- 
ported to  Jamaica,  there  to  form  a  junction  wiih  a  power- 
ful armament  from  Great-Britain.  His  majesty  required 
that  the  expense  of  victualling  the  troops  and  of  providing 
all  necessaries  for  them  until  they  should  join  the  arma- 
ment in  the  West-Indies,  and  of  their  transportation,  ex- 
cept their  clothing,  pay,  arms,  tents  and  ammunition, 
fhould  be  borne  by  the  coloaies.    Connecticut  engaged 

I   2 


.!;r ' 


Oct.  nth. 


The  colo- 
ny put  into 
a  state  of 
defence. 


Spanish 
war,   Oct, 
23d. 

Expedi- 
tioDS  a- 
gaiait  tha 
Spanish 
We8t-In» 
dies. 


Jf:' 


206 


IIISTOUY  OK 


Chap,  IX   I  Oiap.  l?^* 


m 


%* 


m 


BoukII.  with  rlircrfuliicss  and  expedition  in  lii^   innjesij's  mca«. 

s^'^y-^  lire*.  A  special  assembly  was  convoked  in  July,  nnd  n 
1740.  was  enacted,  that  "Whereas  his  majesty  has  thought  fit 
to  declare  war  against  Spain,  and  hath  appointed  ari  ex 
pcdilion  against  the  territories  of  the  catholic  king  in  the 
West-Indies,  and  given  his  orders  and  instructions  under 
his  royal  sign  manual,  now  laid  before  this  assembly  by 
his  honor  the  governor,  for  the  raising  of  such  troops  in  the 
colony  as  shall  voluntarily  enlist  in  the  said  service,  to  join 
the  British  troops  in  a  general  rendezvous  in  the  West 
Indies  :  and  whereas  it  appears  by  said  instructions,  thot 
it  is  his  majesty's  expectation  that  the  assembly  will  pro. 
vide  victuals,  transports,  and  all  necessaries  for  the  said 
troops,  to  be  raised  in  this  colony,  except  their  clothfs, 
tents,  arms,  ammunition  and  pay,  until  they  arrive  at  th'> 
place  of  the  general  rendezvous,  which  important  affuji 
this  assembly  being  most  willing  to  exert  themselves  to 
promote  by  a  cheerful  conformity  to  his  majesty's  instruc- 
tions, therefore  be  it  enacted, — That  there  shall  be  pro- 
vido-i  victuals,  trjinsports,  and  all  other  necessaries  forsaiil 
troops,  &c.  till  their  arrival  in  the  West-Indies."  Com- 
mittees were  appointed  to  carry  these  measures  into  imme- 
diate effect. 

The  governor,  previously  to  this,  had  issued  his  procla- 
(nation  giving  notice  of  his  majesty's  pleasure,  and  encour- 
aging  the  enlistment  of  volunteers  for  the  service.  The 
committees  were  now  ordered  to  collect  the  names  of  all 
who  had  enlisted  in  the  several  counties.  The  p"^vernoi 
and  council  were  directed  to  appoint  the  oncers  and  to 
give  notice  who  they  were,  that  the  soldiers  might  choose 
und-er  whom  they  would  serve.  The  governor  was  desir- 
ed to  issue  a  second  proclamation,  as  his  majesty's  pleas- 
ure was  now  more  fully  known  than  it  had  been  beforo,  to 
give  further  information,  and  encourage  able  bodied  men 
to  enlist  into  the  service.  Men  of  influence  were  appoint- 
ed in  every  county  to  beat  up  for  volunteers.  The  assem- 
bly wished  the  governor  and  committee  of  war  to  forward 
the  expedition  with  the  utmost  dispatch.  They  were  au- 
thorised to  draw  on  the  treasury  iox  such  sum  or  sums  as 
should  be  found  necessary  for  the  service. 

At  the  same  assembly  an  act  was  passed,  that  a  sloop  of 
war  of  eighty  or  an  hundred  tons  should  be  provided  for 
the  defence  of  their  seamen  and  the  coast.  At  the  ses- 
sion in  May  preceding,  and  this  session,  bills  were  emitted 
to  supply  the  exigencies  of  the  colony,  to  the  amount  of 
45,000  pounds ;  30,000  pounds  in  May,  and  15,000  pounds 
^t  this  time.  .      v 


jiap«  iX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


007 


January 


The  ministry  in  Great-Britain  made  ihc  utmost  excr-  Book  II. 
iinns  to  make  cfTcctual  provision  of  all  articles  necessary  s^^-v^^w/ 
for  the  success  of  the  expediiion.     The  armament  sailfd    1740. 
lor  the  Wesf-lndies  in  October,  tmder  the  command  of 
lord  Cathcart,  a  nobleman  of  great  popularity  and  distin- 
guished abilities,  convoyed  by  twenty-live  ships  of  the  line, 
tesides  frigates,  fire  ships,  bomb  ketches  and  tenders,  com- 
manded by  Sir  Choloner  Ogle.     A  B/ilish  historian  says, 
•they  were  likewise  furnished  with  hospital  ships,  and 
{tore  ships,  loaded  with  provisions,  ammunition,  all  sorts  of 
Karlike  implements,  anu  every  kind  of  convenience.      In 
)  word,  the  ministry  exerted  their  utmost  endeavours  to 
render  the  armament  as  complete  as  possible  ;  and  never 
liad  the  nation  more  reason  to  hope  ibr  success  from  any 
undertaking."      When   this  armament  and  vice-admiral 
Vernon  formed  a  junction  at  Jamaica,  the  whole  fleet  con-  sih. 
jisted  of  tWenty-aine  shins  of  the  line,  with  nearly  the  same 
number  of  frigates,  (ire  ships  and  bomb  ketches,  well  man- 
ned, and  plentifully  supplied  with  all  kinds  of  provisions, 
stores  ana  necessaries.     The  number  of  seamen  amounted 
la  fifteen  thousand  :  the  land  forces,  including  the  four  re- 
jrjments  from  the  American  colonies,  were  not  less  than 
uvelve  thousand.     In  the  November  preceding  this  junc- 
tioii,  admiral  Vernon  had  taken  and  plundered  Porto  Bel- 
lo,  on  the  Isthmus  of  Darien,  and  demolished  its  fortiftca- 
tions ;  and  notv  he  found  himself  at  the  head  of  the  most 
formidable  fleet  and  army  ever  sent  into  those  seas.     The 
nation  had  great  expectations  from  him  ;    but  they  were 
I  miserably  disappointed.  Lord  Cathcart  died  in  the  West- 
Indies  before  the  complete  junction  of  the  fleets.      This 
probably  gave  a  fatal  blow  to  the  success  of  the  expedi- 
tion.   The  chief  command  of  the  army  now  devolved  on 
general  Wentworth,  who  was  not  equal  to  the  command  of 
such  an  army.     Vernon  was  a  man  of  uncommon  prejudic- 
es and  very  much  governed  by  his  passions,  and  an  invet- 
erate hatred  of  France  was  said  to  be  his  ruling  passion. 
Under  the  influence  of  this  he  used  his  exertions  and  au- 
thority to  obtain  the  consent  of  a  council  of  war  to  beat  up 
against  the  wind  to  Hispaniola,  with  the  view  of  fi^illing  in 
with  a  French  squadron  commanded  by  the  Marquis  d'Au- 
(in,  which  had  been  dispatched  from  France  to  reinforce 
the  Spaniards.     It  happened  that  the  French  admiral  be- 
fore his  arrival  had  sailed  for  Europe.     Disappointed  in 
this  quarter,  it  was  determined  td  make  an  attempt  upon 
Carthagena.     It  was  about  the  tenth  of  March  when  they 
tommenced  their  operations  against  the  enemy.      Two 
months  time  hatl  been  lost,  and  by  this  time  the  garrison 


Hi 


i^'W 


3«U 


InstORY  OF 


ftAr.  IX, 


I II /VP. 


IX. 


1711, 


BcMJK  II.  had  l»r^n  rcinforcrd  by  the  Frcnrh,  so  lliat  it  amounted  to 
lour  llioiisund  inon.  The  fori iticat ions  had  alho  bttn  in. 
rrrascd  and  str»^n^thrnpd.  AdmimI  Vernon  and  ^onrml 
Wriitw«)rdi,  iioverlheless  attacked  lh<*  town,  ai\dcarri«'d  oi. 
their  (ippratious  against  it  from  the  10th  of  March  till  (he 
l»ri;iniiini;  (d"  April.  Thry  drmoiished  the  strong  fortsaml 
ca.stlcH  in  the  harbor,  and  the  admiral  forcetl  his  way  into 
it.  An  attack  was  made  by  Wentworlh  upon  the  town, 
but  ihotrooiis  were  oblip'd  to  retire  with  the  k>ss  of  four 
or  five  hundred  men.  In  the  ctnirse  of  the  expedition,  they 
destroyed  six  Spanish  men  of  war,  eight  galleons  and  som« 
smaller  ships.  In  July  they  made  an  attempt  upon  the  is! 
and  of  ('tiba.  They  possessed  themselves  ot  a  fine  har- 
bor, but  by  reason  of  an  extraordinary  sickness  and  mor- 
tality, they  were  not  able  to  eflect  any  thing  of  consc- 
«|uence. 

According  to  the  accounts  given  of  the  sickness,  it  was 
jicarly  as  mortal  as  the  plague.  More  than  a  thousand 
men  died  in  a  day  for  several  days.*  Of  nearly  one  thou- 
sand men  from  New-England,  not  one  hundred  returned. 
Of  five  hundred  from  Massachusetts,  fifty  only  returned. 

The  Spaniards  laid  claim  to  the  American  seas,  and  in- 
terrupted the  trade  between  Great  Britain  and  her  colonics. 
This  was  one  occasion  of  the  war  ;  and  the  parliament  pe- 
titioned his  ^jesty  never  to  make  peace  with  Spain  until 
.she  should  renounce  that  claim.  She  had  been  a  bad 
neighbor,  especially  to  the  southern  colonies,  in  time  ol 
peace  ;  and  as  it  was  expected  that  she  would  be  a  much 
worse  one  in  time  of  war,  governor  Oglethorpe,  of  Geor- 
gia, having  at  the  commejicement  of  the  war  received  a 
general's  command,  undertook  an  expedition  against  the 
t'loridas.  Assisted  by  Virgiiiia  and  the  Carolioas,  he 
raised  an  army  of  more  than  two  thousand  men,  consisting 
of  regular  troops,  provincials  and  Indian  allies.  Me  suc- 
ceeded in  reducing  two  Spanish  forts,  Diego  and  Moosa. 
St.  Augustine  was  cannonaded  and  bombarded  for  some 
considerable  time ;  but  after  all  his  exertions,  he  was,  for 
want  of  a  sufficient  naval  force,  obliged  to  raise  the  siege,, 
and  the  expedition  miscarried. 

Invasion  of     '"  ^^'^^'  ^^^  Spaniards,  in  their  turn,  invaded  Georgia. 

Georgia.  Don  Manuel  de  Monteano,  about  the  last  of  June,  with  a 
formidable  armament,  came  to  anchor  off  Simons*  bar. 
His  fleet  consisted  of  thirty  two  sail,  on  board  of  which 
were  more  than  three  thousand  men.  The  utmost  exer- 
tions were  made  by  general  Oglethorpe  to  prevent  their 

*■  In  the  term  of  two  days  only,  when  the  mortality  was  the  greatcit, 
thetfe  died  three  thousand  iour  hundred  and  foj^ty  men.^ 


t'xpodi- 
tioii  a- 
painst  (he 
Fluridas. 


t 


^.tiling  by  for 
(ii  II |)  the  vv 
uiliery  of  tw^ 
,|y  tl.ifi;,  threa 
lieorgiu  anil  i 
dismay.     Ge 
my  means  tc 
niost  he  ( (iul( 
oiv'S,  to  act  ( 
retarding  the 
be  reinforced 
ill  their  motir 
(ompanied  b 
,111(1  harassed 
f(l  to  advance 
thickets,  and 
landers,  who 
ly  convenient 
attempt.     Th< 
lurtune  to  mak 
iircnt  was  jus 
I  and  returned 
i)t' importance 
Though  the 
I  \Tere  constant 
war.     It  had  b 
war  with  Spair 
I  cording  to  the 
!744,  shepro( 
I  same  month,  p 
It  was  known 
between  the  tw 
from  Louisburj 
He  also  made 
had  been  reinf 
expectations  ^ 
thus  attacking  ( 
men  of  war  ca] 
into  Louisburj 
on  the  coast,  i 
lishery.     The 
voyages  for  th 
ceived  that  no 
out  a  convoy. 

This  was  so  j 
people,  that  it 
mi>st  b^  tak^a. 


tH/VP- 


IX. 


coNNKCTicrr. 


'X9 


eorgia. 

with  a 
ns'  bar. 
)f  which 
st  exer- 
nt  their 

)  greatest* 


ITU 


vulin^by  fort  Simons.  The  rnrmv.  notivilhstnmling  ■>il-  Book  II. 
fd  (i|>  ihc  rivrr  Altamaha,  Inmird  thoir  iroops,  rmrnl  a 
uitury  of  iwrnty  ciikjhtcfn  pounders,  and  hoisfinj^  thr  Moo- 
dy Ha};;,  thr<'at»'r»cd  the  counli-y  with  a  gmiTal  tlrstriirtion. 
(Jeorgiaaiid  tho  C'.irolinas  wore  fillrd  uilh  troniblinj;  and 
ilisrnay.  (icncral  Oglethorpe  had  no  lorce  sufliriont  by 
,nv  means  to  meet  the  en(  my.  lie  peireivt'd  that  the 
niilst  he  (diihl  ell'ect,  was  by  vit,'ilant  and  vijjorous  mea- 
ar*'S,  to  act  on  the  delensivf  .  ,md  to  adopt  all  moans  of 
retarding;  the  enemy,  and  of  gainin;^  lime,  until  he  should 
be  reinlurced  froni  the  Carolinas.  The  general  watched 
ill  their  motions  by  nit^ht  and  day.  The  Indian  allies,  ar- 
lompanied  by  his  hit^hlanders,  ranged  through  the  woods 
,111(1  harassed  their  out  posts.  When  the  enemy  attempt- 
ed (0  advance,  they  were  so  impeded  by  morasses  and 
thickets,  and  by  the  furious  attacks  of  the  Indians  and  high- 
lundors,  wholaid  wait  for  them  and  harassed  them  in  eve- 
ry convenient  place,  that  they  were  driven  back  in  every 
:tttempt.  The  general  at  last,  by  a  stratagem,  had  the  good 
lorlune  to  make  the  enemy  believe  that  a  great  reinforcr- 
iKCiU  was  just  at  hand,  and  they  decamped,  in  a  panick, 
and  roturned  to  St.  Augustine,  without  cilccting  any  thing 
of  importance. 

Though  the  French  made  professions  of  peace,  yet  they  Fimch 
were  constantly  assisting  the  Spaniards  and  preparing  for  ''^"f  f"^* 
ar.     It  had  been  expected  from  the  commencement  of  the  March  ' 
war  with  Spain,  that  France  would  unite  with  her :  andac-4ih,  I74«i. 
rording  to  the  general  expectation,  on  the  4lh  of  March, 
1744,  she  proclaimed  Avar  against  England.     England,  the 
same  montn,  proclaimed  war  against  France.     But  before 
II  was  known  in  New-England  that  war  was  proclaimed 
between  the  two  nations,  Duvivoir  fitted  out  an  expedition 
from  Louisburg,  and  on  the  13th  of  May,  surprised  Canso.  Canso  ta- 
He  also  made  an  attempt  upon  Annapolis,  but  this  post  k^"?  -^"V 
had  been  reinforced  by  the  Massachusetts  people,  and  his  ' 
expectations  were  disappointed.     While  the  French  were 
ihus  attacking  our  settlements  by  land,  their  privateers  and 
men  of  war  captured  many  of  our  vessefe,  and  carried  them 
into  Louisburg.     The  French  cruisers  were  so  numerous 
on  the  coast,  that  it  became  dangerous  to  prosecute  the 
tishery.     The  fishermen  determined  to  give  up  the  fi-ihing 
voyages  for  the  ensuing  summer.     It  was  generally  con- 
ceived that  no  maritime  business  could  be  carried  on  with- 
out a  convoy. 

This  was  so  grievous  and  wounding  to  the  New-England 
people,  that  it  became  the  general  voice  that  Louisburg 
»ii>st  b^  tak^u.     It  was  ngt  ho\\  qver  thq  opinion  of  any  tljart 


ijtii. 


270 


HISTOkY  OF 


Chap.  IX 


fl 


Boor  II.  (hr  colonics  could  cfTect  it  without  ansiMancc  from  Knf^latKl 
\^'\r^^  It  WHS  the  gciifTdl  opinion  that  application  mu»t  br  niiitlr 
to  his  majoiity,  both  for  a  naval  and  land  forrc,  to  carry  ii 
into  t'xorution.  As  winter  approached,  it  began  to  l)o  su^. 
gestj'd  that  the  place  inij^hl  probably  l)C  taken  by  surnrisf. 
It  became  the  gonrnd  opinion  that  if  the  fortress  could  not 
be  taken  by  surprise,  that  the  provisions  for  the  Kftrrison 
were  so  scant  that  it  would  be  im|>ossible  for  it  to  stand  a 
Hiege,  until  ihc  usual  time  of  the  arrival  of  supplies  from 
France.  It  waii  also  said,  that  a  naval  force  might  be  ob- 
tained  to  cruise  oft'  the  harbor,  sullicicnlto  prevent  the  en- 
trance of  any  vessels  which  might  by  chan<  6  arrive. 

While  this  was  the  conversation  a frroad,  governor  Shir- 
ley,  who  then  had  the  chief  commai  d  in  Massachusc (is, 
made  the  mostililii^entemmiry  of  lliose  who  had  been  trad- 
ers  and  prisoners  nt  Louisourg,  concerning  (lie  state  of  ihf; 
fortress,  the  usual  time  of  the  arrival  of  supplies  from 
Franco,  the  practicability  of  cruising  before  the  harbor, 
and  whatever  else  might  be  necessary  for  the  fullest  infor- 
mation relating  to  the  affair. 

He  had  before  this  time  written  to  the  ministry,  repre- 
senting the  necessity  of  a  naval  force  early  in  the  sprint;, 
for  the  preservation  of  Annapolis.  He  hoped  that  if  this 
should  arrive,  the  conimafnder  would  be  willing  to  cover 
the  pfovinciai  troops^  Commodore  Warrcii  was  cruisinj^ 
with  a  number  of  snips  in  (he  West-Indies.  It  was  ima>(- 
ined  probable  that,  when  he  should  be  acquainted  with  the 
expedition,  he  would  either  come  with  his  whole  force,  or 
at  least,  would  send  part  of  it  to  the  assistance  of  the  colo- 
,  flies.  These  were  no  more  than  probable  conjectures, 
and  yet  these  were  all  the  chances  which  the  colonies  had 
of  a  naval  force  in  the  spring,  sufficient  tor  cope  with  a  sin- 
gle ship  which  might  arri»e  at  Louisburg.  Though  the 
ministry  would  be  immediately  acquainted  with  the  expedi- 
tion, by  express,  yet  the  distance  between  Europe  and 
America  was  so  grcitt,  that  no  timely  assistance  could  be 
expected. 
Planofjhe  The  plan  of  the  expedition  was,  that  four  thousand 
expedition  troops  in  small  transports  should  proceed  to  Canso  :  and 
Loulsbuf .  °"  ^^^  ^""^^  favorable  opportunity,  be  landed  in  Chapeau- 
^  rouge  bay.  Tliey  wererto  be  furnished  with  cannon,  mor- 
tars, ammunition,  and  all  necessaries  effectually  to  carry 
on  the  siege.  To  prevent  the  arrival  of  provisions  and 
stores  for  the  enemy,  a  number  of  vessels^  as  soon  as  the 
season  would  permit,  were  to  be  dispatched  to  cruise  be- 
fore the  harbor  of  Louisburg.  An  estimate  was  made  of 
all  the  naval  force  which  the  .  olonies  could  muster.    The 


MAP 


.IX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


171 


,r M':*l  f^hip  ivlurh  they  could  t'im>l«»y  mounted  twenty  gtms  Book  If. 

Illy,  The  whole  numlwr  of  annt'd  vt-sM'U  Oid  not  ex- v^"V'^^ 
r(od  ten  or  twelve.  With  this  laiul  ami  sea  forto,  it  was  l?i;». 
„i  I  tlicrc  wuM  a  good  chance  ot  huccoai.  it,  ui^rrcably  to 
ill,  ir  expectations,  the  nu  n  oi'  war  ishould  arrive,  it  wan  in- 
,i,U'd  that  th(  re  was  every  imaginable  reason  to  rxpecl 
the  reduction  of  the  place.  The  whole  aH'air  wan  bo  prov- 
idential and  extraoi'dinar\',  that  ft  mcni8  a  particular  rc- 
lalion. 

In  (he  beginning  of  January,  when  the  general  court  of 
Massachusetts  was  sitting  at  lioston,  governor  Shirley  com* 
inunicated  the  plan  of  the  expedition  to  both  houses,  who 
had  previously  bound  themselves  to  secrecy.     Some  of  the 
nemDcrs,  who  had  heard  little  conversation  on  the  siibject, 
Verc  struck  with  amazement  at  the  bare  proposal.     Tiiey 
imagined  that  it  was  an  cn^crprize  by  far  too  great,  even 
if  there  were  a  fair  prospect  of  success.     They  were  ap- 
prehensive that  it  woulu  create  an   expense  whit  h  might. 
luin  the  country.     The  scheme  appeared  wild  and  extrav- 
agant, yet,  in  deference  to  the  governor's  recommendation, 
a  committee  of  both  houses  was  appointed  to  take  the  pro- 
jiosal  intoronsidcration.     For  several  days  it  was  delibe- 
rated with  great  attention.     By  those  who  were  for  the  ex-  J^*^',',''^*,, 
pedition,  it  was  insisted  that  if  Louisburg  should  be  sufTer-  pect  to  tha 
ed  to  coiitinue  in  the  hands  of  the  French,  it  would  infalli-  cxiwditioa 
bly  prove  the  Dunkirk  of  New-England,     That  the  French 
trade  had  always  been  inconsiderable  ;  that  their  fishery 
iras  on  the  decline,  and  that  for  several  years  they  had 
bought  fish  cheaper  at  Canso,  than  they  could  catch  an4 
cure  them :  and  that  by  privateeriivg,  they  might  enrich 
themselves  with  the  spoils  of  New-England,     ft  was  also 
urged,  that  in  addition  to  these  dangers,  there  was  that  of 
losing  Nova-Scotia,  which  would  instantly  cause  an  in- 
crease of  six  or  eight  thousand  enemies.     It  was  further 
pleaded,  that  the  garrison  at  Louisburg  were  disaffected, 
that  provisions  were  scarce,  the  works  mouldering  and  de- 
cayed, and  the  governor  an  old  man,  unskilled  in  the  arts 
of  war,  and  that  now  was  the  only  time  for  success.     Fur- 
ther it  was  said,  Louisburg  in  another  year,  would  be  so 
fortified,  as  to  become  impregnable :  That  there  was  no. 
danger  from  any  force  already  there,  and  before  any  could 
arrive  from  France,  the  garrison  would  be  forced  to  sur- 
render :  That  there  was  no  danger  of -the  arrival  of  any- 
capital  ship  from  France,   so  early  in  the  year :  That  if 
one  should  arrive,  five  or  six  of  oiu'  amall  ones  might  be  a 
match  for  her.     But  it  was  said,  that  there  was  a  much 
greater  probal^ility  of  the  arrival  of  men  of  war  from  Kng-^ 


ii:i>i.t-> 


$72 


HISTORY  or 


hi" 


Chap.  IX.  ■  (  „ap.  IX. 


Book  II.  laii(i,  or  llio  Wcst-Indirs,  at  an  earlier  ])erio<]  than  of  any 
y*"^"v''>^  from  France.  It  was  observed,  that  there  was  always  un- 
1746.  certainty  in  war,  and  that  if  we  were  disappointed,  wo 
were  able  to  bear  it:  Tiiat  if  we  succeeded,  theconse- 
ciiienccs  would  be  glorious  indeed.  The  coasts  of  New- 
England  would  not  only  be  preserved  from  molestation  and 
plunder,  but  peace  might  be  given  to  Europe.  It  was  also 
pleaded,  that  Great  BriLiin  in  case  of  success,  would  reim- 
burse the  whole  expense. 

To  this  it  was  replied  by  others,  that  we  had  better  suffer 
in  our  trade,  than  by  such  an  expensive  measure,  to  deprive 
ourselves  of  the  means  of  it,  for  the"  future  :  Tha  we  coulf] 
annoy  the  enemy  in  their  fishery,  as  much  as  they  could 
us  in  otirs  :  That  both  parties  would  soon  be  willing  to 
leave  the  fishery  without  moleotation :  That  the  accounts 
given  of  the  works  and  garrison  at  Louisburg,  could  not  bo 
depended  on :  that  the  garrison  at  Louisburg  were  rcf^ii- 
lar  troops,  who,  though  unequal  in  numbers,  would,  in  ihn 
field,  be  more  than  a  match  for  all  the  raw  inexperience'l 
militia  which  could  be  sent  from  New-England :  that  it 
was  so  diflicult  at  that  season  of  the  year  for  vessels  to 
keep  their  station,  and  the  weather  was  frequently  so  thick, 
that  twenty  cruizers  could  not  prevent  supplies  from  goinc 
into  the  harbour  of  Louisburg.  Further,  it  was  observecJ, 
that  there  was  no  sufficient  ground  tc  expect  any  men  of  war 
from  England  or  the  West-Indies,  to  cover  our  troops  :  that 
if  one  sixty  gun  ship  should  arrive  from  France,  or  the 
French  islands,  she  would  be  more  than  a  match  for  all  the 
vessels  which  the  colonies  could  provide  :  that  our  trans- 
ports in  Chapeaurouge  bay  would  all  be  destroyed,  and  the 
army  on  Capp  Breton  would  be  obliged  to  srTender  to 
the  mercy  of  the  French :  that  the  colonies  would  be  con- 
demned by  the  British  court  for  engaging  in  such  an  en- 
terprize  without  their  knowledge  or  approbation;  and 
that  they  would  be  unpitied  in  their  misfortunes,  as  they 
would  be  the  natural  eflfects  of  their  own  wild  and  rash 
measures.  To  these  arguments  it  was  further  added  that 
there  was  no  certainty  that  such  a  number  of  men  as  had 
been  proposed,  could  be  raised,  or  that  provisions,  artille- 
ry, military  stores,  and  transports  sufficient  for  the  expe- 
dition, could  be  obtained :  that  the  season  of  the  year  was 
a  great  discouragement,  as  in  the  winter  it  frequently  hap- 
pened, for  many  days  together,  that  no  business  could  be 
done  abroad  ;  and  that  though  bills  of  public  credit  should 
be  emitted  to  carry  the  expedition  into  effect,  yet  they 
would  depreciate  to  a  very  great  degree,  probably  nearly 
in  proportion  to  their  whole  amount.  Finally,  it  was  urged 


Chap.  IX.  ■  Ciap.  IX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


27i 


that  if  the  expedition  should  succeed,  it  would  be  a  nolion- 
al  benefit,  in  which  the  colonies  would  have  no  share,  iit 
anynnc  ure  proportionate  to  the  expense  of  the  Mood  and 
irtasure  which  it  might  cost  them  :  and  that,  if  it  should 
prove  unsuccessful,  it  would  give  the  country  such  a 
jhock,  that  it  would  not  recover  its  present  state  in  half  a 
(■entury. 

On  mature  deliberation,  the  arguments  against  the  cx- 
]if(Jition,  in  the  view  of  the  house,  preponderated,  and  the 
committee  reported  against  the  expedition.  The  house* 
accppted  the  report ;  and,  for  some  days,  the  members 
laid  aside  all  thoughts  of  the  enterprise. 

Though  the  governor  aitlently  wished  that  this  proposal 
might  have  been  adopted  by  the  court,  yet  he  judged  it 
ineipcdient  to  urge  the  aflair  any  further,  by  message,  or 
by  private  influence  with  the  members.  He  adopted  a 
measure  more  prudent  and  influential ;  by  forwarding  % 
pftition  from  the  merchants  and  men  of  influence,  in  the 
rnlony,  to  the  general  court,  on  the  subject.  This,  for 
reasons  therein  expressed,  and  especially,  for  the  preser- 
vation of  the  fishery  from  ruin,  prayed  that  the  houses 
would  reconsider  their  vote,  and  comply  with  the  gover- 
nor's proposal.  This  produced  another  committee,  Avho 
•eported  in  favour  of  the  expedition.  After  a  whole  day's 
debate  on  the  subject,  a  majority  of  one  voice  was  obtain- 
ed to  undertake  the  expedition.  The  whole  aflair  was  de- 
liltcrated  with  the  utmost  calmness  and  moderation.  There 
appeared  no  other  division,  than  what  resulted  from  a  real 
difference  in  opinion,  with  respect  to  the  true  interests  of 
the  province  and  nation. 

No  sooner  was  the  great  point  determined  than  there 
was  an  immediate  union  in  the  measures  necessary  to  carry 
the  expedition  into  the  most  effectual  execution.  Dispatch- 
es were  immediately  sent  to  the  neighbouring  colonies, 
urging  them  to  join  and  assist  in  the  expedition.  None, 
however,  would  join  in  the  enterprise,  but  those  of  New- 
Eiidand.  An  embargo  was  laid  on  all  the  shipping  in  the 
harbours.  The  proportion  of  men  in  the  colonies,  as  pro- 
posed in  the  general  plan,  was,  for  Massachusetts,  three 
thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  ;  for  Connecticut,  five 
hundred;  and  Rhode-Island  and  New-Hampshire,  three 
hundred  each. 

On  the  26th  of  February,  governor  Law  convened  a 
fppcial  assembly  at  Hartford,  in  consequence  of  letters  re- 
ceived from  governor  Shirley  and  the  general  court  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, relative  to  the  expedition.  No  sooner  were 
the  letters  communicated  to  the  assembly,  than  live  hun- 

K2 


The  e*ff 
diticn  a- 
gaiastt 
Cape  Bre- 
ton resol- 
ved upon, 
by  the  j^en- 
eral  court 
of  Massa- 
chusetts, 
1745. 


Special  as- 
sembly in 
Connecti- 
cut, Feb. 


li  il 


274 


IlISTaUV  OF 


Chap.  IX,  I  fHAk'. IX. 


,jir 


V 

w 

;^.: 

Sffi 

f^i' 

-t^ 

^;1 

^ir:iJ< 

ip' 

•Si 

4i 


J3noK  II.  «lrc(l  i'l'lc  bodictl  men  were  voted  for  luc  scmcc.    For 
^.^-^^^s^  the  encouragement  of  the  men  to  enlist,  a  bounty  of  tct 
J 745,     pounds  was  granted  to  each  soldier,  who  should  furnish 
himself  with  arms,  knapsack  and  blanket ;  and  three  pounds 
to  every  soldier  who  should  not  be  able  to  arm  himsoli. 
The  assenibly  resolved  that  the  pav  of  the  soldiers  should 
be  eight  ])ounds   per  month,  and  that  one  month's  pay 
i,liould  be  made  to  them  before  their  embarkation.     It  was 
provided,  that  they  should  be  under  the  command  of  iheii 
own  ofllcers,  so  far  as  the  general  service  would  permit  • 
That,  as  soon  as  the  expedition  should  terminate,  they 
should  be  brought  immediately  back  to  New-London,  the 
port  where  they  were  to  embark,  unless  they  should  volun- 
tarily enlist  for  further  service ;  and  that  they  should  bf» 
exempted  from  all  impresses,  for  the  term  of  two  years,  al- 
ter their  discharge  from  the  expedition.     The  five  hundred 
men  were  divided  into  eight  companies.*     Roger  Wolcoli, 
Esq.  lieutenant-governor,  was  appointed  commander  in 
chief  of  the  Connecticut  troops  ;  major  Andrew  Burr,  was 
appointed  colonel;    Simon  Lathrop,  lifeutenant-colonel : 
and  captain  Israel  Newton,  major  of  the  regiment.     It  was 
resolved,  that  the  colony  sloop,  Defence,  should  be  com- 
pletely furnished,  and  sail  as  a  convoy  of  the  troops  to 
Cape  Breton :  That  the  troops  should  embark  at  New- 
London,  and  sail  immediately,  to  form  a  junction  with  thf- 
'roojjs  of  the  other  colonies,  at  the  place  of  their  destina- 
tion :  That  provisions  and  stores,  of  all  kinds  necessary 
for  the  expedition,  should  be  provided.    Commissions^ 
were  ap[)ointed  immediately,  to  purchase  provisions,  pro- 
cure transports,  and  to  forward  the  expedition  with  thi: 
utmost  dispatch.  Jonathan  Trt>mbull  and  Elisha  Williams, 
Esq'rs.  were  appointed  commissioners,  with  full  powers, 
to  repair  to  Boston,  and  to  treat  with  such  gentlemen  from 
Massachusetts,  and  the  other  colonies,  as  should  be  ap- 
pointed for  the  same  purpose,  relative  to  all  matters  con- 
cerning the  expedition.     The  whole  business  respecting 
the  expedition  was  finished  in  three  days,  and  the  assem- 
bly adjourned  until  the  14th  of  March. 

The  time  of  preparation  for  such  an  expedition  was 
short ;  but,  from  the  day  it  was  determined  upon,  every 
circumstance  so  remarkably  contributed  to  its  success,  that 
a  divine  Providence  seemed  every  where  to  watch  over  ii 
for  good.  The  winter  v.as  so  clement  and  favourable, 
that  business  could  be  done  as  well  abroad,  and  nearly 
with  the  same  dispatch,  as  at  other  seasons.    Colonel  Pep- 

*  Five  captains,  Elizur  Goodrich,  David  Wooster,  Stephen  Lee,  Samnr' 
Adutns,  and  John  Dwigbt,  only,,  were  appointed  at  this  seisiod. 


CuKP.  IX,  ■  Chap.  IX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


373 


ncrcll  was  appointed  commandrr  in  chief.     He  was  a  f;en-  Book  II. 
ilcmanof  a  grral  I?  Jed  interest,  and  largely  employed  in  v-^^v"^*./ 
fommerce.     Hr    gnd   governor  Wolcott,  the  second  in    17'IJ*. 
rommand,  we  j  popular  men.     Their  popularity,  and  the 
sacrifices  wl.ich  they  made  of  case  and  interest,  had  great 
itijlucncf;  on  inferior  officers  and  private  soldiers,  ibr  a 
season,  to  sacrifice  domestic  ease  and  their  private  inte- 
rests, to  the  more  important  qoncerns  of  the  public.  Many 
of  the  common  soldiers  were  freeholders,  and  others  the 
<ons  of  wealthy  farmers,  who  could  have  no  other  view  in 
:heir  enlistment  than  the  public  welfare. 

It  was  soon  found,  that  it  would  be  next  to  impossible  to 
.  ioihe  and  victual  the  men,  and  to  obtain  the  warlike  stores 
necessary  for  the  expedition.  Cormnittces  of  war  were 
wthorised  to  enter  houses,  cellars,  and  all  places,  where 
these  articles  were,  and  to  take  them  for  the  use  of  the 
jrmy.  During  the  preparation,  many  vessels  unexpect- 
edly arrived,  with  more  or  less  of  the  very  articles  which 
the  country  wanted ;  and  such  was  the  general  zeal  and 
union,  that  the  people  submitted  to  any  measures  which 
appeared  necessary  for  the  general  good.  The  chief  men 
ill  the  New-England  governments  appeared  willing  to  run 
i\\  risks,  and  to  be  at  any  expense,  to  accomplish  the  cn- 
erprise  in  view. 

All  the  shipping  which  was  employed  in  the  service 
ivas  insui-ed  by  government.  None  could  be  engaged  on 
I  any  ot'aer  condition.  The  whole  naval  force  which  New- 
England  could  then  furnish,  consisted  of  twelve  ships  and 
vessels  only.  These  were  the  Connecticut  and  the  Rhode- 
Island  sloops  of  war ;  a  privateer  ship,  of  about  two  hun- 
dred tons ;  a  snow,  of  less  burthen,  belonging  to  Newport ; 
a  new  snow,  captain  Rouse ;  a  ship,  captain  Snelling ;  a 
fnow,  captain  Smethhurst ;  a  brig,  captain  Fletcher ;  three 
sloops,  captains  Saunders,  Donehew,  and  Bosch ;  and  a 
ship  of  twenty  guns,  captain  Ting,  Ting  was  commodore, 
and  commanded  the  whole.  Several  of  these  vessels  sail- 
ed as  early  as  the  middle  of  March,  to  cruise  off  the  har- 
bour of  Louisburg.  As  a  sufficient  artillery  could  not  be 
obtained  in  New-England,  governor  Shirley,  with  much 
difficulty,  procured,  on  loan,  ten  eighteen  pounders  from 
New-York. 

The  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut  convened  on  the  General 
14th  of  March,  according  to  adjournment.     They  com-  Assembly 
pleted  the  appointment  of  all  the  officers.     As  two  of  the  ne^("",^f^ 
live  captains  appear  to  have  failed,  two  other  captains  March  ' 
were  now  appointed  to  fill  the  regiment.*    The  Rev.  Eli-  t4th. 

*  The  captains  at  this  time  appointed,  w«.  re  James  Church,  Daniel 
Chapman,  Wiltiam  Whiting,  Robert  Dennjson  antj  Andrew  vVard, 


576 


HLSTORY  OP 


Ciur.  IX.  I  Chap.  IX. 


1', 

H<. 


ii 


i 

Mardi 
24th,  the 
armamcut 

t^^  ;! 

41^Si^' 

^qnfji 

i, 

April  4th, 
arrives  at 
C'anso. 

1 

mm-' 

1 

Book  II.  sha  Willinms,  who  had  been  rector  of  Yale  College,  nan 

s^^^^'^,^  appointed  tha[tlain    to  the  regiment  from   Connecticut. 

1743.     The  assembly  appointed  the  last  Wednesday  in  April  to 

be  observed  as  a  <lay  of  fastinjij  and  pniyer,  to  implore  the 

divine  bles'Ing  upon  the  expedition. 

In  two  months,  nnder  all  the  existing  diflTicuUies,  this 
army  was  enlisted,  clothed,  victualled  and  e(juipped  for  ser- 
vice. By  the  23d  of  March,  the  troops  of  Massachusetts 
were  all  embarked,  and  the  fleet  was  ready  to  sad.  The 
same  day  an  express  boat  which  had  been  sent  to  romtno- 
dore  Warren  in  the  West-Indies,  arrivi.d  with  advice  from 
him,  that  as  die  expedition  was  wholly  a  colonial  affair, 
without  oi-dei-s  from  England,  and  as  his  squadron  had 
been  weakened  by  the  loss  of  the  Weymouth,  he  must  ex- 
cuse himself  from  any  concern  in  the  enterprise.  Though 
this  must  have  given  great  uneasiness  to  the  governor  and 
general,  yet  they  suppressed  the  advice,  and  sailed  the 
next  morning  as  though  nothing  discouraging  had  happen- 
ed.  The  governor,  doubtless,  hoped  that  if^the  reduction 
of  Louisburg  should  not  be  effected,  Canso  might  be  re- 
gained, Nova-Scotia  preserved,  the  French  fishery  be  des- 
troyed, and  the  New-England  and  Newfoundland  fisheries 
be  restored.  The  troops  of  the  other  colonics  sailed  about 
the  same  time. 

On  the  4th  of  April,  the  fleet  and  army,  from  Massachu- 
setts, arrived  at  Canso.  The  troops  from  New- Hampshire, 
had  arrived  four  days  before  them.  On  the  25tb,  govern- 
or Wolcott  arrived  with  the  troops  from  Connecticut.  The 
land  army  now  consisted  of  more  than  four  thousand 
troops,  in  health  and  high  spirits. 

The  advice  from  commodore  Warren  was  truly  discour- 
aging ;  yet,  under  the  all  governing  hand  of  the  Supreme 
Ruler,  every  tiling  Avas  proceeding  in  the  happiest  train. 
Mad  every  thing  been  preconcerted  in  the  wisest  manner, 
it  could  not  have  been  better.  •  . 

Soon  after  the  sailing  of  the  express  boat  for  Boston, 
commodore  Warren  received  orders  from  England  to  re- 
})air  Avith  such  ships  as  could  be  spared  to  Boston,  and  io 
concert  measure  with  governor  Shirley,  for  his  majesty's 
general  service  m  America.  The  commodore  sailed  im- 
jnediately  for  Boston,  dispatching  an  express  to  such  ves- 
sels as  were  in  these  seas,  immediately  to  join  him.  The 
Eltham  of  forty  guns,  was  at  Portsmouth,  in  New-Hamp- 
shire, as  convoy  to  th*^  mast  fleet.  When  the  express  ar- 
rived, she  had  sailed  with  the  fleet,  but  was  soon  overta- 
ken by  an  express  boat.  The  captain  remanded  the  fleet 
into  port,  and  sailed  directly  for  Canso,     He  arrived  on 


I     ; 


Ciur.  IX.  I  Chap.  IX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


277 


the  Uvcniy  third  of  April,  lo  the  great  joy  of  the  army.  Book  II. 
(  ommotlore  Warren  receiving  inlelTigencc,  on  his  passage,  v-^^v^^i^ 
ihat  the  fleet  had  sailed  for  Canso,  proceeded  directly  to    iTl.'i. 
ihc  same  port,  where  he   arrived  the  same  day  with  the  Tlie  Kl- 
Eltham,  in  ihe  Superb  of  sixty  guns,  in  company  with  the  ''"""  |^"^ 
Laiiceston  and  Mennaid  of  forty  guns  each.     Higii  indeed  ^o^.  vv  ar- 
was  the  tide  of  joy  which  at  on(c  arose  throughout  the  rtimrrive 
whole  fleet  and  army.     They  had  now  a  sulficient  i.aval  ^^  ^■^"X! 
force  for  their  defence :  a  force  more  than  equal  to  any    ^'^^ 
which  was  expected  from  France.     After  a  slwrt  consulta- 
lion  with  the  general,  the  commodore,  with  his  men  of  war, 
sailed  to  cruise  before  Louisburg. 

Before  this  time,  the  ships  and  vessels  which  had  been 
5cnt  to  cruise  before  the  harbor,  had  done  very  impo;  tant 
services.  They  had  taken  several  vessels  bound  to  Louis- 
burg, with  provisions  and  West-India  goods.  They  had 
also  engaged  the  Rcnomjne,  a  French  ship,  of  thirty  six 
f[uns,  which  had  been  sent  with  dispatches  from  France. 
For  some  time,  she  kept  up  a  running  fire  with  the  small 
ships,  as  she  could  easily  out  sail  them  ;  but  after  making 
several  attempts  to  enter  the  harbor,  she  put  back  to 
France,  t5  relate  what  she  had  discoveied.  She  fell  in 
with  the  Connecticut  troops,  under  convpy  of  their  own, 
and  of  the  Rhode-Island  colony  sloop ;  and  notwithstand- 
ing she  had  force  sufficient  to  have  taken  them  both,  yet, 
after  exchanging  some  shot,  and  considerably  damaging 
ihe  Rhode-Islana  sloop,  she  made  off  for  France.  The 
fleet  and  army  soon  followed  the  men  of  war,  and  on  the 
30th  of  April,  arrived  in  Chapeaurouge  bay.  The  enemy 
had  not  received  the  least  intimation  of  any  design  against 
them,  till,  early  in  the  morning,  they  discovered  the  trans- 
ports from  the  town.  The  cruisers  had,  almost  every  day, 
been  seen  before  the  harbor,  but  the  enemy  imagined  that 
ihey  were  privateers,  in  quest  of  their  fishing  and  trading 
vessels. 

The  sight  of  the  transports  first  gave  the  alarm  to  tlic 
town.     Bouladrie  was  detached  with  an  hundred  and  fifty 
men  to  oppose  the  landing  of  the  troops^    But  while  the  Troop!« 
general  amused  the  enemy  by  a  feint,  at  one  place-  he  was  '*"'' 
landing  his  men  at  another.     Bouladrie,  with  his  detach- 
ment, soon  attacked  them,  but  as  many  of  his  men  were 
killed  on  the  spot,  himself  and  others  taken  prisoners,  tlu 
remainder  were  obliged  to  make  a  precipitate  flight,  to  pre- 
vent thei»  being  instantly  destroyed,  by   the  troops  who 
were  landing  in  great  numbers. 

The  next  morning,  four  hundred  men  marched  round 
behind  the  hills  to  the  north-east  harbor,  setting  fire  to  all 


278 


lilbTORY  OF 


m 


k:\ 


:■»•■■ 


,1^-' 
ii'      1 


11 


^M*P.  \X.      ■    ('flAl''  'X 


Bum  Jhp 
fVij.'irf-nt 
•  onulry. 


Pidicul- 

tus oi  the 


Book  IF.  thr  houses  and  slorcs,  in  their  way,  till  lI»oy  camo  uithin 
a  mile  of  the  gmnd  battery.  Such  a  cloud  of  smoke  arose 
as  made  it  (linicuU  to  discover  an  enemy  at  the  distance  ol 
a  few  rods  only.  The  enemy,  therefore,  expecting  th( 
whole  army  upon  them,  threw  their  powder  into  a  well 
and  deserted  the  grand  battery,  and  the  provincials  took 
possession  of  it  without  the  loss  of  a  man.  The  cannon, 
vhich  were  forty  two  pounders,  were  turned  upon  the 
town  ;  but  the  expense  of  powder  was  so  great,  that  it  was 
judged  best  to  cease  the  firing,  and  to  reserve  the  ammuni- 
tion for  the  fascine  batteries. 

It  was  soon  {found,  notwithstanding  the  remarkable  suc- 
cess which  had  thus  far  attended  the  enterprise,  that  the 
capture  of  the  town  would  be  a  work  of  uncommon  labor 
and  difficulty.  The  fortifications  were  almost  impregna- 
ble, and  the  approach  to  the  town  exceedingly  (Jifficult. 
The  army  had  nearly  two  miles  to  drag  their  caariou,  mor- 
tars, shot,  and  the  like,  through  a  morass,  in  which  oxen 
and  horses  would  bury  themselves  in  mud,  and  be  of  m, 
service.  This  was  lo  be  performed  by  mere  dint  of  manual 
labor.  Men  of  the  firmest  limbs,  and  who  had  been  ac- 
customed to  the  drawing  of  pine  trees  for  masts.,  were  ap- 
pointed to  this  service.  By  the  twentieth  of  May,  the 
troops  had  erected  five  fascine  batteries.  One  of  them 
mounted  five  forty-two  pounders.  This  did  great  execu- 
tion. 

The  Ncw-Englanders  knew  nothing  of  regular  approach- 
es, but  took  the  advantage  of  the  night  and  went  on  in 
their  own  way. 

While  the  troops  were  thus  busy  on  shore,  the  fleet  was 
equally  vigilant  and  active  in  cruising  off  the  harbor.  The 
V^igilant,  a  French  sixty-four  gun  ship,  was  met  by  the 
Mermaid,  whom  she  immediately  engaged  :  but  as  she  was 
of  inferior  force,  captain  Douglass  suffered  himself  to  be 
chased,  till  he  drew  the  Frenchman  under  the  command  of 
the  commodore,  and  the  other  ships,  on  which  she  struck 
to  the  British  flag :  She  was  commanded  by  the  Marquis 
de  la  Maison  Forte,  and  had  on  board  five  hundred  and 
sixty  mQji,  with  stores  of  all  kinds,  for  t^  t  garrison.  This 
capture  was  of  great  consequence,  not  only  as  it  increased 
the  naval  force  before  the  town,  and  afforded  considerable 
supplies  of  military  stores,  but  more  especially  as  it  was  a 
capital  loss  and  disappointment  to  the  enemy.  It  depriv- 
ed them  of  all  expectation  of  further  supplies  or  succour, 
and  tended  to  accelerate  the  capitulation. 

But  a  few  days  before  this  capture,  a  proposal  had  been 
made,  that  the  men  of  v/ar  should  anchor  in  Chapcaurougt 


('HAP.   IXi 


CONNECTICUT. 


»79 


f)ay,  nncJ  thai  the  marines,  and  as  many  of  the  (»aiIor4  as  Book  II. 
,  ould  be  spared,  should  land  and  assist  the  army.     Had  v^->r>^ 
rhis  been  done,  the  Vigilant  would  have  made  the  harbor, 
md  defeated  the  expedition.     Such  were  the  prodigious  la- 
U,rs  of  the  seige,  that  a  great  number  of  troops  were  want- 
ed ;  yet  their  numbers  were  constantly  diminishing,  by  the 
(xtraordinary  service.     This,  however,  was  in  some  mea- 
Mirc  counterbalanced,  by  the  continual  increase  of  the  na- 
val force  before  the  town.     Four  days  after  the  capture  of 
iho  Vigilant,  the  Princess- Mary,  of  sixty,  and  the  Hector,  of  jyjay  22(1, 
forty  guns,  arrived.     Soon  after,  arrived  the  Canterbury,  j^^^.  ,ot|, 
and  the  Sunderland,  of  sixty,  and  the  Chester  of  fifty  guns,  and  laUi, ' 
There  were  now  eleven  men  of  war ;  one  sixty-four,  four 
>ixty,  one  fifty,  and  five  forty  gun  ships.     Such  was  the 
naval  force,  it  was  determined  that  on  the   18th  of  June, 
I  he  ships  should  go  into  the  harbor,  and  co-operate  with 
the  army,  in  a  joint  attack  upon  the  town. 

Before  this,  the  island  battery  was  nearly  silenced,  and 
was  considered  as  not  long  tenable ;  the  west  gate  of  the 
iown  was  much  damaged  and  nearly  beat  down,  and  a 
breach  was  said  to  have  been  made  in  the  adjoining  wall. 
The  circuJar  battery  of  sixteen  guns,  and  the  principal  one 
against  ships,  was  nearly  ruined.  The  northeast  laattery 
was  much  damaged,  and  the  enemy  driven  from  the  guns. 
The  west  flank  of  the  king's  bastion  was  almost  demolish- 
ed. From  the  preparations  on  board  the  men  of  war,  the 
enemy  expected  a  general  and  furious  assault.  This  tlicy 
were  not  willing  to  risk. 

On  the  fifteenth  of  June,  they  therefore  desired  a  cessa- 
tion of  hostilities,  that  they  might  enter  on  the  considera- 
tion of  articles  of  capitulation.  On  the  seventeenth,  after 
a  siege  of  forty  nine  days,  the  city  of  Louisburg  and  island  Lc  isbur^ 
of  Cape  Breton,  were  delivered  up  to  his  Britannic  majcs-  j""^"f7,'j^ 
ly.  Neither  the  inhabitants  hot  the  garrison  were  to  bear 
iirms  against  Great  Britain  or  her  allies  in  twelve  months. 
The  captives  were  embarked  in  fourteen  ships,  and  trans- 
ported to  Rochefort. 

Nothing  could  have  been  moi  timely  rhan  this  capita- 
iation.  Notwithstanding  the  capture  of  the  Vigilant,  laden 
with  stores,  the  besiegers  were  in  want  of  powder  ♦,  and 
such  were  the  hardships  and  length  of  the  siege,  that  a 
greater  number  of  men  was  found  to  be  necessary.  The 
general  had  sent  off  dispatches  to  the  colonies  for  a  recruit 
of  men  and  ammunition.  The  colonies  sent  on  a  rein- 
forcement of  seven  or  eight  hundred  men,  with  all  the 
powder  they  could  purchase  :  but  the  recruit?  did  not  ar- 
ivo  until  after  the  place  wis  taken.     The  assembly  of  Ju^y^rf. 


'I 


J.  -t^ifJ 


m 
111 


IftO 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  IX.    ■    chap.  IN 


P:' 


\74r, 


Book  11.  ( 'oniicf  ticiif  was  convcnod  on  the  occasion,  and  voted  ir, 
ini'C  iliifo  hundrod  able  bmiicd  men,  to  ppinforcp  thr 
army,  f^iving  the  same  encouragements  which  they  had 
givn  to  the  other  troops. 

The  very  day  after  the  surrender,  the  rains  began,  ami 
continued  incessantly  for  ten  days.  These  must  have 
<;rcatly  impeded,  if  not  broken  up  the  siege.  They  niusi 
Juno  been  fatal  to  many  of  the  troops,  as  they  had  no  lict. 
tcr  lodgint^s  than  the  wet  groinid,  and,  as  their  tents,  gene- 
rally  made  of  common  Osnaburgs  only,  would  not  secure 
them  against  a  single  shower.  But,  by  this  opportune  .sur- 
render, Providence  housed  them  in  the  city,  in  dry  and 
conv^enient  barracks. 

During  this  long  and  severe  siege,  the  men  on  all  occa- 
sions, at  landing,  in  skirmishes  with  the  French  and  In- 
dians,  and  in  their  approaches  to  the  city,  behaved  well, 
(n  voluntarily  embarking  in  the  enterprise,  they  exhibited 
a  noble  spirit,  and  in  the  prosecution  of  it,  a  steadiness, 
]  perseverance  and  fortitude  which  before  had  never  had 
a  parallel  in  the  affairs  of  America.  So  remarkable  was 
the  hand  which  directed  them,  that  durii  g  this  long  and 
dangerous  siege,  the  whole  loss  by  sickness  and  the  ene- 
my was  no  more  than  one  hundred  and  one  ;  sixty  of  these 
were  lost  in  an  unfortunate  attack  on  the  island  battery. 

On  the  .3d  of  .July  the  news  of  this  important  acquisition 
arrived  at  Boston  and  instantly  flew  through  the  colonies. 
„  The  joy  which  it  diffused  was  great  and  universal.  Those 
arrives  in  colonics  which  had  no  share  in  the  honours  and  dangers 
of  the  enterprise,  were  noi  insensible  of  the  importance  of 
the  acquisition,  nor  that  they  were  deeply  interested  in  the 
event.  Pennsylvania,  therefore,  contributed  four;  New- 
Jersey,  two ;  and  New- York,  three  thousand  pounds,  in 
money  and  provisions,  for  the  support  of  the  troops. 

To  France,  Louisburg  was  a  place  of  capital  importance. 
It  had  been  fortified  with  prodigious  art  and  expense.  With 
jnoprioty  it  might  be  called  the  American  Gibraltar.  The 
I'ossc,  ordilch,  round  the  town,  was  eighty  feet  wide,  and 
the  ramparts  thirty  feet  high.  On  these,  round  the  town, 
were  mounted  sixty-five  cannon,  of  different  sizes.  The 
entrance  into  the  harbour,  was  defended  by  the  grand  bat- 
tery, and  the  island  battery.  On  the  former,  were  mounted 
thirty  cannon,  carrying  a  forty-two  pound  ball ;  and  on 
I'le  latter,  an  equal  number,  carrying  a  ball  of  twenty-eight 
jxHinds.  The  garrison,  at  the  time  of  the  surrender,  con- 
sisted of  six  hundred  regulars,  and  thirteen  hundred  mili- 
tia. There  were  ten  thirteen,  and  six  nine  inch  mortars, 
'fhere  were  provisions  and  ammunition  for  five  or  six 
month-fc. 


tlic  cap- 
turo  oi' 
Loui«l)ur 


Eiiglutid 


'HAP.  IX.    ■    Chap.  IX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


981 


ve  or  61X 


Nfiihtr  1>y  the  rom}»inr<l  amiios  of  Cirrnl-Briiain  r»n«l  Book  II. 
\\cT  allies,  nor  by  her  f(>rnii<l;il»U'  llr««,<.,  Iiad  I'raricc,  fivxa  ^.^""^'^«' 
(ho  coriunoncoou'nl  of  tUc  wur,  rcrrivMj  »o  drrp  nnci  sen-    1745. 
jiblf  a  wound.     No  event  had  taken  place,  by  which  her 
schemes  had  been  so  entirely  <lisroncerted  and  dt'ran(»ed. 
The  acquisition  was,  indeed,  grand,  and  the  consequences 
were  vast  and  important. 

The  value  of  tnc  prizes  taken,  in  cons»»qucnce  of  the  Cnn«€- 
pxpedition,  was  little,  if  any  thin^,  short  of  a  million  ster- 'iueiuosoi 
ling.  The  town  Was  taken  at  a  tunc  when  ships  and  ves-  J*'*  "^^"P* 
sels  from  all  parts  were  expected  in  the  harbour.  To  tie-  Louisbuij, 
(oy  them,  the  French  flag  was  kept  Hyinj^.  Besides  the 
Vigilant,  and  the  prizes  taken  bcJore  and  during  the  siege, 
two  East-India  ships,  and  another  from  the  South  sea, 
were  taken,  which,  together,  were  estimated  at  six  hun- 
dred thousand  pounds  sterling.*  Besides,  Nova-Scotia 
and  the  English  fisheries  were  preserved,  and  those  of  the 
French,  in  America,  were  totally  destroyed.  At  tlie  same 
time,  the  colonies  themselves,  and  their  trade,  were  much 
more  secure.  Indeed,  the  colonies  were  delivered  from 
dangers,  of  which,  at  that  time,  they  had  no  knowledge. 
Duvivoir",  the  winter  after  the  surprise  of  Canso,  went  to 
France,  on  the  business  of  soliciting  an  armament  for  the 
reduction  of  Nova-Scotia.  On  this  application,  he  was 
dispatched  with  seven  ships  of  war,  for  that  purpose.  On 
his  passage,  he  took  a  prize,  on  board  of  which  was  lieu- 
tenant governor  Smith,  of  New- York.  By  him,  receiving 
intelligence  of  the  reduction  of  Louii»burg,  he  returned  to 
France.  In  expectation  of  this  fleet,  Monsieur  Marin  ap- 
peared, with  nine  hundred  French  and  Indians,  from  Cana- 
da, before  the  fort  at  Annapolis ;  but  finding  no  shipping 
for  his  assistance,  he  soon  retired.!  Thus,  by  this  enter- 
prise, were  the  plans  of  France  broken,  and  the  colonies 
secured.  This  enabled  Great-Britain  more  honourably  to 
treat  with  France,  at  the  general  pacification,  and  seems  to 
have  been  the  means  of  restoring  to  h<ii  a  great  part  of 
what  she  had  lost  in  Germany. 

In  this  enterprise,  New-England,  first  and  last,  employed 
more  than  five  thousand  men.  From  the  time  of  the  sur- 
render of  the  town,  until  the  twenty-fourth  of  May,  nearly 
eleven  months,  it  was  kept  wholly  by  the  New-England 
troops.    During  part  of  this  time,  great  sickness  and  mor- 

*  July  24th,  an  East-India  ship,  from  Bengal,  was  taken,  e^Umatied  at 
75,0001.  AnoUier  East-Indiaman  was  soon  after  taken,  vaiued  at  1^,0001.        '' 
The  South  sea  ship  was  decoyed  by  the  Boston  packet,  captain  Fletcher, 
iNider  the  ^nAs  of  the  men  of  war,  and  taken,  August  22d.    She  was  esti- 
mated at  400,0001. 

T  Douglas,  vol.  i.  page  562,    .    ' 

L2 


'"'^  <  *  1^  I  itT'' 


!•      l,.,t,,';a 
PI 


m 


0  ■  i\  I 

i;.  I ; 


■:&: 


insTokY  OF 


Chap.  \X. 


H 


It''*- 


■f-' 


JV^.oK  II.  tiilifv  piovnilrd.  and  Ncw-Kngliind  Misl;iinr(l  n  rr^ndidfr 
.^  /-^  iil)|p  lo«is  of  mm.     After  this  tirnr,  tlu*  garrison  ronsihin 
\1M).    pnrlly  of  regular  fro^ps,  drawn  from  Gil»n»ltar,  aiMl  partl\ 
of  jNrw-t'»;;land  mri,    both  paid  1>y  the  crown. 

The  <  (ilony  of  C't>iinpc>iruf  cmployrd  in  this  ontorf    v 
inoro  llrin  a  thounond  men.     At  fn«f,  they  furnishn:  Uvi 
hundred  men  for  the  'ind  scrv  ice,  and  their  country  sloop 
miuuH'd  with  an  hundred  men  ;  and,  during  the  siege,  thr\ 
•<rnt  on  two  hnmlrcd  men.     As  th*^  place  could  not   he 
l.eitt,  for  a  numboT  of  month>«,   hut  by  NeAV-England  moa 
only,  the  colony  provided  three  hundred  and  fifty  men,  tf. 
keep  garrison  during  the  winter. 

At  a  special  nsscmbly  in  August,  the  legislature  address 
(•(1  a  letter  to  his  majesty,  congratulating  him  on  the  sur- 
(CSS  of  his  ft:ms,  In  the  reduction  of  Louisburg  ;  rcpi-eseiit 
ing  the  number  of  troops  which  they  had  employed  in  tin 
leducf  ion  of  it  to  the  obedience  of  his  majesty,  and  the  num 
ber  th(  y  had  engaged  to  furnish,  to  assist  in  keening  gar 
'ison,  until  his  majesty's  pleasure  should  be  further  mad' 
known.     It  was  also  represented,  that,  by  reason  of  tlv 
Sj)anish  war,  the  great  expense  which  thev  had  been  a^ 
in  the  cxjjipdition  ap;a:nst  Louisburg,  and  the  large  hour 
tics  they  were  obliged  to  give,  to  raise  the  men  immedi^u 
ly  nece^sa^v  for  his  majesty's  sei^^ice,  in  that  great  under- 
taking, antl  by  th'»  assistance  the  colony  had  given  U. 
•Massachusett' ,  i)t  <, 'fending  thfir  frontiers,  it  was  beconn 
ixtrenicly  ii>    h  nf,  and  was  reduced  to  a  very  low  ebl 
They  humli,  be^.ged  his  majesty's  favour  and  bounty  tr- 
•wartls  them,  in  iflieving  their  heavy  burthcws.  They  htim- 
l»ly  prayed  his  majesty  to  permit  them  to  recommend  if 
his  royal  consideration,  the  officers  and  soldiers,  who, 
(hough  they  had  endured  great  hardships,  and  acted  with 
spirit  during  the  siege,  had  been  allowed  no  share  in  any 
fhing  taken  ;  while  his  majesty's  officers  by  sea,  had,  be- 
fore and  after  the  surrender  of  the  town,  shared  in  greii' 
and  valuable  prizes,  which  fell  into  their  hand«,  amounting, 
by  estimation,  to  more  than  a  miUion  sterling,  which  would 
none  of  them  have  been  taken,  had  it  not  been  for  thf 
siege  and  capture  of  the  town.     They  say,  "  We  have  pfo- 
sunicd  to  send  your  majesty  a  roll  of  the  officers  from  Con- 
necticut, and  most  humbly  pray  your  majesty's  most  grci- 
cious  audience  and  favour." 

At  the  session  in  October,  the  assembly  desired  the  go\ 
ornor  to  write  a  letter  to  the  honourable  Peter  Warren,  Esq. 
( ommodore,  &.c.  acknowledging  his  favour  of  the  14th  oi 
September,  congratulating  him  on  the  honour  his  majesty 
liad  put  upon  hifti,  in  the  success  of  his  majesty's  arm« . 


Cmap.  IX. 


rONNECTICUT. 


21 


inii  rc|>r' Hiatiiig  liic  happy  cunncqurnccii  <>f  lurnittny  m  Hook  II. 
ih«'  |;ovt'i  .  >i<nl  ol   l^niiisbur^,  to    ho  people  thcrt-,  atnl  lo  n^'^-^x./ 
(he  t f'lonii's  in  ^oiirral.     At  the  same  tinii',  tho  qoviTimr    IT  I."'. 
i»a»i    siro«l  to  sdlii  ii  ihr  coiiimo(ion-\^  j^cxxl  fjllkes  wild 
liii  MiajcstN ,  in  a  tavounibln  rcprrsenlalion  of  tin*  »crvicc.> 
icntltTcd  to  his  niiijcsiy  by  the  iroops  of  the  colony  ;  nnd 
ihat  it  might   nlcnsc  liim  to  order  a  reimljursouu'nt  of  ihr 
/x|)eu.ses  of  ilic  expedition  arainftt  Louiabiir^;  and  that 
favours  might  be  conffir    1  on  tnc  oUkcrsi  and  soldiers.* 

Thonuis  Fitch.  Esq.  u.ts  appointed  agent  for  the  lolony, 
,)  proceed  to  En^limfl,  and  solicit  a  reimbursement  of  ihr 
expenses  of  it,  in  the  expedition  against  Louishurg,  and  to 
;rarisart  the  other  alTairs  of  the  colony,  at  the  court  o; 
(Jreat-Britain.  Mr.  Fitch,  notwithstanding,  declined  is 
service,  and  never  went. 

Notwithstanding  these   inportant  services,  the  colonic, 
had  no  share  in  the  prizes,  nor  in  any  thing  taken  on.  th( 
island  of  Cape  Breton,  excepting  a  small  sum  allowed  cajv 
liii  Fletcher,  for  leading  in  the  South  sea  ship.t 

In  consequence  of  the  success  of  this  expedition,  a  shade 
was  thrown  over  the  imprudence  and  rashness  with  which 
It  seems. to  have  been  undertaken.  On  both  sides  of  th»* 
ivater,  ]>ious  people  couid  not  but  with  grateful  admiration, 
notice  the  remarkable  coincidence  of  circunistunces  which 
ontributed  to  this  great  event.  Governor  Shirley,  in  his 
vpeec  h  to  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts,  observes, 
ihat  ''  scarce*such  an  instance  is  to  be  found  in  history.^' 
The  annual  convention  of  the  New-England  ministers,  in 
heir  address  to  his  majesty,  term  it  "  the  wonderful  suc- 
cess God  has  given  your  American  forces."  A  clergyman, 
writing  from  London,  has  this  observation :  "  This  pros- 
perous event  can  hardly  be  ascribed  to  any  thing  short  of 
an  interposition  ii'om  aoove,  truly  uncommon  and  extraor- 
dinary." 

Both  to  Great-Britain  and  Prance,  the  reduction  of  Lou-  EflTects  oi 
isburg,  by  New-England,  was  an  affair  of  no  small  sur-  jhe  cap- 
prise.    In  each  of  these  courts,  it  was  productive  of  grand  Louii^b^.^ 
plans  of  operation.    Great-Britain,  flushed  with  victory,  ©n  the 
thought  of  nothing  less  for  the  business  of  the  next  cam-  courts  of 
j)aign,  than  the  conquest  of  Canada,  and  the  extirpation  of  ^l''^"'* 
the  French  from   the  northern  continent.     The  French,  France. 
fired  with  resentment  at  the  losses  which  they  had  sustain- 

*  Notwithstanding  these  humble  and  earnest  solicitations,  I  believe  no 
officer  except  captain,  afterwards  general  Wooster,  who  went,  on  business, 
to  England,  and  was  honoured  with  a  lieutenancy,  and  half  pay  during  life, 
received  any  appointaient  or  emolument  from  the  crown. 

i  Hutch,  vol.  ii.  p.  416, 423.  Douglas,  vol.  i.  p.  tM2, 217, 356.  Rider^a 
Hjst.  vol.  xxxviii.  p.  124,  126. 


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HISTORY  01' 


Chap.  IX.     ■  Chap.  IX. 


Book  II.  ed,  meditated  the  recovery  of  Louisburg,  the  con({urst  of 
^^'^^'^%m/  Nova-Scotia,  the  deft:ruction  of  Boston,  and  the  ^ava^ing 
1746.    of  the  American  coast,  from-Nova-Scotia  to  Gcoreia. 

It  was  the  plan  of  the  British  court,  that  eight  battalions 
of  regular  troops  should,  in  conjunction  with  the  provincials 
to  be  raised  in  New-England,  rendezvous  at  Louishurg, 
and,  with  a  squadron  under  admiral  Warren,  procerd  up 
the  St.  Lawrence  to  Quebec.  Vrom  New- York  and  the 
southern  colonies,  as  far  as  Virginia,  another  army  was  to 
be  raised,  and  to  rendezvous  at  Albany.  This,  under  the 
command  of  general  St.  Clair,  was  to  cross  the  country  to 
Montreal.  No  proportion  was  fixed  for  the  several  colo- 
nies; but  they  were  left  to  show  their  zeal  for  the  common 


cause,  bv  raising  such  numbers  as  they  pleased.  It  was 
cxpectecf  that  they  would  send  five  thousand  men,  at  least, 
into  the  field.  The  New-England  colonies  granted  five 
thousand  and  three  hundred  men.  The  other  colonies 
agreed  to  raise  two  thousand  and  nine  hundred.  Eight 
thousand  two  hundred,  in  the  whole.*  Notice  of  the  plan 
JuQi,i746.  was  communicated  to  the  colonies  the  beginning  of  June, 
and  in  six  weeks  most  of  the  New-England  troops  were 
read  V  to  embark. 

The  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut  convened  on  the 
19th,  and  resolved  to  raise  one  thousand  able  bodied  men ; 
and,  that  it  might  be  done  immediately,  a  bounty  of  thirty 
pounds  was  voted  for  every  soldier  who  would  enlist.  It 
was  also  resolved,  that,  if  provisions  could  not  be  had  with- 
out, they  should  be  impressed.  Such  was  the  zeal  of  t^e 
colony  for  the  public  service. 

While  these  exertions  had  been  making  in  the  colonies, 
a  powerful  armament,  under  the  command  of  Richard 
Lestock,  admiral  ul  the  blue,  had  been  prepared  at  Ports- 
mouth, with  transports  which  had  six  regiments  on  board, 
to  co-operate  with  the  provincials  in  carrying  the  great 
pla.i  into  execution.  The '  fleet  had  orders  to  sail  by  the 
first  opportunity  ;  but  its  departure  was  unaccountably  de- 
»o  layed,  till  it  was  judged  that  the  season  was  too  far  ad- 
vanced, to  risk  the  great  ships  on  the  boisterous  coasts  of 
America.!  It  is  not  improbable,  that  the  landing  of  the 
young  pretender,  the  rebellion  in  Scotland,  and  theappre- 

*  The  proportions  were  verjr  uDequal.  New-Hampahire  rftiied  500; 
MasHachusetts,  B500:  Khode-Ialaad,  300;  New-Tork,  1600:  New-Jer- 
•py,  500 ;  VeDotjrlvania,  400 ;  Maryland,  300 ;  and  Virginia,  100— only  a 
tenth  part  of  what  was  raises  by  the  small  colony  of  Connecticut.  It  ap- 
pears from  the  records  of  the  colony,  and  nunnerous  facts,  that  Connect!-, 
cut,  ia  her  loyalty  and  leal  for  the  public  service,  bad  been  second  to  non^ 
of  the  coloaies. 

t  Rid^ft  History  Qf  England,  vol.  xxxix.  p.  50,  53^ 

■'  .     •      -;.-  .,  ^    4  '« 

; 


Chap. 


IX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


295 


hfnsionA  of  an  invasiQn  from  France,  were  the  occasion  of  Boor  If. 
this  delay .t     •:?',*#:'*•*  »^-^  ,f.'-.:,i>i}  s^r-v^^^ 

That  this  amnament,  which  consisted  of  nearly  thirty  1746. 
ships  of  war,  might  not  be  wholly  useless,  it  was,  in  Sep- 
rmticr,  dispatched  against  the  coast  of  Brittany,  with  a 
view  to  surprise  port  L^Oricnt,  the  grand  repository  of 
all  the  stores  and  snips  belonging  to  the  French  Kast-lndia 
rooipany.     But  it  enccted  nothing  worthy  of  notice. 

Mean  while,  Fiance,  notwithstanding  all  her  other  pre- 
parations, fitted  out  her  fleets  and  troops  for  America. 
The  duke  D*Anviile,  a  nobleman  in  whose  courage  and 
( onduct  the  court  of  France  had  reposed  the  greatest  con- 
fidence, was  appointed  to  command  the  expedition.  The  Arma- 
annatnent  consisted  of  eleven  ships  of  the  line,  and  ofJJ'Jil'^f,"''' 
thirty  smaller  ships  and  vessels,  from  thirty  to  ten  guns  ;  duke 
and  of  transports,  carrying  three  thousand  one  hundred  and  D'Anvitle. 
(Iiirty  land  lorces.  These,  at  Nova-Scotia,  were  to  form 
a  junction  with  sixteen  hundred  French  and  Indians  from 
Canada.  Monsieur  Pomeret  was  commander  of  the  land 
forces.  As  early  as  the  beginning  of  May,  this  formidable 
armanoent  was  ready  to  sail ;  but  it  was  so  delayed  by  con- 
trary winds,  that  the  admiral  was  not  able  to  leave  the 
coasts  of  France  until  the  twenty  second  of  June.  Admi- 
ral Martin  waited,  with  a  fleet  of  observation,  to  prevent 
his  sailing  ;  but  he  got  out  of  the  harbor  unnoticed,  and 
proceeded  without  molestation.  The  duke  D^Anville  had 
detached  monsieur  Conflans,  with  three  ships  <^the  line  and 
a  frigate,  to  convoy  the  trade  to  Cape  Francois  in  Hispa-  ' 
niola.  Conflans  was  ordered  to  join  D'Anville  at  Che- 
bucto.  In  his  passage,  near  Jamaica,  he  fell  in  with  the 
British  fleet,  commanded  by  commodore  Mitchell.  But 
the  commodore  conducted  in  such  a  dastardly  mannter, 
that  he  suffered  him  to  pass  without  any  considerable  injury. 
A  British  historian  represents,  that  he  refused  to  take  him 
when  in  his  power.*  It  was  r>ow  therefore  left  to  him  * 
only,  who  disappointeth  the  devices  of  the  craftv,  and  takcth 
the  prey  from  the  mighty,  without  human  aid,  to  save  the 
(olonies  from  ruin.  Xet  us,  with  grateful  admiration,  be- 
hold how  seasonably  and  how  powerfully  he  wrought  for 
ihcir  salvation. 

t  This  was  a  year  of  alam,  perplexitjr  and  danger  with  Great  Britain, 
nn  accoant  of  the  rebellioo  in  Scotland.  The  pretender  landed  in  that 
kingdom  in  Aucuat,  17^,  and  the  rebellion  aooa  coaunenced.  On  the 
.Mut  of  September,  the  rebels  defeated  the  king's  troops  at  Preston  Pans. 
The^  triumphed  for  some  months,  and  fare  mat  alarm  to  the  nation,  till 
April  16th,  1746,  when  tbogrWera  entirelj  iterated  by  the  duke  of  Cum- 
berland. Mott  of  the  rei^l  officers  were  kiUed  or  tftkea,  witb  S5Q0  ^ 
'heir  men.  This  put  an  end  to  the  rebellioo. 
*  RidtfH  hilt.  to!,  xxxix.  p.  53. 


Jiio 


lIlrfTUKY  OK 


^"AP.  I.\. 


Book  11. 

1746. 
Diiia»ti*n 
attonding 
IVAn- 

villc's 
fleet. 


lie  not  unly  laid  an  embargo  uii  the  enemy,  and,  foi 
more  than  six  weeks,  prevented  his  sailing,  but  caiisfii 
his  passage  to  be  stormy  and  tedious.  Like  the  churhj' 
wheels  of  Pharaoh,  they  moved  henvily.  It  was  not  until 
the  third  of  AugUvSt,  that  they  passed  the  Western  Islundt. 
On  the  24th,  when  they  were  three  hundred  leagues  fioin 
Nova-Scotia,  one  of  the  great  ships  complained  so  much, 
that  the  enemy  were  obliged  to  burn  her.  In  a  violent 
storm,  which  overtook  them  on  the  first  of  September,  the 
Maii,,  a  sixty-four  gun  ship,  was  so  much  damaged  in  hei 
masts,  and  became  so  leaky,  that  she  bore  away  to  thr 
West-Indies.  The  Alcide,  another  sixty-four,  was  so  in- 
jured,  that  she  was  sent  off  to  keep  her  company.  Soon 
after,  the  crew  of  the  Ardent,  a  third  sixty-four,  became 
so  sickly,  that  she  put  back  to  Brest. 

It  was  not  till  the  twelfth  of  September,  that  the  ilukf 
D'Anville  arrived  at  Chebucto, 'in  the  Northumberland, 
accompanied  with  one  ship  of  the  line,  the  Renommc,  and 
three  or  four  transports  only.  One  ship  only  had  arrivrd 
before  him.  This  long  and  disastrous  passage  had  toliiily 
deranged  his  whole  plan.  Conflans  came  on  the  coast  in 
August,  but  hearing  nothing  of  the  duke,  bad,  before  \m 
arrival,  sailed  for  France. 

While  the  colonies  were  waiting,  with  impatience,  loi 
the  arrival  of  the  English  fleet  under  admiral  Lestock,  thfj 
squadron  under  Conflans  was  discovered,  and  the  news  of 
it  brought  to  Boston,  by  the  fishermen,  who  had  made  ihcii 
escape  from  Chebucto ;  but  their  report  was  not  credited. 
In  the  beginning  of  September,  the  colonies  had  authen- 
tic intelligence  of  the  sailing  of  this  formidable  armameui 
fot»  Araer*  Reports  were  after  brought  them,  that  u 
great  llec  s  discovered  to  the  westward  of  Newfound- 
land. StfU,  however,  the  colonies  flattered  themselves 
that  it  was  the  f^nglish  fleet,  under  admiral  Lestock.  Bu 
oh  the  28th,  there  arrived  an  express  boat  at  Boston,  with 
certain  intelligence  that  these  ships  were  the  French  fleet. 
The  report  was,  that  it  consisted  of  fourteen  sail  of  thi 
line,  and  twenty  smaller  men  of  war ;  and  that  the  rev. 
were  fire  shipa,  bomb  tenders  and  transports.  It  was 
said,  that  there  were  eight  thousand  troops  on  board.^ 

As  the  colonies  knew  nothing  of  the  disasters  which  had 
befallen  the  fleet  on  its  passage,  they  conceived  of  it  as 
ron.sisting  of  all  the  force  which  it  possessed  at  the  time  of 
its  sailing,  and  that  the  reports  which  they  now  received 
were  true.  England  was  not  therefore  more  alarmed  with 
the  Spanish  aiinada,  in  1588,  than  Boston  and  New-Eng 
l^nd  were  on  the  report  ofth^  ftrrivafclof  P'^nvjlle's  fl 
♦  Hutch,  vol.  ii.  p.  465, 


and,  foi 

;  charrrji 
not  until 
Islands. 
;ues  fioiii 
tio  much, 
a  violent 
mhcr,  the 
jed  ill  he  I 
vay  to  ihr 
was  so  in- 
ly.    Soon 
r,  became 


i\\r. 


IX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


2S1 


1 74r>. 


■trhrbucfo.     The  first  atlviccs  of  imminent  danger  often  Book  IF. 
link*'  the  firmest  minds. 

But  no  sooner  were  the  colonies  assured  that  the  French 

jpct  had  arrived,  than  every  practicable  measure  of  de- 

•Viirc  was  immediately  adopted.     In  a  few  days,  six  thou- 

^nd  and  four  hiitidred  of  the  inland  militia  were  brought 

1 10  reinforce  Boston.     Six  thous'and  more,  if  occasion 

;ioiil(i  reauirc  it,  were,  on  the  first  notice,  to  have  been 

iispatcherJ  to  the  assistance  of  their  brethren.!     The  miji- 

j,i  on  the  sea  coasts,  were  to  be  kept  at  home   for  theJf 

i\fn  defence.     But  as  they  were  altogether  unacquainted 

iriih  what  had  befallen  the  French  annament,  their  prin- 

ipal  dependence,  under  providence,  was  on  a  fleet  from 

•■".ngiand,  sufliricnt,  in  conjunction  with  that  of  Louisburg, 

0  (Icfcat  the  French.     But  with  respect  to  this   and  all 
^[hrr  human  aid,  they  were  totally  disappointed. 

That  Almighty  hand,  which  had  already  wrought  so  con-  ^^^!^,* 
;picuou8ly  for  t(ie  relief  of  the  country,  completed  its  sal-  jj^-jj"^ '  * 
vation.  The  duke  D'Anville  waited  until  the  sixteenth  of 
he  month  for  the  arrival  of  the  rest  of  his  fleet,  and  not 
one  ship  of  war,  nor  any  part  of  it  arriving,  except  three 
iransports,  he  was  so  aflected  with  disappoirftmenC  and 
I  chagrin,  that  it  brought  on  an  apoplctic  nt,  or  he  drank 
poison,  and  died  suddenly  the  same  owrning. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  the  vice  admiral  B'Es- 
lourriclle,  with  four  ships  of  the  line,  came  into  port.  As 
!lie  i'oops  had  been  long  on  board  before  they  sailed,  and 
liad  a  tedious  passage,  they  arrived  in  a  very  sickly  and 
miserable  condition.     The  admiral  was  dead,  and  Conflans 

1  was  returned  to  France.     They  had  been  deprived  of  four 
apital  ships,  the  Ardent,  Carilx)u,  Mars,  ana  Alcidc ;  and 

I  he  Argonute  fire-ship  was  missing.     In  these  circumstan- 
ces, D'Estoumelle,  on  the  18th,  called  a  council  of  bisofli- 
rers;  and  as  they  had  not  half  the  force  designed  for  the 
I'xpcdition,  and  the  season  for  military  operations  was  far 
idvaaced,  proposed  to  them  to  return  to  France.  Monsieur 
lie  la  Jonquiere,  governor  of  Canada,  was  on  board  the 
n'orthumbcrland,  and  next  in  command  to- the  vice  admiral ; 
lie,  with  others  of  the  council,  for  seven  or  eight  hours, 
hrenuously  opposed  the  vice  admiral's  proposal.     They  j^j^j^^ 
liirgcd,  that  the  sick  men,  with  fresh  air  and  provisions,  the  er 
[iTould  soon  recover;  and  that  they  were  able,  at  least,  to«y*8c6un- 
Tcduce  Annapolis  and  Nova-Scotia :  that,  after  that,  they  ^"^' 
taight  winter  safely  in  Casco  bay,  or  return  to  France,  as 
should  best  suit  their  inclinations.   The  debate  terminated 
|'r\  the  rejection  of  the  admiral's  proposition.     This  so  ex- 
t  Douglas?,  vol.  i.  p.  32?,  3?3,  «    :  ■  v 


i  t^i 


lOD  m 
ene- 


1. 


'jca 


HISTORY  OF 


CttAn  IX, 


Book  II.  trrnielv  ngifatctl  his  spirits,  that  it  brought  on  a  fcvrr,  and 
s^-'v-w/  threw  him  into  a  deh'rium.     A  divine  terror  seemed  to  fall 
1746.    upon  him.     He  imagined  he  was  among  the  English,  nnd 
D'FXoiir-  fmally  ran  himself  through,  and  was  no  more.*  Jonquiorc, 
nriip  kiiu  •  g  1,^31,  of  skill  and  experience  in  war,  succeeded  him,  and 
the  expectations  of  the  fleet  and  army  were  much  raised. 
From  this  time,  the  reduction  of  Annapolis  and  Nova-Sco- 
tia became  the  object  of  the  expedition. 

The  troops  were  landed,  with  a  view  to  the  recovery  oi 
their  health,  and  the  Acadians  and  Indians  amply  furnished 
Mortnlity  (hem  ^it||  provisions.  Nevertheless,  by  dysenteries  and 
Frl'ncii  ^^^  ^  scorbutic,  putrid  fever,  a  very  great  mortality  prevailed 
nnd  rn-  among  them.  The  Nova-Scotia  Indians  took  the  conta- 
(lituiD.  gion,  and  by  it  lost  not  less  than  one  third  of  their  whole 
number.! 

Governor  Shirley,  supposing  Ihat  he  had  received  cer- 
tain intelligence  of  the  sailing  of  admiral  Lestock  for  Ame- 
rica, sent  off  an  express,  to  inform  the  fleet  at  Louisburg 
of  the  news.     On  the  eleventh  of  October,  the  packet  was 
taken  by  the  French,  and  carried  into  Chebucto.    This, 
probably,  accelerated  their  sailing,  and  return  directly  to 
Oci.  isili,  France,  without  attempting  any  thing  against  Annapolis 
Iicet'^  lulled  ^^  Nova-Scotia.     Two  days  after  they  sailed  from  Che- 
from  Che-  bucto,  on  the  fifteenth,  they  were  overtaken  with  a  severe 
biicto,   for  storm,  which  continued  to  increase  for  two  days,  so  that 
'  the  fleet  was  exceedingly  scattered.     Two  only,  a  fifty  and 

a  thirty  gun  ship,  got  into  the  bay  pf  Fundy.     The  latter 
came  into  the  bason,  and  put  on  shore  an  express,  inform 
ing  De  Ramsay,  that  the  French  fleet  were  returning  tol 
France.     These  ships  were  discovered  from  the  fort  atl 
Annapolis,  and  the  Chester  man  of  war,  the  Sliirley  frieatp,j 
and  a  small  armed  vessel,  well  manned,  went  out  in  cnac 
of  them ;  but  they  made  their  escape  to  France.    Thus, 
after  burying  two  admirals,  and  nearly  half  their  army,  a 
Chebucto,  they  returned,  without  effecting  the  least  enter- 
prise against  the  colonies.  The  French  burnt  the  Caribou 
the  Mars  was  taken,  on  her  return,  by  the  Nottingham,  jus 
as  she  arrived  on  the  coast  of  France.     The  Alcide  wa 
driven  on  shore  by  the  Exeter,  and  burnt.     This  was  thi 
fate  of  the  grand  French  armada,  sent  against  Ncw-Eng 
land. 

Such  a  succession  of  disasters  as  pursued  the  Frenc 
from  the  day  they  sailed  from  France,  till  they  returned,  i 
rarely  to  be  found  in  the  history  of  human  events.    1h 

restraints  put  upon  this  mighty  armament,  and  the  protec      ^ 

%ion  of  New-England,  was  litUe  less  remarkable,  than  '^S  France *^deca 
*  Hutch.  ToJ.  ii.  p.  427,  428.  t  Douglas,  vol.  i.  p.  32|,  ' 


Trance. 


Chap. 


IX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


239 


ijefcaiof  the  Assyrian  monarch,  and  the  defence  of  Jenisa-  Book  II. 
|(in,  when,  after  all  his  vast  preparations,  and  haughty  \^^\<'\m» 
Dipntces,  he  was  not  suflered  to  go  against  her,  nor  shoot    17 16. 
an  arrow  there.     Like  him,  the  enemy  returned,  with  un- 
common Ions  and  shame,  to  his  own  land. 

The  ministry  in  England  well  knew  of  the  sailing  of  this 
formidable  armament;  yet  seem  to  have  cared  very  little 
whul  might  be  the  consequences  to  the  colonics.     The 
only  measure  which  they  appear  to  have  taken  in  conse- 
quence of  it,  was  an  order  to  admiral  Townshend,  to  sail, 
rrilh  his  squadron,  from  the  VVest.lndies,  to  reinforce  com- 
Bioiloir  Knowles,  at  Louisburg.     These  combined  squad- 
rons were  more  than  a  match  for  the  French  fleet,  and 
might  have  destroyed  it,  in  its  distressed  circumstances  ; 
but  tfiey  made  not  the  least  attempt  for  its  annoyance  or 
de.Mruction.     No  admiral  on  the  American  station  this 
year,  appears  to  have  acted  with  any  tolerable  zeal  or  spi- 
rit. Indeed,  there  was  no  exertion  of  military  skill  or  prow- 
ess ;  no  employment  of  policy ;  nor  the  adoption  of  a  sin- 
gle measure,  in  Europe  or  America,  which  appeared  to  '^*  Pf*- 
have  the  least  influence  in  the  preservation  of  the  country,  "'f'thc*' oh. 
Tlie  whole  glory  of  that  remarkable  salvation  which  the  dim,  to  be 
country  experienced,  appeared  to  be  due  to  Hm  only,,  a»«''^»c'* 
whose  kingdom  ruleth  overall.     Pious  men  saw  this  inJJ^gj^j^^ 
a  strong  point  of  li^ht,  and,  in  their  most  ferveiU  and  pub-  interpon- 
lie  devotions,  ascribed  the  glory  to  Him.  tion. , 

Great,  indeed,  was  the  disappointcnent  of  the  colonics, 
after  all  their  expense  and  exertions,  that  the  fleet  ex- 
pected from  England  failed,  and  that  the  expedition 
against  Canada  was,  by  that  means,  wholly  defeated.  But 
no  sooner  was  this*  perceived  by  governor  Shirley,  than 
his  enterprising  genius  projected  an  expedition  against 
Crown  Point,  in  conjunction  with  the  other  colonies.  For  ?^^  '" 
this  purpose,  six  months  provisions,  fifteen  hundred  men,  '  ' 
tents,  oi-dnance,  and  ammupition,  were  sent  on  to.  New- 
York  ;  but  a  great  sickness,  which,  at  that  time,  prevailed 
at  Albany,  and  the  alarm  spread  through  the  country,  by 
I  D'Anville's  armament,  frustrated  the  design. 

A  part  of  these  troops  were  kept  in  pay  until  Septem* 
Iber,  1747.    Some  were  sent  from  Massachusetts,  to  rein- 
force Annapolis.     Others  were  employed  for  the  defence 
of  the  frontiers,  but  a  considerable  part  were  wholly  in- 
I  active. 

De  Ramsay,  who  had  collected  an  army  of  about  six^ 
teen  or  seventeen  hundred  French  and  Indians,  at  Anna- 
polis, receiving  intelligence  that  the  fleet  was  returned  to 
France,  decamped,  and  returned  to  Minas.    His  designs 

MS 


'ii 


\i 


596 


HISTORY  OP 


Ortobcr 
OUi,  1746. 


General 
AsMmhlj, 
Jan.  28tb, 
1747. 


Roaiions 
asrain^t  the 
expedi- 
tion, ill 
winter. 
Jan.  28tb, 
1747. 


was,  to  canton  his  men  here,  and  at  Chcconicto,  thnt  he 
might  have  thorn  in  re{«c!ines.H  lo  join  the  armament,  which 
he  expected  from  France,  ihc  next  »[>ring,  for  the  rcduc, 
tion  of  Annapolis.     Thus  ended  the  campaign  of  I74C. 

When  the  General  As.semblv  of  Connecticut  convened 
in  October,  it  was  resolved,  that  the  regiment  raised  in 
this  colony  should  be  dissolved,  as  it  appeared  that  hi» 
majesty  had  no  further  service  for  them. 

As  the  Rev.  Simon  Backus,  who  went  chaplain  lo  tho 
recruits  sent  to  Louisburg,  died  there,  and  as  the  vessel  io 
which  his  clothing,  and  some  considerable  presents,  sent 
by  gentlemen  to  bis  widow,  was  cast  away,  and  all  the 
property  lost,  the  assembly  granted  her  two  hundred 
pounds,  in  addition  to  one  hundred  pounds,  which  had 
oeen  before  paid  to  her  by  the  treasurer. 

The  expedition  against  Crown  Point  having  failed,  in 
the  fall  of  the  year,  a  number  of  principal  gentlemen  ia 
Mas.sachusetts  and  New-York,  were  Avarmly  engaged  for  a 
-winter  campaign,  Wit!i  a  view  to  reduce  that  fortress. 

In  consequence  of  a  resolution  of  the  general  court  of 
Massachusetts,  and  the  report  of  the  committee  of  war  at 
New-York,  in  favour  of  an  expedition  ?it  this  time,  prps- 
sing  letters  were  received  from  governor  Shirley,  at  Bos- 
ton, and  governor  Clinton,  of  New- York,  soliciting  Con- 
necticut to  join  with  them,  and  the  other  colonies,  in  that 
enterprise.  Governor  Law,  on  the  reception  of  the  let- 
ters,  convoked  the  assembly  on  the  28th  of  January,  1747, 
at  New-Haven,  to  deliberate  on  the  subject.  After  the 
letters  had  been  read  before  the  assembly,  and  a  full  dis- 
cussion of  the  affair,  the  assembly  declined  to  engage,  or 
bear  any  part  in  the  proposed  expedition.  The  reasons 
alledged  against  it,  were,  That  a  winter  campaign  would  I 
be  attended  with  many  and  great  difficulties,  and  subject 
the  troops  to  such  fatigues  and  hardships,  as  might  dispirit, 
and  render  them  incapable  of  the  services  necessary  to 
render  the  success  of  the  expedition  even  probable :  That 
the  small  pox  had  been  among,  and,  according  to  the  best 
accounts,  was  still  among  the  troops  of  the  western  and  | 
southern  colonies ;  and  that  their  junction  with  the  New- 
England  forces  would  communicate  it  to  the  whole  army,  i 
and  defeat  the  design  :  That,  supposing  ithe  expedi- 
tion had  been  wholly  laid  aside,  the  government  had  sent  | 
on  no  provisions  to  Albany,  nor  iany  other  articles  neces- 
sary for  such  an  enterprise;  and  it  was  now  impracti- 
cable to  do  it  in  so  short  a  time  as  had  been  proposed ;  | 
That  it  was  very  uncertain,  whether  the  western  or  south- 
f  rn  cdlonies  would  join  in  the  exjpedition :   That  some  I 


'"*'••  ^*-   I   C..Ar.  IX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


S91 


rcneral  agreement  and  plan,  on  which  dependence  mig^t  Book  II. 
have  been  placed,  ought  to  have   been  previously  fixed  s^">o^ 
u|X)n,  but  nothing;  of  ihiA  kind  had  been  effected:    That    1747« 
bv  a  winter  campiiign,  the  army  might  be  so  weakened,  as 
to  render  it  incapable  of  the  services  which  hia  majesty 
mi^lu  require   of  them  against  Canada   afterwards  ;  and 
thill  they  might  thereby  incur  his  majesty's  displeasure. 

Tlie  assembly,  nevertheless,  declared,  t!iat  whenever  a 
probable  plan  and  proper  time  should  be  fixed  upon  for  the 
rpJuciion  of  Crown  Point,  they  would  readily  join  with 
thf  other  colonics  :  and,  that  whenever  his  majesty  should 
call  their  troops  into  service,  they  would  do  all  in  their 
power  to  subserve  his  designs.* 

This  assembly  resolved  on  an  address,  congratulating  Ad<ln?M  tc 
him  on  the  glorious  victory  obtained  by  his  royal  highness,  j^"  "^jg^h. 
the  dtikp  of  Cumberland,  over  the  rebels  in  Scotland.  The 
legislature  express  the  strongest  attachment  to  his  majesty's 
prr^on,  family,  and  government.  They  acknowledge  the 
favors  which  the  colony  enjoyed  under  his  auspicious 
reign.  They  express  their  utmost  abhorrence  of  that 
tintiaturaland  wicked  rebellion,  raised  in  favor  of  a  popish 
prplendef  against  the  best  of  kings,  the  best  constitution, 
and  the  best  government.  They  manifest  great  joy,  that 
the  rebels  had  not  prevailed  to  introduce  popery  and  sla- 
very, nor  to  endanger  the  protcstant  interest.  They  con- 
clude by  praying,  that  the  merciful  providence  which  had 
placed  him  on  the  British  throne,  and  given  him  so  lone 
and  so  illustrious  a  reign,  might  still  protect  his  sacrea 
person,  subdue  his  enemies,  make  his  reign  prosperous, 
and  continue  the  crown  in  his  royal  and  illustrious  family 
to  the  latest  posterity. 

While  these  affairs  were  transacted  in  this  part  of  the       .^ 
country,  a  great  misfortune  happens  ■    o  a  body  of  troops    P 
belonging   to   Massachusetts.      Govei  iior  Mascarene,  of 
Annapolis,  had  represented  to  the  New-England  colonies, 
that  a  thousand  men  would  be  necessary  to  reinforce  that 
and  the  neighboring  posts,  and  to  drive  the  enemy  from 
Nova-Scotia.     In  consequence  of  this  representation,  the 
three  colonies  of  Massachusetts,  Rhode-Island  and  New- 
Hampshire,  agreed  to  reinforce  those  posts  with  thatnum-      «i 
berofmen.     Three  hundred,  furnished  by. Rhode-Island,        '- 
were  shipwrecked  on  their  passage,  near  Martha's  Vine- 
yard.   The  troops  from  New-Hampshire,  after  they  were 
on  their  passage,  put  back  and  never  proceeded.     These 
misfortunes  led  to  a    still   greater  one.      The    Massa- 
chusetts troops  had  been  sent  on  and  cantoned  in  a  loose 
*  Records  of  tlic  colony. 


!  ' 


Jll 


\' 


ni 


1 1 

n 


ttisTouY  or 


Cnkr.  IX.   ■  I'rtAF'  IX. 


DooK  11. 


1717. 

TrDopx  at 
JVIiiiitM  )>iir- 
priM'd  nnJ 
takrn. 
Jim.  Jilt, 
17J7. 


rrcpnrn- 
(ii)n>  ol  tlif 
French. 


Dftfcnt  of 
tiicir  tltet, 
May  3d. 


% 


Indinni 
hustiio. 


manner  at  Minas.  Do  Ram^ny  having  advice  of  thoir  sitna. 
tion,  drtachH  about  sis  hundrrdmrn  under  the  commnrMl 
of  M.  Cuign  and  M.  Lacorn,  with  a  view  todlnposACKH  ih»  m 
of  tiuit  post.  On  the  last  of  January,  they  surpriseti,  kill. 
ed  and  captivated  about  fln  hundred  and  .litty  men,  who 
were  scutUred  in  small  parties.  Colonel  Noble,  who 
commanded  tho  corps,  was  amon^  the  slain.  The  main 
body  soon  rollec  ted,  but  as  they  had  lost  their  command- 
er, were  inferior  in  numbers,  and  had  little  ammunition, 
they  capitulated,  engaging  not  to  bear  arms  agaitist  the 
French  in  Nova-Scotia,  durmg  the  term  of  one  y*»nr.  Thoy 
were  allowed  to  march  off  with  six  days  provisions,  arm* 
shouldered,  drums  beating  and  colours  tlying. 

Notwithstanding  the  uncommon  misfortunes  of  D'An. 
villc's  fleet,  the  last  year,  the  P'rench  determined  to  rrrirw 
their  attempts  against  the  British  settlements,  both  in  North 
America  and  in  the  East-Indies.  With  this  view,  two 
KC|uadrons  were  equipped.  That  for  North  America,  was 
commanded  by  Ue  la  Jonquiere,  governor  of  Quebec: 
that  destined  for  the  East-Indies,  by  M.  de  St.  George. 
The  fleets  made  a  junction,  early  in  the  spring,  and  sailed 
from  Roc  he  lie.  The  whole  consisted  of  six  ships  of  the 
line,  six  frigates,  and  four  East-India  ships  fitted  as  men 
of  war;  with  twenty  nine  merchant  ships  and  transports. 
The  ministry  dispatched  admirals  Anson  and  Warren,  with 
thirteen  ships  of  the  line  and  several  frigates,  in  pursuit  of 
them.  On  the  third  of  May,  they  came  tip  with  the  French 
squadron,  and  commenced  a  furious  attack  upon  them. 
De  la  Jonquiere  maintained  it  with  equal  courage  and  con- 
duct, until,  over[)Owered  by  numbers,  he  was  obliged  to 
strike  to  the  British  flag.  Ten  ships  were  taken,  six  shipi 
of  the  line  and  the  four  East^lndiamen*  De  la  Jonquiere, 
four  or  five  thousand  men,  soiiie  bullion,  and  large  sums  d' 
money,  were  taken  with  the  ships.*  Thus  did  providence 
once  more  interpose  for  the  preservation  of  the  English 
colonies  in  America. 

De  Ramsay,  on  the  advice  of  the  defeat  of  De  la  Jon- 
auiere,  returned  to  Canada,  and  the  French  gave  no  fur- 
tner  trouble  in  Nova-Scotia. 

During  this  war,  the  Canada,  Cape  Sable,  St.  Joha\ 
Penobscot  and  Norridgewock  Indians  were  hostile;  so  that 
the  frontiers  did  not  escape  alarm  and  molestation.  They 
burnt  the  fort  and  a  number  of  dwelling-houses  at  St. 
George's,  and  destroyed  a  great  number  ofcattle*  They, 
in  a  manner,  destroyed  Saratoga  the  last  year,  and  were  so 
troublesome  this,  that  the  garrison  abandoned  the  place, 

*  Rider's  Hist.  to!,  xxxix.  p.  92,  93.      mn  :  *  ^^.:  .(  ' 


»»AP.  IX.     ■  IHAP.  'X» 


CONNKCTICUT. 


993 


^ight  ofT  the  iitorcs  and  ordnance,  nnd  burnt  the  fort.  Hoor  |[. 
|Kjmat;P  was  also  done  by  ihera  on  Connecticut  river,  on  - 

ihr  tronli<*rA  ot  MasAachusettM  and  New-H:inip»hirc.  But 
;!)(>  froiiticrs  HufTcrrd  very  little  in  comparison  with  what 
had  done   in  former  want^     The   Indian*  had 


1747. 


•iicy 


been 
with- 


!  if ,  fla 

5  .•■i.is.i! 


Quch  diminished  in  then*  numbers,  and  many  had 
j-awn  to  the  frontiers  of  Canada.  Sometimes  they  were 
li(  1)1  at  home  for  the  defence  of  Uie  enemy's  frontirrs,  and 
j!  others,  they  were  employed  in  the  great  enterprises 
which  they  designed  against  the  colonies.  These  prevent- 
<>tj  their  doing  the  mischief  which  otlierwisc  they  might 
ttive  done. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year,  the  war  languished,  and 
J  general  inactivity  appeared  among  the  l)clligerents,  indi- 
cating that  they  were  nearly  exhausted,  and  verging  to- 
vani-H  a  general  pacification. 

Accordingly,  the  next  April,  preliminaries  tverc  »iened,  ^,''48'^^* 
atAix  laCbapelle,  and  in  a  few  days,  a  cessation  of  hos- 
tilities was  proclaimed.  The  definitive  treaty  was  com- 
pleted on  tne  seventh  of  October  following*  Prisoners  q,.^,  7, 
were  all  to  be  restored  without  a  ransom,  and  conquests 
were  to  be  given  up.  Thus,  after  nearly  ten  years  war,  in 
which  there  had  been  a  vast  expense  of  blood  and  treasure, 
the  parties  had  gained  nothing.  On  cool  reflection,  it 
could  hardly  be  told  for  what  reasons  a  war  had  been  un- 
dertaken, which  had  so  embroiled  and  exhausted  the  na- 
tions engaged  in  it,  and  occasioned  such  loss  and  expense 
10  the  colonies* 

The  northern  colonies,  iocluding  New-England  and  Expenses 
New-Ywk,  during  this  war,  doubtless,  expended  not  less  nfe^'n  ^^* 
than  a  million  sterling.  The  bills  issued  by  Massachu-  war. 
setts,  for  between  two  and  three  years  of  the  war,  amount- 
[  ed  to  between  two  and  three  mdlions  currency.  At  the 
time  of  emission,  five  or  six  hundred  pounds  were  equal  to 
one  hundred  sterling*  Governor  Hutchinson  supposed, 
that  the  real  consideration  which  the  government  received 
from  the  people,  was  nearly  four  hundred  thousand  pounds 
sterling.*  He  has  given  it  as  his  opinion,  that,  for  the 
term  of  two  or  three  years  of  the  war,  the  province  of  Mas- 
sachusetts paid  two  hundred  thousand  pounds  sterling,  be- 
sides the  annual  taxes,  which  were  as  high  as  the  people 
I  could  bear.  By  the  account  which  Douglass  gives,  the  ex- 
pense of  that  province  in  the  expedition  against  Cape  Bre- 
ton, was  not  less  than  four  hunared  thousand  pounds  ster- 
ling ;  and  its  entire  expense  during  the  war,  must  have 
considerably  exceeded  half  a  million  sterling.  The  other 
*  Hutch.  Tol.  ii.  p.  435. 


m 


'^f 


tH 


HISTORY  or 


CH*r.  IX. 


Book  IT.  thrr."  Nrw^EnghnH  rolnniet,  wilh  New-York,  probaMt 
N^r^^,^  r^|ipii()ril  rir.'irly  iin  oqiiiil  *um.  Connrciicut,  durinir  thi 
1 74a.  wiir,  ••mittfd  nhont  ri£;lity  thousand  poundii  ciirrrncv.  \ 
coiisidcriHIr  partofthi*  wan  new  tenor,  and  the  rurnnr, 
of  ihf  colony  w;i«.  hm  little  dcpreci.Ttcd  at  the  commrnrt. 
inrnt  of  the  war.  From  the  nuinb<:r  of  troop*  which  Con. 
nccticut  raised  for  the  expedition  n|;^inftt  Cfi(>«-  Ureton. 
and  that  dcsi^rtied  ngainst  Cannd.),  it  appears  that  the  ex. 
pcnie  of  this  colony  coul  1  not  have  bcrn  le«s,  in  propor. 
(ion  to  it4  wealth  and  ntiinherii,  than  thut  of  MaKsachii.,etts; 
Especially,  con9iderin<;  that  the  colony  maintained  a  gar. 
ri^on  in  the  county  ot  Hampshire,  in  MaHAuchu«e(i.s.  for 
the  d'fence  of  that  frontier,  and  was  at  the  expense  of 
«upporiin((  a  sloop  of  war,  with  about  an  hundred  men. 

South-Carolina  and  Georgia  were  put  to  considerable 
pxpense,  in  the  expediiion  acainsl  Florida,  and  in  thf 
Spanish  invasion.  All  the  colonics  suflfercd  in  their  tradi; 
and  hu.sbandry. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  war.  especially,  they  suslainrd 

very  great  lossen  in  their  shipping  and  commerce.    The 

toMrs  by  ships  which  had  been  placed  on  the  coast,  for  the  protcc- 

(he  Fr«n<  h  tion  of  the  trade,  were  called  off  t6  form  a  squadron  under 

rnvaiterj.  y^jf^jpal  Kiiowlea,  for  the  reduction  of  St.  Jago,  the  capital 

of  Cuba.     While   tlie  coasts  were  left  bare,  the  French 

privateers  seized  the  opportunity,  and  carried  off  many  of 

their  vessels,  without  molestation.     They  became  so  bold, 

as  to  sail  up  Delaware  river,  almost  to  Philadelphia.* 

They  ventured    up  many  leag^ics  into  Chesapeake  bay, 

and  they  sailed  up  Cape  Fear  river,  in  North-Carolina. 

in  the  expeditions  against  Cuba,  and  Louisburg,  in  gar- 
risoning the   latter,   and  in  the  defence  of  Nova-Scoiia, 
Loss  of  the  New-England  lost  three  or  four  thousand  of  her  young  men. 
_  I  Such  were  the  losses  of  the  two  colonies  of  Massachusetts 

and  New-Hampshire,  in  this,  and  in  the  last  Indian  war, 
that  from  seventeen  hundred  twenty-two,  to  seventeen  hun- 
dred forty-nine,  a  terra  of  twenty-seven  years,  there  had 
been  no  increase  of  tlie  number  of  their  inhabitants.  In 
this  lime  they  would,  otherwise,  have  doubled  their  num- 
bers. At  the  time  when  governor  Hutchinson  wrote  his 
his(ory,t  he  observes,  "  It  is  probable  that  there  would 
have  been  two  hundred  thousand  souls  more  than  there  arc 
af  this  time  in  New-Etigland,  if  the  French  had  been  ex- 
pelled from  Canada  an  hundred  years  ago."  Such  a 
scourge  were  the  French  to  New-England.  The  wars 
with  the  French  and  Indians,  first  and  last,  swept  off  great 
cumbers  of  the  inhabitants  of  New- York,  as  well  as  of 
Niew-England. 
*  Douglass,  vol.  i.  p.  343, 344  and  864.    t  In  thf  year  17C6. 


colonics. 


C«»^'  ^' 


CONNECTICUT. 


r>6 


In  thi«  war,  th*colonir«  hnd  rxhibitwi  mo«t  Mrikinncv-  Rook  If. 

jrnrrs  of  their  lovrtlty  on<l  xral  for  hi<  m.M»-.t\N  srrvicr.  s^->^-^/ 
pi,!  nciihrr  from  thosr,  nor  for  all  thrir  \o^^v*.  iiixi  oxprn-    1713. 
^ti'ipf^,  fM  thry  derive  any  roii»iflrn\blo  jidvnritMgr  to 

^rmi^^lvs.  Though  it  hp  triir»,  that  tho  cnnvn,  in  some? 
:ood  |»art,  ropaifl  the  bure  rxprnsc  of  the  r<i»eflition  to 
Louish'Tfr,  yet  thiii  did  by  no  mranscompensat*^  the  coun- 
jT.  Notninj^  was  done  to  compcfi^atp  its  \os%  of  mon,  nor 
•Ji'f  damage  Mi<(tairied  bv  the  depretintion  o!  the  cnrret\ry, 
gor  it«  other  numerous  losAf  i  and  servicer.  Great  Britain 
rngrossed  all  the  advantagei  of  the  rcdurtion  of  Loiiisbiirg. 
!•  Wa*  finally  given  up,  to  recover  what  she  had  lost  in 
Germany,  ancT  to  purchase  peace  for  the  nation.  The 
brgc  quantities  or  riothing,  arms  atid  ammunition,  pur- 

lia$ed  by  the  colonies  for  their  soldiery,  and  for  the  de- 
iWice  of  the  country,  while  it  impoverished  the  colonies, 
increased  the  trade  of  Great  Britain,  and  was  no  iiiconsid- 
irahle  emolument  to  the  parent  state. 

During  the  war,  the  colonics  were  obliged  to  emit  such 
sums  in  bills  of  credit,  that  they  were  scarcely  able  lo  re- 
deem them  before  the  commencement  of  the  next  French 
wr.  Before  the  complete  retlemption  of  thebiiis,  in  the 
colonics  where  their  credit  was  the  best  supported,  tho 
depreciation  was  nearly  twenty  for  one.  This  was  a  great 
injury  to  commerce,  public  credit,  and  the  morals  of  th" 
peopic;  for  years  after  the  termination  of  the  war. 


^ 


"  'i 


TV 


'    ■"•  CHAPTER  X. 

Tht  reception  of  the  towns  of  Woodstock,  Suffield,  Enfield 
and  Somert,  tmder  the  juritdiction  of  Conm  cticut ;  and 
the  grant  of  the  same  privileges  to  the  societies  and 
churches  in  those  torsns  which  the  ecclesiastical  societies 
and  the  churches  in  this  colony  enjoyed*  The  opposition 
made  to  it  by  Ihs  province  of  Massachusetts^  ana  means 
ofdtfence  adopted  by  Connecticut, 

ON  the  running  of  the  line  betweeix  Connecticut  and 
Massachusetts,  an  agreement  was  made  with  Massa- 
chusetts,  on  certain  conditionR,  that  the  towns  which  had 
been  settled  by  that  government,  should  abide  under  its 
jurisdiction.  This  was  matter  of  great  grievance  to  tho 
inhabitants  of  those  i<ma%,  from  the  time  of  itimtil  ^e  co|- 


1 

I 

1 


296 


HI-  TORY  OF 


Chap.  X.  I  Ciap.X. 


Book  II.  ony  Bssumcd  the  government  over  them,  and  they  worn  af). 

v^'>''>M'  mittedto  the  civil  and  religious  liberty  of  the  other  inhab- 
1747.  itanls  of  the  colony.  The  longer  they  continued  under 
the  government  of  Massachusetts,  and  were  denied  the 
privileges  of  the  people  of  Connecticut,  the  more  unpa>y 
they  were.  Therefore,  determining  if  possible  to  rid  thrtn- 
selves  from  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts,  and  to  enjoy 
the  privileges  oi' the  other  inhabitants  of  the  colony,  they 
preferred  a  memorial  to  the  general  assembly  of  Connectj. 
cut  in  May,  1747,  representing  that  they  had,  without  their 
consent,  or  ever  being  consulted  in  the  affair,  been  put  wn. 
der  the  jurisdiction  of  Massachusetts  :  that  as  they  were 
>vithin  the  limits  of  the  royal  charter,  they  had  a  just  and 
legal  right  to  the  government  and  privileges  which  it  had 
granted ;  and  that  they  were  deprived  of  their  charter 
rights :  that  the  '"gislature  had  no  right  to  put  them  under 
another  gov£-.iment;  but  that  the  charter  required  that 
the  same  protection,  government  and  privileges  should  be 
extended  to  them  which  were  enjoyed  by  the  other  inhabit- 
ants of  the  colony.  For  these  reasons  they  prayed  to  be 
taken  under  the  government  of  this  colony,  and  to  be  ad- 
mitted  to  the  liberty  and  privileges  of  its  other  inhabit- 
ants. 

The  legislature,  sensible  of  the  weight  of  the  reasons 
suggested,  and  willing  to  grant  the  petition,  provided  it 
coufd  be  done  amicably,  with  the  consent  of  the  govern- 
ment of  Massachusetts,  appointed  Jonathan  Trumbull  and 
John  Bulkley,  EsqVs.  Benjamin  Hall  and  capt.  Roger 
Wolcott,  or  any  three  of  them,  commissioners,  to  meet  and 
confer  with  such  gentlemen  as  should  be  appointed  by  the 
province  of  Massachusetts  bay,  at  such  time  and  place  as 
should  be  agreed  upon  by  them,  to  hear,  consider  and  re- 
port to  the  next  assembly  after  their  conference. 

The  legislature,  after  a  trial  of  two  years,  finding  that  no 
amicable  settlementrelative  to  the  claim  of  jurisdiction  over 
the  towns  which  had  preferred  their  memorial,  could  be 
made,  and  in  consequence  of  the  agents  of  said  towns  urging 
that  the  agreement  relative  to  them  was  made  through  mis- 
take :  that  this  government  had  received  no  eqqivalent  for 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  said  towns :  that  the  inhabitants 
■were  thereby  deprived  of  their  charter  rights  i  that  the 
Agreement  never  had  been  completed  but  in  part:  and 
that  it  never  had  been  confirmed  by  his  majesty  :  the  as- 

D     1  «•-.»  Bembly  resolved,  "  that  as  it  did  not  appear  that  ever  the 

Resolution       .^    J  ^i!    j  •      j  -..  ^  v^  ^ 

of  the  As-  saifl  agreement  had  received,  so  it  never  ought  to  receive 
nembiy  re-  the  royal  confirmation  :  and  that  as  the  respective  govern- 
lative  to    ments  could  not*give  up,  exchange  or  alter  their  jurisdic* 


Chap.  x.  I  Citap.  X. 


CONNECTICUT. 


-597 


tions;  so  the  snid  agreement,  so  far  as  it  respccUi  juri^dic-  Book  II. 
,1011,  is  void :     And  thcrcujjon  this  assembly  do  declare, 


that  all  the  said  inhabitants  which  live  south  of  the  line 
fixed  by  the  Massachusetts  charter,  are  within,  and  have 
a  right  to  the  privileges  of  this  government,  the  aforesaid 
agreement  notwithstanding." 

The  assembly  further  resolved,  that  as  there  might  be 
some  uncertainty^  both  with  respect  to  the  beginning  and 
running  of  the  line,  it  was  necessary  to  ascertain  the  same 
according  to  the  royal  charters,  to  the  respective  govern- 
ments. Jonathan  Trumbull,  John  Bulkley,  Elisba  Wil- 
liams, and  Joseph  Fowter,  Esq'rs.  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee, to  joirt  with  commissioners  from  the  government  of 
Massachusetts,  to  ascertain  and  fix  the  line :  and  provided 
that,  if  the  legisldture  of  Massachusetts  should  refuse  to 
appoint  commissioners,  or  in  case  they  could  not  agree, 
that  then  the  agent,  in  London,  be  directed  to  lay  the  case 
before  his  majesty,  and  pray  that  he  would  appoint  com- 
missioners, for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  and  fixing  said 
line. 

The  legislature,  having  taken  the  towns  of  Woodstock, 
Sufllield,  Enfield,  and  Somers,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  this 
colony,  and  having  determined  to  maintain  their  charter 
rights,  within  two  and  three  years  after,  ordained,  that  tl\e 
ecclesiastical  societies  io  those  towns  should  enjoy  all  the 
privileges  of  such  societies,  according  to  the  constitution 
and  laws  of  the  colonyi 

The  province  of  Massachusetts  was  totally  opposed  to 
relinquishing  the  right  of  jurisdiction  over  the  towns  whick 
had  been  settled  by  the  inhabitants,  and  uader  the  gov- 
ernment of  it.  A  petition  was  preferred  by  the  agent  of 
the  province  to  his  majesty,  in  opposition  to  the  proceed- 
ings bf  the  legislature  of  Connecticut.  The  legislature  of 
Connecticut,  suspecting  that  such  a  measure  would  be 
adopted,  had  previously  desired  the  governor  to  make  a 
statement  of  the  case,  and  prepare  all  the  proofs  relative 
to  it,  and  transmit  them  to  the  agent  of  the  colony,  in 
London.  He  was  directed  to  make  the  best  use  of  them, 
which  he  could,  for  the  defence  of  the  commonwealth, 
a^inst  any  motion  which  might  be  made  in  behalf  of 
Massachusetts,  for  the  establishment  of  any  former  line  or 
agreement.  If  it  should  be  judged  advisable^  and  most 
expedient,  by  the  best  counsel  he  could  obtain,  to  petition 
for  commissioners,  to  ascertain,  and  run  the  line  between 
M!»ssachusetts  and  Connecticut,  according  to  their  respec- 
tive charters,  that  he  should  then  adopt  that  measure. 
When  they  were  apprised  by  letters  from  their  ageiit, 

N  2 


1747. 

the  town* 
which  had 
b«?n  set- 
tled by 
Mas^a- 
rhuMtts, 
Maj,l74fl. 


Oct.  175?j 

the  socie- 
ties! in 
Wood- 
stock, Xc> 
vested 
with  the 
privilcf^es 
of  otlier 
societies. 


>i'4 


-iya 


HlbTOKY  or 


Chap.  Xf. 


I'ookII.  th.-it  Mr.  Bol land  had  preferred  a  petiiioii  to  his  majesty 

v.^-N/''^^  on  the  subject,  in  behalf  of  the  province  of  Massachuscttv 

IT/iS.    a  commitiec  wa«  appointed  to  prepare  a  plan  and  survr, 

Mil)', 1755.  of  the  line  run  by  the  commissioncrH  in  1713,  between  thi- 

two  colonics,  and  the  desire  of  the  said  towns  to  be  under 

the  jurisdiction  of  Connecticut,  and  to  enjoy  the  privilegc> 

granted  to  its  inhabitants  by  the  royal  charter ;  and  thf 

evidence  of  their  desire  at,  and  ever  since  the  running  o> 

the  line,  in  171.3;  with  all  other  exhibits  which  could  br 

serviceable  in  the  case :  and  directions  were  given,  that 

they  should  be  transmitted,  as  soon  as  might  be,  to  ihr 

agent  in  Great-Britain.* 

The  colony  was  successful  in  maintaining  its  claims  and 
jurisdiction,  and  the  inhabitants  of  those  towns  have  unin- 
terruptedly enjoyed  the  government  and  immunities  of  tlir 
people  of  Connecticut,  from  that,  to  the  f>resent  titae. 


I 


ship,  1753, 


CHAPTER  XI. 

A  Spanish  ship  arrives  at  J\few-London,  in  distreis,  Thf 
cargo  is  unladen,  and  stored  in  that  port.  When  it  wai 
called  for  by  the  supercargo,  a  grettt  proportion  of  it  could 
not  be  found,  Don  Joseph  Miguel,  the  supercargo,  refu- 
ses to  sail,  without  the  whole  of  his  cargo.  Petitions  iht 
assembly.  The  resolution  of  the  legislature  respecting  it. 
Ferment  in  the  government,  in  consequence  of  it, 

ABOUT  this  time  an  unhappy  event  took  place,  dis- 
honourable to  the  colony,  injurious  to  foreigners, 
and  which  occasioned  a  great  and  general  uneasiness,  and 
many  unfriendly  suspicions  and  imputations,  with  respcc 
to  some  of  the  principal  characters  in  the  colony.  A  Span- 
ish ship  coming  into  the  port  of  New-London,  in  distress, 
ran  upon  a  reef  of  rocks,  and  so  damaged  the  vessel,  that  if 
viras  necessary  to  unlade  her,  and  put  her  freight  into  store? 
at  New-Lonaon.  The  cargo  was  delivered  into  the  cus- 
tody of  Joseph  Hill,  Esq.  collector  of  the  port  of  New-Lon- 
don. The  (Supercargo  was  Don  Joseph  Miguel  de  St.  Juan. 
That  he  might  sail  with  his  cargo  early  in  the  spring,  he 
obtained  a  ship  of  about  two  hundred  tons,  and  was  ready 
to  sail  in  April.  But  when  he  had  shipped  part  of  his  car-- 
go,  other  parts  of  it  were  withholden  from  him,  or  lost,  anO 
*  Colony  recotds  in  th«  sevtrtt)  years  to  which  reference  is  had< 


(Oiild  not, 
As  he  coul 
.:ail  withou 
cation  for  i 
preferred  a 
rival  in  lh( 
1)3,  bound 
lie  had  sti 
Hill,  Esq. 
vessel  in  A 
,liipped,  til 
lost,  and  ( 
might  rela 
secure  it  a 
be  discharj 

The  ass( 
morial,  res 
it  was  eith 
were  by  n< 
seated,  tha 
have  put  a 
when  he  si 
lectori  th 
ered  his  m 
why  the  r 
that  they  c 
ter  and  ma 
the  goods  i 
the  petitioi 
the  petitioi 
the  afiair. 
titioner  w< 
granted:  \ 
to  a  forei^ 
the  gcverr 
said  Don 
and  nation 
ered,  iu  < 
direct  a  ful 
have  been 
able  meas 
tice  in  sai< 

Before  i 
rally  knoi 
least,  thai 
«argo,  ha( 


s  majesty 
achuHcUs, 
nd  survf V 
;twecn  the 
►  be  under 
p^ivilegc^ 
;  and  ihi 
unning  o> 
could  bf 
jiven,  that 
>e,  to  ih( 

laims  and 
lave  uiiin- 
ties  of  iho 
litne. 


Chap.'XI. 
,  ojild  not,  by  i 


CONNECTICUT. 

of  his,  be  found  and 


'.'99 
d.  Book  II. 


re»s.  Th'- 
'hen  it  wtti 
■  of  it  could 
argOy  refu- 
Petitions  iht 
specting  it. 


ilace,  dis- 
foreigners, 
siness,  and 
th  respect 
'.  A  Span- 
n  distress. 
•>se\,  that  if 
into  store- 
)  the  cus- 
New-Lon- 
e  St.  Juan, 
spring,  he 
was  ready 
of  his  car^ 
tr  lost,  an«J 
had< 


lueanH  ol  fiis,  he  found  and  rccovi 
.\s  he  could  obtain  no  relief,  and  was  determined  not  lo 
;ail  without  the  recovery  of  his  cargo,  or  some  indimnifi-  1753. 
cation  for  the  loss  of  it,  be  waited  until  October,  and  then  Oct,  1*^3. 
prpferred  a  memorial  to  the  assembly,  representing  his  ar- 
rival in  the  snow  St.  Joseph  and  St.  Helena,  from  Ilavan- 
)ia,  bound  to  Cadiz,  at  the  port  of  New-London  ;  and  that 
Jic  had  stored  bis  cargo  there,  in  the  custody  of  Joseph 
Hill,  Esq.  the  collector;  and  that  when  he  had  procured  a 
vessel  in  April,  and  re<{uired  his  cargo,  that  it  might  be  re- 
:,liipped,  that  a  considerable  part  of  it  was  withholden, 
lost,  and  embezzled ;  and  praying  for  relief,  or  that  he 
might  reiand  that  part  of  his  cargo  which  remained,  and 
secure  it  at  their  expense,  and,  also,  that  his  men  might 
be  discharged. 

The  assembly,  after  hearing  and  deliberating  on  the  me- 
morial, resolveu,  That  whatever  losses  he  had  sustained, 
it  was  either  by  means  to  them  unknown,  or  which  they 
were  by  no  means  able  to  prevent.  The  assembly  repre- 
sented, that  nothing  appeared  to  Uicm,  but  that  he  might 
have  put  all  his  cargo  on  board,  about  the  23d  uf  April, 
when  he  shipped  part  of  it :  That  Joseph  Hill,  Esq.  col- 
lector^ the  port  of  New-London,  had,  at  that  time,  deliv- 
ered his  money,  and  part  of  his  cargo,  and  they  knew  not 
why  the  residue  was  not  put  on  board.  They  resolved, 
that  they  could  not,  accorqing  to  law,  discharge  the  mas- 
ter and  mariners,  nor  oblige  and  compel  Mr.  HiTl  to  receive 
the  goods  again  into  his  custody,  according  to  (ibe  desire  oi 
the  petitioner ;  especially  at  their  own  cost  and  risk,  as 
the  petitioner  declared  that  he  would  be  at  no  expense  in 
the  affair.  It  was  declared.  That  the  requests  of  the  pe- 
titioner were  unreasonable,  and,  therefore,  could  not  be 
granted:  but,  that  as  protection  and  assistance  were  dut 
to  a  foreigner,  cast  among  them,  the  assembly  did  advisr^i' 
the  governor  to  grant  all  due  protection  and  relief  to  the 
said  Don  Miguel,  according  to  the  laws  of  trade,  nature, 
and  nations.  The  governor  was  also  desired  and  empow- 
ered, in  case  the  said  Joseph  Miguel  should  desire  it,  to 
direct  a  ftill  search  after  any  part  of  his  cargo,  which  might 
have  been  embezzled,  or  lost;  and  to  take  all  such  reason- 
able measures  therein,  as  should  be  necessary  to  do  jus- 
tice in  said  case.* 

Before  the  meeting  of  the  freemen  in  April,  it  was  gene- 
rally known  that  the  Spaniards  had  been  robbed ;  or,  af 
least,  that  an  important  part  of  a  rich  and  very  valuable 
«argo,  had  been  stolen,  embezzled,  or,  by  some  means, 
*  Records  of  the  colony. 


300 


HISTORY  Of 


Chap.  XF. 


Book  IT.  lost,  w  kept  hack  from  the  owners ;  and  it  occasionod  a 
N^'^^"^/  great  ferment  through  the  colony.  It  was  imagined,  ihat 
1753,  It  might  involve  the  colony  in  great  difficulties;  that  it 
might  be  obliged  to  indemnify  tht  owners,  and  that  it 
would  bring  abeavy  debt  upon  it;  or  that  it  might  tfTcci 
a  rupture,  and  hostilities  between  the  two  nations.  Others 
were  moved  with  a  sense  of  honour,  sympathy,  and  jus- 
tice. They  Were  ashamed  and  grieved,  that,  when  fo- 
reigners, in  distress,  had  cast  themselves  upon,  not  only 
a  civilized,  but  christian  people,  they  had  been  plundered 
and  injured,  as  though  tney  had  fallen  among  heathens, 
thieves,  and  robbers.  All  the  ibplings  of  covetousness, 
honour,  sympathy,  and  justice,  w6re  touched.  Great 
blame  was  imputed  to  some  of  the  principal  characters 
in  the  colony,  especially  to  governor  Wolcott.  It  was 
imagined  by  many,  that  he  had  not  taken  such  care,  and 
adopted  such  measures,  to  secure  the  property  of  those 
foreigners,  and  to  save  them  harmless,  as  he  ought  to 
have  done.  Whether  there  was  any  just  foundation  for 
faulting  him  or  not,  it  so  disafiected  the  freemen,  that, 
notwithstandipg  his  former  popularity,  he  lost  their  suf- 
frages, and  Thomas  Fitch,  Esq.  was  chosen  governor,  in 
his  place.  Mr.  Hill  did  not  escape  a  share  of  blame, 
among  others.  How  such  a  quantity  of  stores,  of  various 
kinds,  should  be  lost,  or  embezzled,  without  his  know- 
ledge or  privity,  and  that  no  thorough  search  should  be 
made  for  them,  in  so  many  months,  is  very  unaccount- 
able. But  where  the  fault  lay,  or  what  became  of  the 
lost  goods,  never  came  to  public  view.  Nor  does  it  ap- 
pear that  the  colony  was  ever  put  to  any  extraordinary 
expense  or  trouble,  on  that  account.  The  war  was  now 
commencing,  and  private  concerns  were  neglected  and 
forgotten;  while  national  interests,  of  greater  moment, 
and  more  general  concern,  engrossed  the  public  mind, 
both  in  Europe  and  America. 


Jhap.  XII. 


CONIfECTICUT. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


i7J0. 


flif  history  of  the  Collfgf  continued  from  Chapter  1.  its 
ftate  under  the  rectorship  of  Mr.  Wiliiums.  Domitions 
made  to  it  while  he  presided.  He  resigns,  and  the  Rrv, 
Thomas  Clap  was  chosen  president,  Ji  new  charter  grant' 
td.  -A  nexo  college,  or  Connecticut  hall,  built.  Professor 
of  Divinity  settled.  Labors  and  donations.  Enemies  of 
the  college  write  against  it.  Petition  the  assembly  to  lake 
it  out  of  the  hands  of  the  corporation,  appoint  visitors,  fyc.  ^ 
The  president  appears  and  pleads  the  cause  of  the  college 
before  the  assembly*  Chapel  is  built,  An  account  of  do-r 
natioTis  is  interspersed, 

RECTOR  Williams,  was  a  gentleman  of  solid  learn- 
ing, great  prudence,  and  popular  talents.  He  was 
rector  about  thirteen  years,  during  which  period,  the  col- 
lege enjoyed  peace  and  flourished.  A  number  of  valuable 
donations  were  made  to  it.  In  1730,  the  trustees  received 
a  deed  of  628  acres  of  land  in  Salisbury,  of  Messrs.  Fisk 
and  Leavins,  in  exchange  for  lands  given  them  many  years 
before,  by  major  James  Fitch.  The  title  to  it  had  been 
controverted,  and  it  was  supposed  that  the  trustees  had 
expended  neatly  half  the  value  of  the  land  in  defence  of  the 
litle. 

In  October,  1 732,  the  General  Assembly  made  a  gene-  Grant  of 
rous  donation  of  1300  acres  of  land  to  the  college  ;  300  ^^^^"'["2^^ 
acres  in  each  of  the  new  townships  of  Norfolk,   Canaan,     ' 
Goshen,  Cornwall  and  Kent.     A  patent  was  given  in  con- 
linnatioa  of  the  donation  in  May,  1 74 1 . 

The  Rev.  Dr.  George  BEaxELEV,  then  dean  of  Derry,  Dmn 
in  Ireland,  afterward  bishop  of  Cloyne,  made  a  number  R'  «"'*elcy\i 
of  donations  to  the  college.  He  came  into  America,  with 
a  view  to  found  an  episcopal  college.  He  made  a  pur- 
chase of  a  country  seat,  with  nearly  an  hundred  acres  of 
land,  at  Newport,  in  Rhode-Ishnd.  He  resided  there  a- 
bout  two  years,  in  which  time,  he  formed  a  correspond- 
ence with  rector  Williams,  and  became  acquainted  with 
several  other  principal  gentlemen  in  Connecticut.  From 
them  he  learned  the  state  and  genius  of  Yale  College.  He, 
therefore,  while  he  resided  at  Newport,  made  a  present  of 
all  his  own  works  to  the  college.  He  finally  gave  up  the 
design  of  founding  a  college  in  North  America,  and  return^ 
cd  to  London. 

Aftci'  his  return,  in  1733,  b^  gave  the  rents  of  his  farm 


■* 


30i 


IJISTORY  OF 


C'HAf.  XII. 


f)| 


Rook  n.  lo  ilir  college,  (o  \yc  approprintctl  to  the  maintenance 
s^-v"^/  the  three  best  scbohrs  in  the  Greek  an»l  Ijatin  hnmjagp^ 
1732.     who  should  reside  at  the  college,  at  least  nine  months  in  a 
each  of  the  three  years. 


year,  in  eacii  of  tiic  tnrcc  years,  between  their  first  aiKJ 
second  degrees.  He  directed,  that  on  the  6th  of  May,  at,. 
nually,  or  in  case  that  should  be  the  Lr)rd's  day,  then  on 
the  7th,  the  candidates  should  be  publicly  examined  hy 
the  president  or  rector,  and  the  senior  episcopal  missionary 
within  this  colony,  who  shall  be  then  present  ;  and  in  cast 
none  be  present,  then  by  the  president  only.  And  thui  jr, 
case  the  president  and  senior  missionary  should  not  agrci 
in  their  sentiments,  who  are  the  best  scholars,  the  cast 
.should  be  determined  by  lot.  It  was  further  directed,  ih;i: 
any  surplusage  of  money  which  should  happen  by  any  vh 
cancies,  should  be  distributed  in  Greek  and  Latin  bookh, 
to  such  under-graduate  students,  as  should  make  the  be^t 
composition,  or  declamation  in  the  Latin  tongue,  upon  sucii 
a  moral  theme  as  should  be  given  them. 

This  donation  happily  answered  the  design  of  the  donor. 
proving  a  great  and  lasting  incitement  in  the  students  lu 
excel  in  the  knowledge  of  the  classics. 

At  the  same  time,  Dr.  Berkeley,  in  pursuit  of  his  be- 
nevolent and  noble  designs,  transmitted  to  the  college  thi 
finest  collection  of  books  which  had  ever  before,  at  any 
one  time,  been  sent  into  America.  It  consisted  of  nearly  ;•, 
thousand  volumes,  including  those  which  he  h&d  sent  be- 
fore ;  260  of  these  were  fohos,  and  generally  very  large. 
It  was  estimated  that  the  collection  cost  ^t  least  four  hun> 
dred  pounds  sterling. 

Mr.  Williams,  though  highly  acceptable  lo  the  students, 
and  to  the  colony  In  general,  was  nevertheless  obliged  to 
resign  his  office,  and  leave  the  college,  on  account  ol 
boddy  indisposition.  The  sea  air  and  southerly  winds  ai 
New-Haven,  so  aflected  his  constitution,  as,  sometimes,  to 
incapacitale  him  for  business.  He  resigned  his  office  the 
Ifestof  October,  1739.  He  received  the  hearty  thanks  of 
the  trustees,  for  his  good  services  to  the  college. 

After  his  resignation,  he  retired  to  bis  seat  at  Weathers- 
field.  He  soon  became  a  member  of  the  assembly,  and 
speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives.  He  was  further 
promoted,  to  be  one  of  the  judges  of  the  superior  court,  and 
to  the  command  of  a  regiment,  in  an  intended  expedition 
against  Canada.  He  afterwards  went  to  England,  to  re- 
ceive the  wages  due  to  himself  and  his  regiment.  Havit^ 
contracted  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  Dr.  Doddridge, 
and  several  other  gentlemen  of  distinction,  in  that  country, 
'^nd  married  a  lady  of  superi,or  accvmplishnxeats,  hp  r; 


I  H4r. 


XII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


363 


»imcd  to  Wrathci*sfirl(].     Here,  afu;r  a  pious,  useful  ami  Rook  11. 
.onorobic  life,  he  died,  July  34th,  1755.  v^-v*^ 

He  received  his  education  at  Harvard  college,  in  Cam-    17.32. 
bridge,  in  New-England,  where  he  was  graduated,  Annorharutiet 
!)omiiii)  1711.     He  was  well  furnished  with  academical  ^.'|^'^'^'^ 
iiifrature,  was  a  thorough  ralvinist,  and  is  characterized 
,.  one  of  the  best  of  men.     Dr.  Doddridge,  in  a  letter  to  a 
Tiend,  writes  thus  of  him :  "  1  look  upon  Col.  Williams  to 
•  be  one  of  the  most  valuable  men  upon  earth  :  he  has  join- 
ed to  an  ardent  sense  of  religion,  solid  learning,  consum- 
mate prudence,  great  candor,  and  sweetness  of  temper, 

■  and  a  certain  nobleness  of  soul,  capable  of  contriving 
•and  acting  the  greatest  things,  without  seeming  to  be 

■  conscious  of  his  having  done  them." 

The  Irusteoe,  sensible  of  the  great  inconveniences  which 
lie  college  had  suffered,  by  the  long  intervals  in  which  it 
had  been  without  a  rector,  proceeded  immediately  to  a  new 
rlioice,  and  the  Rev.  Thomas  Clap,  minister  of  Windham, 
was  chosen  successor  to  rector  Williams.  A  council  of 
ricighboring  elders  and  churches,  advised  Mr.  Clap  to  ac- 
cept the  appointment.  Mr.  Clap  viewing  it,  as  the  coun- 
cil had  done,  as  a  call  to  greater  and  more  extensive  use- 
fulness, complied  with  their  advice. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees,  on  the  2d  of  April,  1 740,  Insfalla- 
he  was  installed.    He  first  gave  his  consent  to  the  confes-  {J,'J."q//p'^' 
(ion  of  faith  and  rules  of  church  discipline,  agreed  upon  April  2d,' 
liy  the  churches  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  assembled  1740. 
by  delegation  at  Saybrook,   in  the  year  1 708  ;  and  also 
ffave  the  trustee^  satisfaction,  with  respect  to  the  sound- 
ness of  his  principles,  according  to  their  act  i  i  1722. 

The  trustees  and  students  were  then  assembled  in  the 
college  hall,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Whitman,  moderator,  made 
a  prayer,  and  one  of  the  students  delivered  an  oration 
adapted  to  the  occasion.  The  moderator  then  made  a 
f^pecch,  committing  the  instruction  and  government  of  the 
college  to  rector  Clap ;  and  he  concluded  with  an  ora- 
tion. 

The  committee  of  the  first  society  in  Windham,  made 
application  to  the  trustees  to  give  them  a  recompense  for 
the  removal  of  their  pastor.  Upon  this,  they  mutually 
agreed  to  refer  it  to  the  judgment  of  three  gentlemen  of  the 
General  Assembly,  what  compensation  they  should  have. 
Those  gentlemen,  considering  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clap  had 
been  in  the  ministry  at  Windham  fourteen  years,  which  in 
their  estimate,  was  about  half  the  term  of  a  minister's  lifo 
ill  general,  judged  that  the  society  ought  to  have  half  the 
orice  of  his  settlement.     This  was  about  fifty-three  pounds 


liil'11 


m 


HISTORY  OF 


t-MAP.  Kll. 


1740. 


Book  II.  ulr  ili.ip.  Upon  the  memorial  of  the  Irusleps,  ( j..  Grncral 
Assonil)!}'  grunted  that  sum  to  the  people  of  Windham,  as  a 
compensation. 

No  sooner  had  rector  Clap  entered  upon  his  offirr,  than 
he  endeavored,  by  all  means  in  his  power,  to  advance  tho 
college  to  as  great  a  degree  of  perfection  as  possible. 
There  had  never  been  made  a  complete  body  of  laws, 
for  regulating  the  college,  nor  had  the  customs  and  mtni- 
ners  of  other  colleges  been  sufficiently  made  known.  Oa 
the  first  founding  of  the  college,  it  was  agreed,  that  when- 
no  special  provision  was  made  by  the  trustees,  the  laws  oi 
HarvurtJ  college  should  be  the  rule.  About  the  time  thf; 
college  was  fixed  at  New-Haven,  a  short  body  of  laws  was 
drawn  up.  Kiil  this  was  only  in  writing,  and  each  schoj. 
ar,  on  his  adtnission,  was  put  to  the  labor  of  transcribin;; 
it.  Tliis,  upon  trial,  was  found  defective,  and  several  oi 
its  l.iws  were  become  obsolete.  •  Rector  Clap,  therelhrc, 
considered  it  as  a  business  of  prime  importance,  to  com- 
pile a  complete  body  of  laws  for  the  college. 

As  soon  as  he  was  fixed  in  his  post,  at  the  desire  of  the 
trustees,  he  began  this  business.  A  large  body  of  laws 
was  drawn  up,  partly  out  of  the  ancient  Taws  of  this  col- 
lege, partly  from  the  principal  and  most  important  custoijis 
wiiich  had  obtained,  partly  from  the  laws  of  Harvard  col- 
lege, and  partly  from  the  university  of  Oxford.  To  tho,  o, 
there  was  an  addition  of  some  new  ones.  This  was  pe- 
rused by  n  committee  of  the  trustees,  and  by  most  of  them 
at  their  own  houses  ;  and  after  several  readings  before  iho 
board  of  trustees,  in  1745,  obtained  their  sanction. 

The  rector  also,  about  the  same  time,  collected  and 
wrote  under  proper  heads,  the  customs  of  the  college 
which  had  from  time  to  time  obtained,  and  had  been  esian- 
lished  by  practice.  By  these,  the  rules  by  which  the  offi- 
cers and  students  of  the  college  should  conduct  themselves, 
became  better  known  and  fixed,  and  the  government  of  the 
college  became  more  steady  and  uniform,  and  less  sove- 
reign and  arbitrary.  •        1"^:  ""    '.   ' 

Before  this  time  there  had  been  no  convenient  arrange- 
ment, nor  catalogue  of  the  books.  The  rector  arranged 
nf  ihHU*^'  all  the  biK)ks  in  proper  oi-der.     In  honor  to  the  Rev.  Dr. 


Arrange- 
ment and 


braiy. 
174'.>. 


Berkeley  for  his  liberal  donation^  his  books  wiere  placed 
by  then>selves  at  one  end  of  the  library.  He  also  made 
three  catalogues  of  the  books  ;  one  as  they  stood  in  their 
proper  order  on  the  shelves  ;  another  in  alphabetical  or- 
der 5  and  a  third,  in  which  the  most  valuable  books  were 
placed  under  proper  heads,  according  to  the  subject  matter 
of  them ;  together  with  figures  referring  to  the  number  and 


r»Hp.  xif. 


CONNECTICUT. 


305 


rlare of  rach  l)Ook.     By  which  morms  it  might  easily  \yc  Book  U. 
known  what  books  were  in  the  library  upon  any  particular  v^'v^v^ 
Mihjcrf,  and  where  they  might  be  found  with  the  utmost  ex-    1741. 
rxJition.     This  catalogue  was  printed,  and   had  a  liap|>y 
ifiiiiionre  on  the  diligence  and  industry  of  the  scholar:^  in 
rfi)diiig  them. 

Aljout  this  (ime  the  college  received  another  considera- 
blr  boncfit.  The  legislature  augmented  their  annual  grant 
to  the  college,  by  which  the  rector  was  enabled  to  support 
throo  tutors ;  one  to  each  class,  including  himself.  This 
ronioved  a  considerable  inconvenience  which  the  col  ege 
had  befoi'c  suiTered,  by  one  tutdr's  hearing  two  classes.  It 
hiid  another  benefit ;  the  scholars  studied  and  recited  much 
more  than  they  had  done  in  the  preceding  years. 

Mr.  Anthony  Nougier,  of  Fairiicld,  in  1743,  by  his  last  Mr.  Nou- 
will.  bestowed  on  the  college  twenty  seven  pounds  sterling,  ?'*=/'*  **' 
10  be  put  out  at  interest,  the  amount  ot  which  was  pnnci-  174.J 
pally  to  be  appropriated  to  the  maintenance  of  the  rector 
and  tutors  forev^.     This  donation  was  received  the  next 
year,  and  was  employed  according  to  the  direction  of  the 
donoi^« 

The  college  was  how  becdme  ixumerous  and  respecta- 
ble :  it  had  educated  a  large  jiurabe^  of  meo,  who  were  pil- 
lars in  the  commonwealth  and  stars  of  distinguished  lustre 
in  the  firmament  of  the  church.  The  under-graduates 
amounted  annually  to  eighty  or  more  :  as  many  as  twenty 
upon  an  average  were  graduated  each  commencement* 
The  rector  and  trustees  conceived  the  idea  that  their  pow- 
ers ought  to  be  enlarged ;  atid  that  a  new  charter  should  be 
given,  in  which  the  founders  and  officers  of  the  college 
shou'd  be  named,  more  agreeably  to  the  forms  and  U3age3 
of  other  colleges.  It  ^as  imagined  that  this  wdilld  make 
them  and  their  respective  offices  better  known  abroad,  and 
five  the  college  a  greater  importance  and  respectability, 
the  fector,  therefore,  who  had  a  very  accurate  and  er  ten- 
sive knowledge  of  the  forms,  powers,  and  usages  of  colleg- 
es, made  a  draft  of  a  new  charter,  in  which  the  trustees 
were  incorporated,  by  the  name  of  the  president  and  fel- 
lows of  Yale  College,  in  New-Haven.  This  draft  was 
revised  by  the  honorable  Thomas  Fitch,  Esq.  afterwards 
governor  of  the  colony,  approved  by  the  trustees,  and  or- 
dered by  them  to  be  presented  to  the  honorable  general  as- 
sembly for  their  sanction.  It  was  granted  at  the  session  in 
May,  the  next  year.    A  copy  is  here  exhibited.  "  '^ 


.^" 


•?rtb 


tllSTOIlV  OF 


CiiAf.  xir 


FiooK  II.  Hv  riiK  (I«»v(,iivoa  \nd  C<mr.\NV  of  liis  Majesty'b  rolonv 

^^■^'"^^  c»((.'oxNE<  Tit  IT,  in  Nk\v-En<ji,a\ii,  in  Amkrica. 

1 7  j;>.     .In  .'lit  for  the  mort  full  and  comvl<te  tKlnhlishmtnt  of\\n 

c  I  .rirr  of      Coi.i.KOF.  m  NeW-Kavuv,  and  for  enlarf(infr  the  ponn- 

nX'"''  nudprixilefrfs  thereof. 

"  '  Whcrrns,  upon  the  jietition  ofsovrnil  wpII  diftposod  and 

public  Hpirilnl  pcihons,  rxpressing  their  ticsire  tliiit  full 
tilxity  an<l  privilege  might  l»«»  granted  unto  certain  iindrr- 
takcrs  for  ihe  fonn«ling,  suiliihle  endowing,  and  orticrin;; 
ii  rollec^atc  sthool  within  this  colony,  wherein  youth  mi|;lit 
1)1!  instructed  in  the  arts  and  sciences,  the  governor  ami 
(onipany,  in  general  court  assembled,  at  New-Haven,  otj 
the  Otjj  day  of  October,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou, 
sand  seven  hundred  and  one,  granted  unto  the  Kpy. 
Alessi^.  James  Noycs,  IsraeK'haunrey,  Thomas  Buckint; 
liam,  Abraham  Pierson,  Samuel  IVJathor,  Samuel  Andrew. 
Timothy  Woodbridge,  James  Pierpont,  Noadiah  Ilusscll. 
and  Joseph  Webb,  who  were  jiroposed  to  stand  as  trus- 
tees, partners  or  undertakers  for  the  sftid  society,  and  to 
thejr  successors,  full  liberty,  right  and  privilege  to  erech 
iorm,  direct,  order,  establish,  improve,  and  a(  all  times,  in 
all  suitable  ways,  to  encourage  the  said  school,  in  somr 
convenient  jilacc  in  this  colony  J  and  granted  sundry  pow- 
ers and  privileges  for  the  attaining  the  end  aforesaid. 

And  whereas  (he  said  trustees,  partners  or  undertakers, 
in  pursuance  of  the  aforesaid  grant,  liberty  and  license, 
founded  a  collegiate  school  at  New-Haven,  known  by  the 
name  of  Yale  College  ;  which  has  received  the  favonfra 
bic  beiK'factions  of  many  liberal  and  piously  disposed  per- 
sons, aud  under  the  blessing  of  Almighty  God,  has  trained 
vp  kiany  worthy  persons  for  the  service  of  God,  in  the 
state  as  well  as  in  the  church. 

And  whereas,  the  general  court  of  this  cokmy,  assem- 
bled at  New-Haven,  the  tenth  day  of  October,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty-three, 
did  explain  and  enlarge  the  aforesaid  powers  and  privilc 
ges,  granted  to  the  aforesaid  partners,  trustees,  or  under- 
takers and  their  soccessor?,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid ;  as 
by  the  respective  acts,  reference  thereunto  being  had,  moif 
fully  antl  at  large  may  appear. 

And  V'hereas,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Thomas  Clap,  Samuel 
Whitman,  Jared  Elliot,  Ebenezer  Williams,  Jonathan 
M^rsh,  Samuel  Cooke,  Samuel  Whittelsey,  Joseph  Noyes, 
Anthony  Stoddard,  Benjamin  Lord  and  Daniel  Wadsworth. 
the  present  trustees,  partners  and  undertakers  of  the  said 
School,  and  successors  of  those  before  mentioned,  have  pe- 
thioned  that  the  said  school,  with  all  the  rights,  powers,  priv- 


Chap.  XII, 


CONNECTICUT. 


.107 


,|rgr«  mill  intprosts  thrrrof,  may  be  ronfirmr'tJ ;  .iivl  ihnt  nortKll. 
sucli  olhrr  ad<lilioiial|)()wrrsan(l  privilri;cH  may  be  urani-  v^"><'^«*^ 
fil  as  sliitll  be  iK'rtN>ury  tor  ihe  onlorinu  ami  managin;^  Jli**    171'.. 
said  srhool  in  the  most  advuntagrons  and  benrlkial  mann<  r 
tor  ihr  promoting  all  f^ood  litcmtnrc,  in  the  present  and 
»urrceding  grnerations.     Tliertrore, 

TheGovKRNOR  and  Comi-anv  of  his  ninjesly'.H  said  Kn- 
jlish  colony  of  Connecticut,  in  general  court  a^-ii'mblefl, 
ihis  ninth  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  1  jord  (»iie  thousaii- 1 
Mven  hundred  and  forty-live,  enact,  ordain,  and  declaif, 
.uid  by  these  presents  it  is  enacted,  ordained  and  declared, 

I.  That  the  said  Thomas  Clap,  Samuel  Whitman,  Jarrd 
Klliot,  Ebenezer  Williams,  Jonathan  Marsh,  SamutlCooke, 
Samuel  Whiltclsey,  Joseph  Noyes,  Anthony  Sto<ldar<l, 
Benjamin  Lord,  and  Daniel  Wadsworth,  shall  be  an  incor- 
})orate  society,  or  bodv  corporate  and  politic ;  and  shall 
hereafter  be  called  and  knovrn  by  the  name  of  the  Presi- 
dent AND  Fellows  or  Yale  College,  in  New-IIaven  ; 
and  that,  by  the  same  name,  they  and  their  successors  shall 
and  may  have  perpetual  succession;  and  shall  and  may 
be  persons  capable  in  the  law  to  plead  and  be  imjileaded, 
defend  and  be  defended,  and  answer  and  be  answered  un- 
to ;  and  also  to  have,  take,  possess,  acquire,  purchase,  or 
otherwise  receive  lands,  tenements,  hereditaments,  goods, 
chattels,  or  ojther  estates,  to  grant,  demise,  lease,  use,  man- 
age, or  improve,  for  the  good  and  benefit  of  the  said  col- 
lege, according  to  the  tenor  of  the  donation,  and  their  dis<- 
cretion.  , 

II.  That  ^11  giAs,  grants,  bequests  and  donations  of  lands, 
tenements  or  hereditaments,  goods  and  chattels,  heretofore 
made  to  or  for  the  use,  benefit  and  advantage  of  the  colle- 
giate s,chool  aforesaid,  whether  the  same  be  expressed  to  bo 
made  to  the  president  or  rector,  and  to  the  rest  of  the 
incorporate  society  of  Yale  College,  or  to  the  trustees  or 
undertakers  of  the  collegiate  school  in  New-Haven,  or  to 
the  trustees,  by  any  other  name,  stile  or  title  whatsoever, 
whereby  it  may  be  clearly  known  and  understood,  that  the 
true  intent  and  design  of  such  gifts,  grants,  bequests  and 
donations,  was  to  and  for  the  use,  benefit  and  adyant%o 
of  the  collegiate  school  aforesaid,  and  to  be  lyider  the 
care  and  disposal  of  the  governors  thereof,  shall  be  con- 
firmed, and  the  same  hereby  are  confirmed,  and  shall  be 
and  remain  to,  and  be  vested  in  the  president  and  fellows 
of  the  college  aforesaid,  and  their  successors,  as  to  the 
true  and  lawful  successors  of  the  oi'iginal  grantees. 

III.  The  said  pr^ident  and  fellows  and  their  succes- 
sors, shall  and  may  heres^ft^r  have  a  cojnwon  seal,  to  seiTC 


30C 


IIISTOKY  OF 


Chap.  XII.     I  Lur.  aII. 


Boor  II.  and  lue  for  all  ranftm,  maltrrs  aiHl  afTairK,  orthrm  and 
N^^v*^  thrir  ^iirreHSon ;  and   thr  Ritme  »eul  to  altrr,  l)rf>ak  aiHi 
1745.    niakc  ncvr,  an  they  khalt  think  fit. 

IV.  That  the  said  Thomait  Clap  nliall  lie,  and  he  in  hrrr. 
hy  rRtablUhcd  the  nreacnt  nrrftidrnl;  and  the  »aid  .S.itnud 
Whitman,  Jared  Elliot,  Ebcncfrr  Williams,  Jonailiau 
Marsh,  Samuel  Cooke,  8i>niiicl  Whittelscy,  Joneph  Noyrs, 
Anthony  StoddanI,  Rf>nj.imin  Lord,  and  Daniel  WiiiU. 
worth,  shall  be,  and  thcv  an*  hereby  established  the  prcn- 
cnt  fellows  of  the  said  college  :  and  that  they  and  their  huc- 
cessors  shall  continue  in  their  respective  places  durinir 
life,  or  until  they  or  either  of  them  shall  resign,  or  bo  n-. 
moved  or  displaced,  as  In  this  act  is  hereafter  '  k{  cHsod. 

V.  That  there  shall  be  a  general  mee  •  .-,  «,•  th«  oresi- 
dent  and  fellows  of  said  college,  in  thr  .  olitv  e  ',.\<.  .iry,  on 
the  second  Wednesday  of  September  «»nii;<!ly,  or  at  any 
•thcr  time  and  place  which  they  :]nn\\  see  Cau  .e  (o appoint, 
to  consult,  advise  and  act  in  anr'  .  t  the  aflalrs  and  busi- 
ness of  the  said  college:  nnd  mar  on  any  cmorgencv,  the 
president  and  two  of  iTic  Icilows,  or  any  four  of  the  fellows, 
may  appoint  a  meeting  at  the  said  college,  provided  they 
};ive  notice  thereof  to  the  rest,  by  letters  sent  and  left  with 
them,  or  at  the  places  of  their  respective  abodes,  five  days 
before  such  meeting  ;  and  that  the  president  and  six  fej. 
lows,  or  in  case  oi  the  death,  absence  or  incapacity  of  the 
president,  seven  fellows  convened  as  aforesaid,  (in  which 
case  the  eldest  fellow  shall  preside,)  shall  be  deemed  a 
meeting  of  the  president  and  fellows  of  said  college,  and 
that  in  all  the  said  meetings,  the  major  vote  of  the  mem- 
bers present,  shall  be  deemed  the  act  of  the  whole  ;  and 
where  an  equi  vote  happens,  the  president  shall  have  a 
casting  vote. 

VI.  The  president  and  fellows  of  the  said  college  and 
their  successors,  in  any  of  their  meetings,  assembled  as 
aforesaid,  shall  and  may  from  time  to  time,  as  occasion 
shall  require,  elect  and  appoint  a  president  or  fellow  in  the 
room  and  place  of  any  president  or  fellow  who  shall  die, 
resign,  or  oe  removed  from  office,  place  or  trust ;  whoin 
tl|^  said  gov^jj;'ir  and  company  hereby  <'^eclare,  for  any 
misdemeano".  «nJ>.;  > '  'ness,  r  ' .  It  or  incapacity,  shall 
be  removab.  i ;  he  ^  resident  and  fellows  of  the  said  col- 
lege ;  six  of  them,  at  least,  concurring  in  sai(}  act.  And 
shall  have  power  to  appoint  a  scribe  or  register,  a  treasur- 
er, tutors,  professors,  steward,  and  all  such  other  officers 
and  servants  as  are  usually  appointed  in  colleges  or  uni- 
versities, as  they  shall  find  necessary  and  think  fit  to  ap* 
point ;  for  the  promoting  of  Jiterature^  and  the  well  ord«;r- 


AP.  XII.     I  Cair*  Xil. 


CONNECTICUT. 


U(H> 


,n{  and  mana|(in(;  of  ih«  afluin  of  said  collrgr  ;  and  th«m,  RmiH  II. 
,f  any  of  ''   m,  at  their  diKfftion,  to  mnovc  ;  and  to  pre*  v^'*<r^ 
.,rit>f  and  <«<lnnini»tcr  vich  forms  of  oaths  (not  bring  rnn-    i;4^, 
mry  10  the  !«»«  r>r  England,  or  of  this  colony)  a»  iIm  y 
.hall  think  j  '■oper  to  !<  .♦'•mimstcrr*!  to  all  thosji-  oIlirfrH 
,nd  in^tnui  o    »f  the  saMi «  ollfgc,  or  to  *urh  ar»«l  so  manjf 
ri  them  as  ihcy  «hal     Hink  |M\)fM>r,  for  th«'  laitlitul  i  x'-cn*- 
jimof  thf'u  rchpectivf  ptac^K,  offic**  and  inisls. 

VII.  That  the  present  president  ami  ti-IKiw^  ofsi'ulcol- 
Iri^c  and  their  succc.storf,  and  all  such  tutiirn  and  oturr  of- 
Qicrs  as  shall  be  appointed  for  liie  public  instruction  and 
jTovernment  of  said  college,  before  ilioy  undcrtakr  the  exe- 
cution of  their  respective  offices,  and  tru.st.s.  >r  wttliin  three 
months  after,  shall  publicly,  in  the  collcti.!'  hall,  take  the 
ojths  and  subscribe  the  declaration  an|N>irited  by  act  of 
parliament,  made  in  the  first  year  of  king  (jirorgc  the  first } 
f  niilled  an  act  for  the  further  securitv  of  hU  fuajtsttf^s  per- 
•on  and  government^  and  the  attccesston  of  the  crown  in  the 
ktm  of  the  late  princess  Sophia,  being  prott  slant s  ;  and  for 
itinguishing  the  hopes  of  the pretendtaprm<  f  of  Wales,  and 
kisopen  ana  secret  abettors  ;  that  is  to  ^^v,  the  president 
iieforc  the  governor,  deputy  governor,  oi  any  two  of  the 
nsdstants  of  this  colony,  for  the  time  being;  and  the  feU 
Ions,  tutors  and  other  officers,  before  the  [.resident  for  the 
lime  being ;  who  is  hereby  empowered  to  administer  the 
same.  An  entry  of  all  which  shall  be  made  in  the  records 
of  said  college. 

VIII.  That  the  president  and  fellows  shall  have  the  gov- 
rrnment,  care  and  management  of  the  said  college ;  and  all  * 
the  matters  and  affairs  thereunto  belonging ;  and  shall 

,  have  power,  firom  time  to  time,  as  occasion  shal  I  require,  to 
make,  ordain  and  establish  all  such  wholesome  ii  id  reasona- 
ble laws,  rules  and  ordinances,  not  repugnant  to  the  laws 
of  England,  nor  the  laws  of  this  colony,  as  they  <hall  think 
fit  and  proper,  for  thq  instruction  and  education  of  the  stu- 
dents, and  ordering,  governing,  ruling  And  managing  the 
said  college,  aitd  all  matters,  affairs  arid  things  thereunto 
belonging,  and  the  same  repeal  and  alter,  as  t  ley  shall 
think  It.;  which  shall  be  laid  before  this  assembly,  as  often 
as  required,  and  may  also  be  repealed  or  disallowed  by 
this  assembly,  when  they  shftU  think  proper. 

IX.  That  the  president  of  said  college,  with  the  consent 
^•f  the  fellows,  shall  have  power  to  give  and  confer  all  such 
bonors,  degrees  or  licenses  as  are  usually  given  in  col- 
leges and  universities,  upon  such  as  they  shall  think  wor-» 
!iy  thereof. 

^,  T\aX  aU  the  lands  and  rateable  estate  belonging  t<^ 


siu 


HISTORY  OK 


^'h4p.  X\k  I  rasP.X 


1746. 


Book  II.  the  sakJ  coIIc^p,  not  exceoiJing  the  yearly  value  of  fiy, 
.  hundred  pounds  sterling,  lyin-  in  this  povernmcnt,  atu] 
the  persons,  families  and  estate  .  ot  the  president  and  pro 
fessors,  lying  and  being  in  the  town  of  New-Haven,  arnl 
the  persons  of  the  tutors,  students,  and  such  and  somagy 
of  the  servants  of  anid  college,  as  give  their  constant  ai. 
tendance  on  the  business  of  it,  shall  be  freed  and  exempted 
from  all  rotes,  taxes,  military  service,  working  at  lijgh. 
ivays,  and  all  other  such  like  dul-js  and  services. 

XI.  And  for  the  special  encouragement  and  support  oi 
said  college,  this  assembly  do  hereby  grant  unto  the  iani 
president  and  fellows,  and  their  successors,  for  the  use  ut 
said  college,  in  lieu  of  all  former  grants,  one  hundred 
pounds  silver  money,  at  the  rate  of  six  shillings  and  (>i|/|it 
pence  per  ounce,  to  be  paid  in  bills  of  public  credit,  or 
other  currency  equivalent  to  the  said  hundred  pounds,  (thr. 
jpatc  or  value  thereof  to  be  stated  from  time  to  time  by  the 
assembly,)  in  two  equal  payments,  in  October  and  May 
annually.  This  payment  to  continue  during  the  pleasure 
of  this  assembly. 

In  full  testimony  and  confirmation  of  this  grant,  and  all 
the  articles  and  matters  therein  contained,  the  said  com- 
pany do  hereby  order,  that  this  act  shall  be  signed  by  thi 
governor  and  secretary,  and  sealed  by  the  public  seal  oi 
this  colony  ;  and  that  the  same,  or  duplicate  exemplifica- 
tion thereof,  shall  be  a  sufficient  warraot  to  the  said  presi- 
dent and  fellows  to  hold,  use,  and  exercise  all  the  powers 
^  and  privileges  therein  mentioned  and  contained. 

JONth.  law,  Governor, 
By  order  of  said  governor  $*tt*****{|: 

and  company,  in  gevieral  |ap^nde".j 


court  assembled. 

George  Wvlly^,  Secretary/. 


*TTT^vvT^^ 


1746. 
Mr.  Lam- 
bert's do- 
nation. 


This  ample  charter,  placed  the  coUege  in  a  niuch  mon 
perfect  and  honorable  state  than  it  was  in  before,  and  laid 
the  foundation  for  its  advancement  to  a  very  useful  ami 
honorable  university.  The  grant  of  ar»  hundred  pounds, 
or  an  equivalent  in  bills  of  credit,  was  punctually  paid  ioi 
ten  years,  until  the  commencement  of  the  French  war,  and 
the  heavy  taxes  and  burdens  which  it  occasioned.  With 
this  salary,  president  Clap,  with  his  singular  economy,  liv- 
ed with  dignity. 

Some  years  since,  Mr.  Samuel  Lambert,  a  Scotch  mer- 
chant, of  New-Haven,  died,  and  by  his  will,  dated  Feb 
ruary  19tb,  1718,  gave  the  principal  part  of  his  estotp 
for  the  benefit  of  the  college.    He  directed  that  ten  pouud 


Lhap.  xik  ■  r,ivr.  XII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


311 


"*, 


iit-^^w**'f 


,hnukl  be  paid  for  the  building  of  the  college,  and  the  rest  Book  lU 
0  be  paid,  three  pounds  sterling  to  each  person  graduated  s^^-n^-x^ 
^i>'ew-Ilavcn,  who  should  settle  in  the  ministry,  and  em-  1746. 
;Ki\vrrcd  his  executors  to  sell  the  lands  for  that  purpose. 
{?iit  the  executors  finding  the  estate  involved,  by  reason 
oi  a  large  debt  due  from  the  estate  in  England,  paid  only 
hr  ten  pounds  to  the  trustees,  and  neglected  all  payments 
0  ihc  graduated  ministers.  These,  living  at  a  great  dis- 
jtice,  and  some  difficulties  intervening,  did  nothing  rcla- 
JVC  to  the  aflkir  for  many  years.  In  the  mean  time,  seve- 
ral of  the  young  ministers  grew  uneasy,  and  ventured  upon 
he  sale  of  some  of  thd  lands,  though  they  had  no  right  to 
<e\\  them,  and  some  who  undertook  it,  had  no  right  even 
;o  the  money  ;  because  as  the  lands  were  appraised  in  the 
inventory,  the  money  would  all  be  run  out  before  it  came 
,0  them.  Some  other  persons,  who  had  no  pretence  of 
any  right,  got  into  possession  of  some  other  parts  of  the 
lands,  so  as  to  claim  them  by  possession.  With  respect  to 
!ome  other  parcels  of  the  land,  Mr.  Lambert  had  been  de- 
Iraaded  by  the  persons  of  whom  be  purchased,  as  they  had 
no  right  to  the  lands  which  they  sold  to  him. 

As  the  president  was  unwilling  that  the  estate  should  be 
lost,  as  to  the  end  for  which  it  was  given,  he  set  up  a  notifi- 
cation in  the  hall,  at  the  commencement  of  1 744,  desiring 
ihose  ministers  who  were  interested  in  the  affair,  to  meet 
ind  consult  upon  it.  They  accordingly  met  and  appoint- 
ed a  committee,  to  act  in  the  affair.  They  soon  found  it 
ittended  with  so  many  difficulties,  that  they  agreed  to  re- 
sign the  whole  into  the  hands  of  the  president  and  fellows. 
They  conceived  that  they  were  under  a  much  better  capa- 
city of  managing  it  than  themselves. 

Most  of  the  clergy,  who  were  supposed  to  have  any  in- 
terest in  the  affair,  freely  resigned  it  up  to  the  president 
and  fellows,  to  be  improved  for  the  benefit  of  college,  in 
such  a  manner  as  they  should  judge  best.  The  rest  of  the 
rights  were  purchased.  In  consequence  of  this,  the  exec- 
utors gave  to  the  president  and  fellows  a  deed  of  all  the 
lands  of  which  Mr.  Lambert  was  seized  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  After  very  considerable  pains  and  expense,  they 
t)ecame  finally  possessed  of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  in 
Wallingford,  and  srxty-two  acres,  lying  in  five  parcels,  in 
New-Haven,  exclusive  of  those  sold  by  the  young  minis- 
ters. 

This  year,  the  honorable  Philip  Livingston,  Esa.  one  of  Donation 
his  majesty's  council  for  the  province  of  New- York,  made  from  Mr. 
a  donation  of  twciif y-eight  pounds  ten  shillings  sterling,  to  Livingston 
be  put  out  at  inifrest,  and  the  interest  to  be  appropriated 


\PW 


SIS 


HISTORY  O^ 


CBap.  XII.  BcnAP.  Xn. 


m 


Book  II.  to  tlin  support  of  a  professor  of  divinitv  in  Yale  CoHpef. 
Ki^'N^^h/  or  to  any  other  use  the  presidetit  and  fellows  should  judgp 
1746.  most  for  the  advantage  of  the  college.  The  president  and 
fellows  were  of  the  opinion,  that  a  professor  of  divinity 
would  be  of  the  greatest  advantage  to  the  college,  and  an- 
propriated  the  donation  to  that  purpose.  In  consequcmo 
of  this  donation,  and  in  honor  of  Mr.  Livingston,  the  pro- 
fessor  of  divinity  in  Yale  College,  was  called  the  Livings, 
tonian  professor  of  divinity.  Four  sons  of  the  honornblr 
Mr.  Livingston  had  been  educated  at  this  college,  which 
was  probably  an  occasion  of  his  making  this  donation. 

From  this  time,  the  president  and  fellows,  it  seems, 
Were  wishing  for,  and  looking  forward  to,  the  settlement  of  a 
jirofessor  of  divinity  in  the  college,  and  they  were  con- 
certing measures  for  its  accomplishment,  as  soon  as  might 
be. 

The  college  was  now,  under  the  instructioa  and  govern- 
ment of  president  Clap,  flourishing  and  honourable.  His 
great  mind  and  extensive  literature,  made  it  reputable  at 
home  and  abroad.  Its  numbers  were  increased  to  an  hun- 
dred and  twenty  students.  More  than  half  this  numbei- 
tvere  obliged,  for  want  of  room  in  college,  to  live  out  in 
private  houses.  This,  on  many  accounts,  was  very  in- 
convenient. The  president,  therefore,  projected  the  plan 
of  erecting  a  new  college  house.  Upon  consultation  with 
several  of  the  fellows,  in  1 747,  he  obtained  liberty  for  a 
lottery,  to  assist  him  in  the  enterprise.  By  this,  five  hun- 
dred pounds  sterling  were  raised,  clear  of  all  charges  and 
deductions. 

The  president  took  the  whole  affair  of  constructing  and 
building  the  house,  upon  himself.  He  laid  the  foundation 
on  the  17th  of  April,  1750,  and  the  outside  was  completely 
finished  in  September,  1752.  It  was  100  feet  long,  40  feet 
wide,  and  three  stories  high,  besides  the  garrets,  and  a 
cellar  under  the  whole.  It  contained  thirty-two  chambers, 
and  sixty-four  studies.  It  was  set  back  in  the  yard,  that 
there  might  be  a  large  and  handsome  area  before  it,  and 
toward  the  north  side  of  the  yard.  With  a  view,  that,  when 
the  old  coMege  should  come  down,  another  college  or  chap- 
el, or  both,  should  be  set,  on  a  line,  to  the  south  of  it.  Ad- 
ditional lands  were  also  purchased  on  the  north,  and  on 
the  west,  for  its  better  accommodation.  It  was  built  of 
brick,*  and  made  a  very  beautiful  appearance.  It  was, 
at  that  time,  the  best  building  in  the  colony.  The  whole 
was  performed  with  great  economy  and  good  judgment. 

*  It  took  about  230,000  brick,  and  the  cost  of  the  out«i(tc  was  about 
£1180  sterling. 


C'liAp.  XII,  BcnAP. 


XII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


313 


i(l.e  was  about 


Xo  assist  the  presiJont  in  building  this,  the  General  As-  Book  If. 
lirtnbly,  besides  granting  the  lottery  io  October,  1749,  or-  v^^^^^i/ 

vr*'d»  that  363  pounds,  in  the  hands  of  Gurdon  Sa'.on-    1748. 
Icill.  Esq.  which  came  by  a  French  prize,  taken  by  the  D'natiom 

rjralc  belonging  to  the  government,  »nould  be  paid  tdthe*^"""  """.^ 
Lresidcnt,  toward  building  the  new  college.     In  October,  f",j'[,1fn5 ' 

;:5l,  the  assembly  gave  further  order,  that  the  remainder  th.  ww 
Lfthe  prize  aforesaid,  and  the  effects  of  the  frigate,  which  *^*^"'^?''- 
Las  sold  after  the  war,  amounting  to  500  pounds  more, 
Lhould  be  paid  for  the  same  purpose.     There  were  280 
Lunds  in  the  hands  of  Gurdon  Saltonstall  and  Jabe/, 

Hamlin,  EsqVs.  due  to  the  government  on  some  old  ac- 
I  counts,  which  the  assembly,  in  the  session  in  October, 

(54,  ordered  to  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  the  president, 
I  for  his  further  assistance  in  erecting  the  new  college  hall. 
The  outside  of  the  house  having  been  finished,  princi- 
I pally  by  the  generosity  of  the  government,  the  president  New  roi. ' 

and  fellows,  at  the  commencement  in  1752,  with  a  view  to  •«!?«  «"*- 
Live  it  an  honourable  perpetuation,  ordered,  that  the  new""*''^* 

college  be  called,  and  named,  Connecticut  Hall,  and 

then  walked  into  it  in  procession.     At  the  same  time,  the 

beadle,  by  special  order,  made  the  following  declaration, 

Liz: 
Cum  e  Providentiae  Divinae  fbvore,  per  Coloniae  Con- 

Utdicutensis  munificentiam  gratissimam,  hoc  novum  aedifi- 

cium  academicum,  fundatum  et  erectum  fuerit;  in  perpe- 

!uam  tantae  generositatis  memdriam,  aedes  haec  nitida  et 

splendida  Aula  Connecticutensis  nuncrepetur. 

Thus  in  English: 

Whereas,  tnrough  the  favour  of  Divine  Providence,  this 

Lew  college  house  has  been  built,  by  the  munificeoce  of 
the  colony  of  Connecticut:  in  perpetual  commemoration 
of  so  great  generosity,  this  neat  and  decent  building  shall 

I  be  called  Connecticut  Hall. 
The  college  was,  at  this  time,  greatly  increasing  in  num- 

I  bers,  literature,  and  reputation.  Bishop  Berkeley,  from 
time  to  time,  received  such  information  of  the  management 
and  effect  of  his  generous  donations,  as  met  his  approba- 
tion, and  gave  him  very  sensible  pleasure.  An  Irish  gen- 
tleman, who  was  present  at  one  of  the  examinations  for  his 
bounty,  carried  to   him  two  calculations    made  by  his 

I  scholars,  one  of  the  place  of  the  comet,  at  the  time  of  the 
flood,  which  appeared  anno  1680,  having  a  periodical  re- 

j  volution  of  575  1-2  years,  which  Mr.  Whiston  supposes  to 

!  have  been  the  cause  of  the  deluge ;  and  another  of  the  re«< 
markable  eclipse  in  the  tenth  year  of  Jehoiakim,  mention- 
ed by  Herodotus,  lib.  i.  chap.  74,  and  in  U sherds  Annab ; 

P2 


I  '..''111' f 

mm  ilit ' 

'  I 


314 


HISTORY  OF 


Cbap.  XII. 


1752. 


1751, 


^:1 


Book  II.  and  gave  him  a  particular  account  of  the  order  of  the  col- 
lege, and  the  proficiency  of  the  students  in  the  languages 
and  other  branches  of  literature.  The  bishop,  therelore' 
MTOtc  a  number  of  complaisant  letters  to  president  Clap. 
In  one  of  them,  not  long  before  his  death,  he  wrote  thus : 

"The  daily  increase  of  religion  and  learning,  in  the | 
seminary  under  your  auspicious   care  and  government. 
gives  me  a  very  sensible  pleasure,  and  an  ample  recom- 
pense for  all  my  donations." 

The  bishop  died  about  this  time,  in  the  73d  year  of  hi  J 
age.     President  Clap  observes,  "  This  college  will  always 
retain  a  grateful  sense  of  his  generosity  and  merits;  and, 
probably,  a  favourable  opinion  of  his  idea  of  material  sub-l 
stance,  as  not  consisting  m  an  unknown  and  inconceivable 
stratum,  but  in  a  stated  union  and  combination  of  sensihlA 
ideas,  excited  from  without  by  some  intelligent  being," 
lie  is  characterized  as  one  of  the  chief  men  of  any  age,  lor 
genius,  literature,  probity  and  beneficence. 

The  college,  at  this  time,  wasunder  very  flourishing  and] 
happy  circumstances,  on  all  accounts,  except  that  of  re- 
ligion, which  was  its  most  important  interest.  In  this, 
not  only  the  president  and  fellows,  but  the  churches  and! 
commonwealth,  were  deeply  interested.  With  respect  to 
this,  the  college  laboured  under  great  disadvantages.  The 
students  were  obliged  to  attend  in  the  old  meeting-house 
of  the  first  society,  where  their  external  accommodations 
were  far  from  being  agreeable ;  the  Rev,  Mr.  Noyes  was 
advanced  in  years,  had  very  little  animation,  and  did  not 
give  satisfaction,  either  as  to  his  language  or  doctrines. 
The  corporation,  sensible  of  this,  as  early  as  the  year 
1746,  voted,  "  that  they  would  choose  a  public  professor 
of  divinity  in  the  college,  as  soon  as  they  could  procure  a 
sufficient  support," 

The  president  in  particular,  felt  himself  deeply  interest- 
ed in  tne  affair.  He  was  a  witness,  every  sabbath  day, 
qf  what  kind  of  instructions  the  scholars  had,  and  he  em- 
ployed his  mind  in  devising  some  way  in  which  a  support 
might  be  obtained  for  a  professor.  The  lands  given  to 
the  college  in  1 732,  in  the  county  of  Litchfield,  were  in 
the  most  remote  and  uncultivated  part  of  the  colony ;  and 
land  was  so  cheap  in  that  county,  that  none  appeared  as 
tenants,  upon  any  terms  which  were  advantageous.  They 
had  lain  wholly  dormant  unto  that  time.  The  corporation 
wished,  if  possible,  to  turn  them  to  some  advantage,  and 
especially  for  the  support  of  a  professor  of  divinity.  The 
college  ^  president  devised  the  plan  of  leasing  the  lands,  for  the 
lands,       term  of  qine  hmidred  and  ninety-nine  years;  the  rent  to 


Plan  of 


C«Af. 


x\u 


CONNECTICUT. 


315 


t«  the  interest  of  the  value  of  the  land  at  that  time,  at  five  Book  If. 
prr  centum;  to  be  forfeited,  in  case  of  non-payment  oi s^^""'^^^ 
(he  rent,  at  the  annual  tiihes  appointed,  but  redeemable    1751. 
vithin  six  months  after,  upon  payment  of  the  rent,  with 
the  lawful  interest  upon  it.     This,  president  Clap  conceiv- 
(<]  to  be  most  advantageous,  both  for  the  landlord  and  the 
[onant.     The  rents  would,  in  the  best  manner,  be  secured 
10  the  college,  and  the  lands  would  be  free  from  the  trouble         « 
and  expense  of  inspection  and  separation^     The  tenants, 
at  the  same  time,  liad  all  encouragement  to  cultivate  and 
improve  the  lands,  as  though  they  were  their  own.     The 
rents  were  much  higher  than  those  of  most  other  lands, 
(hough  cleared  and  fenced.     On  these  terms,  several  par- 
cels were  leased  out,  from  time  to  time,  as  opportunity 
presented.     The  length  of  time  for  which  the  lands  were 
leased,  encouraged  people  to  apply  for  them,  so  that,  in 
a  few  years,  a  considerable  revenue  was  produced  by 
them. 

The  farm  given  by  bishop  Berkeley,  in  Rhode-Island, 
in  1762,  was  leased  for  the  same  term,  and  upon  the  same 
conditions,  as  the  other  college  lands.  The  rent  was  to 
be  eighteen  pounds  sterling,  and  forty  rods  of  stone  wall, 
until  the  year  1 769 ;  then  thirty-six  pounds,  until  the  year 
1810;  and  after  that,  240  bushels  of  good  wheat,  until  the 
end  of  the  term  of  nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  years. 

From  the  divided  state  of  New-Haven,  and  the  incon- 
venience and  danger  of  the  scholars  attending  public 
worship  in  the  first  church  and  society,  the  corporation 
became,  more  and  more,  sensible  of  the  necessity  of  ob« 
taining  a  professor  of  divinity  in  the  college.  The  corpo- 
ration, therefore,  in  1 752,  voted,  "  That  a  professor  of  di- 1752. 
vinity  in  the  college,  would  be,  upon  all  accounts,  advan- 
tageous ;  and  therefore  resolved,  that  they  would  endea- 
vour to  get  a  support  for  such  a  professor,  as  soon  as  may 
be,  by  all  such  ways  and  means  as  prudende  should  direct. 
They  afterwards  ordered,  that  one  half  of  the  college 
lands  in  the  county  of  Litchfield,  should  be  leased  out  for 
(hat  purpose." 

The  apprehension  of  the  necessity  of  the  settlement  of  a 
learned  and  orthodox  professor  of  divinity  in  the  college, 
to  preserve  orthodoxy,  and  to  exhibit  the  best  specimens 
of  preaching,  became  general.    The  legislature,  therefore, 
in  October,  1753,  took  the  affair  into  their  consideration, 
:ind  resolved,  "  That  one  principal  end  proposed  in  erect-  Resolution 
ing  the  college,  was,  to  supply  the  churcnes  in  this  colony  °^^^^ "" 
with  a  learned,  pious  and  orthodox  ministry;  to  which  Relative' t© 
end,  it  was  requisite  that  the  students  of  the  college  should  the  settle- 


m 


I'n-i 


mMm 


m 


'i 


Book  II. 


1 7d3. 

TD'ltlt  of  a 

profj'f»or 
of  divinity. 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XII.  ■  fHAP.  XII. 


Art  of  the 

tioii,  Nov. 
21st,  175;j. 


have  the  best  instructions  in  divinity,  and  the  best  patterns 
of  pnaching  set  before  them  ;  and  that  the  settling  i, 
learned,  pious,  orthodox  profesijor  of  divinity  in  the  col- 
lege,  would  erratly  tend  to  promote  that  good  end  anj 
design  :  and  therefore  recommended  a  general  contri- 
bution to  be  made  in  all  the  religious  societies  in  the  colo- 
ny,  for  that  purpose."  But  as  the  French  war,  and  jx- 
traordinary  taxes,  soon  after  commenced,  it  was  judj^td 
best  to  alter  the  form,  and  lo  seek  help  by  a  subscriptioi,, 
which  happily  succeeded  to  answer  the  end  designed. 

The  corporation  becoming  more  deeply  sensible  of  thr 
great  danger  which  there  was  of  the  corruption  of  the  col. 
lege  with  gross  errors,  and  the  clergy  of  the  colony  gem 
rally  having  the  same  impressions,  the  corporation  dc 
hired  the  president  to  undertake  the  work  of  a  professor  </ 
divinity,  and  to  preach  to  the  students,  in  the  college  hali. 
on  the  Lord's  day,  until  a  professor  of  divinity  could  be  ob- 
tained.  The  general  association  advised  to  the  same  mea- 
sure. The  president,  therefore,  with  the  students,  with. 
drew  from  the  first  society  in  New-Haven,  and  attended 
public  worship  in  the  college  hall,  under  the  immediate 
instructions  of  president  Clap* 

The  corporation^  for  the  further  preservation  and  secu- 
rity  of  the  religion  of  the  college,  upon  its  original  foun- 
dation and  constitution,  adopted  the  following  act. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  president  and  fellows  of  Yale  Col- 
lege,  November  21st,  1753  : 

PRESENT, 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Clap,  Presidenl*. 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Jared  Elliot,  Joseph  Noyes,  Anthony 
Stoddard,  Benjamin  Lord,  William  Russell^  Thomas  Rug* 
gles,  Solomon  Williams,  and  Noah  Hobart,  Fellows* 

"  Whereas,  the  principal  design  of  the  pious  founders  ol 
the  college,  was  to  educate  and  train  up  youth  for  the  min- 
istry in  the  churches  of  this  colony,  according  to  the  doc- 
ti'ine,  discipline  and  mode  of  worship  received  and  prac- 
tised in  them  ;  and  they  particularly  ordered,  that  the  stu- 
dents should  be  established  in  the  principles  of  religion, 
and  groimded  in  jrolemical  divinity,  according  to  the  as- 
sembly's catechism,  Dr.  Ames'  Medulla,  and  Cases  of  Con- 
science, and  that  special  care  should  be  taken  in  the  edu- 
cation of  the  students,  not  to  suffer  them  to  be  instructed  in 
any  different  principles  or  doctrines  ;  and  that  all  proper 
measures  should  be  taken  to  promote  the  power  and  purity 
of  religion,  and  the  best  edification  and  peace  of  these 
churches.*  .x«f  ,f 

^     •  S«e  the  records  ofl698, 1701  and  1722,        ,.!'»'• 


c^"A^  x\i  m  fHip.  xiT. 


CONNECTICUT. 


3i1 


>'  We,  the  successors  of  the  said  founders,  being  in  our  Book  Hi. 
own  judgments  of  the  same  principles  in  religion  with  our  v^-^v^ 
predecessors,  and  esteeming  ourselves  bound  in  fidelity  to    \  7,53< 
itie  trust  committed   to  us,  to  carry  on  the  same  design,  Retoiti- 
i»n(i  improve  all  the  college  estate  committed  to  us,  for  the  ^J^^  "J.^*!** 
purposes  for  which  it  was  given,  do  explicitly  and  fully  re-  ti?)Trcia- 
iolve,  as  follows,  viz.  the  to  or 

"  1.  That  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  ^^'^^^y- 
arc  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice,  in  all  matters  of  rc- 
lit/jon,  and  the  standard  by  which  all  doctrines,  principles 
and  practices  in  religion  are  to  be  tried  and  judged. 

"  2.  That  the  assembly's  catechism  and  confession  of 
faith,  received  and  established  in  the  churches  of  this  colo- 
ny, (which  is  an  abridgement  of  the  Westminster  Confes- 
jion)  contain  a  true  and  just  summary  of  the  most  impor- 
tant  doctrines  of  the  christian  religion :  and  that  the  true 
5cnse  of  the  sacred  scriptures  is  justly  collected  and  sum- 
med up  in  these  compositions :  and  all  expositions  of  scrip- 
ture, pretending  to  produce  any  doctrines  or  positions  con- 
trary to  the  doctrines  laid  down  in  these  composures,  we 
are  of  opinion  are  wrong  and  erroneous. 

"S.  If  any  doubt  or  dispute  should  happen  to  arise 
about  the  true  meaning  and  sense  of  any  particular  terms 
or  phrases  in  the  said  composures,  they  shall  be  under- 
stood and  taken  in  the  same  sense  in  which  such  terms  and 
phrases  have  been  generally  used  in  the  writings  of  pro- 
icstant  divines,  and  especially  in  their  public  confessions 
of  faith. 

"  4.  That  we  will  always  take  all  proper  and  reasona- 
ble measures,  such  as  christian  prudence  shall  direct,  to 
continue  and  propagate  the  doctrines,  contained  in  these 
summaries  of  religion,  in  this  college,  and  transmit  them 
to  all  future  successions  and  generations ;  and  to  use  the 
like  measures  to  prevent  the  contrary  doctrines  from  pre- 
vailing in  this  society. 

"  5.  That  every  person  who  shall  hereafter  be  chosen 
president,  fellow,  professor  of  divinity,  or  tutor,  in  this 
college,  shall,  before  he  enters  upon  the  execution  of  his 
office,  publicly  give  his  consent  to  the  said  catechism  and 
confession  of  faith,  as  containing  a  just  summary  of  the 
christian  religion,  as  before  expressed  ^  and  renounce  all 
doctrines  or  principles  contrary  thereunto ;  and  shall  pass 
through  such  an  examination  as  the  corporation  shall  think 
proper,  in  order  to  their  being  fully  satisfied  that  he  shall 
do  it  truly  without  any  evasion  or  equivocation. 

"  6.  That  since  every  such  officer  is  admitted  into  his 
post  upon  the  condition  aforesaid,  if  he  shall  afterwards 


1 

,1 

i,' 


.Hi 


HISTORY  OF 


<-'"*'.  Xlf.  ■  « ■*'•  *"• 


Book  II.  charvgc  his  sentiments,  entertain  any  contrary  set  of  princi- 

v^"^^''^"'  pics  or  scheme  of  rtligion,  and  disbelieve  the  doctrine* 

1 763.    contained  in  the  said  catechism  and  confession  of  faith,  he 

cannot,  consistent  with  common  honesty  and  fidelity,  con. 

tinijc  in  his  post,  but  is  bound  to  resign  it. 

"  7.  That  when  it  is  suspected  by  any  of  the  corporation 
that  any  such  officer  is  fallen  from  the  profession  of  hi:« 
faith,  as  before  mentioned,  and  is  gone  into  any  contrary 
schenie  of  principles,  he  shall  be  examined  by  the  corpora, 
tion. 

"  0.  That  inasmuch  as  it  is  especially  necessary  that  a 
professor  of  divinity  should  be  sound  in  the  faith,  besides 
the  common  tests  before  mentioned,  he  shall  publicly  ei- 
hibit  a  full  confession  of  his  faith,  drawn  up  by  him  in  hi;; 
own  words  and  phrases,  and  shall  in  full  and  express  terms 
renounce  all  such  errors  as  shall  in  any  considerable  mea- 
Mirc  prevail  at  the  time  of  his  ihtroauction.  And  if  any 
doubt  or  question  should  arise  about  any  doctrine  or  posi- 
tion, whether  it  be  truth  or  error,  it  shall  be  judged  by  the 
word  of  God,  taken  in  that  sense  of  it  which  is  contained 
and  declared  in  the  said  catechism  and  confession  of  faith, 
as  being  a  just  exposition  of  the  word  of  God,  in  those  doc* 
trines  or  articles  which  arc  contained  in  them.   ■   -^ 

"  9.  That  every  person  who  shall  be  chosen  president, 
fellow,  protiessor  of  divinity,  or  tutor  in  this  college,  shall 
give  his  consent  to  the  rules  of  church  discipline,  establish- 
ed in  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  of  the  churches  of  this 
colony  :  It  being  understood,  that  our  ecclesiastical  con- 
stitution may  admit  of  additions  or  alterations,  in  such  cir- 
cumstai.ccs  a;,  accoixling  to  our  confession  of  faith,  are  to 
})c  regulated  by  the  light  of  nature,  and  the  rules  of  chris- 
tian prudence.  And  it  is  especially  declared,  that  if  any 
])erson  shall  deny  the  validity  of  the  ordination  of  the  min- 
if^ters  of  this  colony,  commonly  called  presbyterian  or  con- 
gregational, or  hold  that  it  is  necessary  or  convenient  that 
hiich  ministers  should  be  re-ordained,  in  order  to  render 
their  administrntions  valid,  it  shall  be  deemed  an  essentia! 
departure  from  our  ecclesiastical  constitution,  and  incon- 
sistent with  the  intentions  ot  the  founders  of  this  college, 
that  such  a  person  should  be  chosen  an  officer  in  it. 

"  10.  Yet,  we  would  suppose  that  it  is  not  inconsistent 
with  the  general  design  of  the  founders,  and  it  is  agreeable 
to  our  own  inclinations,  to  admit  protestants  of  all  denom- 
inations to  send  their  children  to  receive  the  advantages  of 
an  education  in  this  college :  provided,  that  while  they 
are  here,  they  conform  to  all  the  laws  and  orders  of  it." 

All  the  fellows  who  have  been  admitted  since  the  above 


™*'.  Xii.  m  <••*'•  ^"' 


CONNECTICUT. 


Sl«r 


lolcmn  act  and  declaration,  have  publirlv  given  their  con-  Book  II. 
.rat  to  the  catcchisoi  and  cont'ciiftion  oft'aith,  in  the  sub-  >^'v^^ 
»c(|ucnt  form,  viz :  1 75;j. 

"  I,  A.  B»  being  chosen  a  fellow  ot*  Yh  Colu^ge,  do 
iprcby  declare,  that  1  believe  that  the  assembly's  rat«r- 
ihism,  and  the  confession  of  faith,  received  and  i'stabli.<(h« 
(din  the  churches  of  this  colony,  and  in  this  college,  coit- 
;ain  a  true  and  just  summary  of  the  most  important  dor- 
fines  of  the  christian  religion ;  and  that  the  true  sense  of 
the  sacred  scriptures  is  justly  collected  and  summed  up  in 
ibosc  compositions.  And  all  expositions  uf  scripture  pre- 
tending to  deduce  any  doctrine  or  position  contrary  to  tl>e 
said  doctrines  laid  down  in  those  composures,  1  believe 
arc  wrong  and  erroneotis,  and  I  will  always  take  all  ren- 
^inablc  measures,  and  such  as  christian  prudence  mny  di- 
rect, in  my  place  and  station,  to  continue  and  propagate 
ihe  doctrines  contained  in  those  summaries  of  religion  in 
ibis  college,  and  transmit  them  to  all  future  successions 
ind  generations  :  and  use  the  like  measures  to  prevent  the 
contrary  doctrines  from  prevailing  in  this  society. 

"  i  do  also  consent  to  the  rules  of  church  discipline,  es- 
ablishcd  in  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  of  the  churches 
of  this  colony." 

As  it  was  the  design  of  the  president  and  fellows,  to  es-     1754. 
lablish  a  professor  of  divinity  in  the  college  as  soon  asThniiesign 
possible,  and  have  the  college  under  his  instructions  on  the  °f  **?« 
sabbath,  as  well  as  at  other  times,  the  president  wrote  and  and*feHows 
published,  in  1 754,  a  small  tract,  entitled.   The  Religious  to  estab- 
Constitution  of  Colleges,  a  very  learned,  cool  piece,  con-  \'»h  »  P^p' 
taining  no  reflection  or  unfrienaly  insinuation,  with  res-  '^""jj; 
pect  to  any  man,  or  any  body  of  men.     His  design  was  to 
show  the  origin  and  design  of  colleges,  their  rights  and 
privileges.     That  they  formed  distinct  religious  societies, 
and  had  professors  of  divinity  to  preach  to  them,  and  car- 
ry on  a  distinct  and  separate  worship  by  themselves.  That 
both  the  students  and  officers  were  prohibited,  by  heavy 
penalties,  from  attending  any  worship  but  their  own,  in 
their  universities.     The  president  observes,  that  it  is  a 
maxim  which  runs  thiough  all  moral  nature,  that  every  dis- 
tinct society,  founded  for  religious  purposes,  is,  or  at  least 
may  be,  a  distinct  worshipping  assembly.  Colleges  as 

He  insisted,  that  as  religious  worship,  preaching  and  in-  distinct  so- 
struction  on  the  sabbath,  was  one  of  the  most  important  ^ave  & 
parts  of  the  education  of  ministers  ;  it  was  more  necessa-  right  to 
ry  that  it  should  be  under  the  conduct  of  the  authority  of  worship  by 
the  college,  than  any  other  part  of  education :  That  the  themsclvoa 
preaching  ought  to  be  adapted  tp  the  superior  capacity  of 


•« 


IIISTORV  OF 


^■Af'  Xlf.    I  rHAr.  XII; 


h 


Book  II.  those,  tvho  are  to  be  qualified  to  be  instnictors  of  othern ; 

k^"«^^m/  and  upon  all  accounts  j(Uf)crior  to  that,  which  is  ordinarily 
1754.  to  be  expected,  or  indeed  rerjuisiie  for  a  common  pari«h: 
and  that  it  was  more  necessary  that  the  governors  of  col- 
lege should  nominate  its  nreacher,  than  any  other  oflficcr  or 
instructor.  He  observea,  that  they  were  bound  by  law, 
and  the  more  sacred  ties  of  conscience  and  fidelity  to  thoir 
trust,  committed  to  them  by  their  predecessors,  to  pur<«uc 
and  carry  on  the  design  of  the  pious  founders  of  the  col- 
lege, which  they  could  not  do,  unless  they  could  rhor)Sf> 
their  own  officers,  and  direct  the  manner  of  preaching  to 
the  students :  That  (hey  had,  therefore,  for  about  seven 
years,  been  providing  a  fund  for  a  professor  of  divinity  in 
the  college,  and  that  from  the  unhappily  divided  stato  of 
New-Haven,  of  late  years,  the  necessity  of  a  professor  an- 
peared  still  greater ;  that  they  had,  therefore,  desired  thp 
president,  with  such  assistance  a^  he  might  be  able  to  ob- 
tain, to  carry  on  the  work  of  a  professor  of  divinity,  by 
preaching  in  the  college  hall,  every  Lord's  day,  until  a 
professor  of  divinity  could  be  obtained.  This,  he  said, 
they  were  warranted  to  do,  from  the  original  nature,  de- 
sign and  practice  of  colleges  and  universities,  which  were 
superior  societies  for  religious  purposes ;  and  also  from 
several  special  clauses  in  the  acts  of  the  General  Assembly ; 
that  the  students  might  have  the  advantage  of  such  preach- 
ing and  instruction,  as  was  best  adapted  to  their  capacity, 
state  an^-l  design.  He  well  observed,  that  neither  of  the 
tliree  sorietiea  in  New-Haven,  would  be  willing  that  the 
college  should  choose  a  minister  for  them  ;  that  it  was  less 
reasonable  that  they  should  choose  a  minister  for  the  col- 
lege, or  that  the  college  should  be  obliged  to  attend  on  such 
f>reaching  as  either  of  them  should  choose,  as  it  was  a  rc- 
igious  society  of  a  superior,  a  more  general  and  important 
nature :  That  no  society  or  body  politic  could  be  safe, 
but  only  in  its  having  a  principle  of  self  preservation,  and 
a  power  of  providing  every  thing  necessary  for  its  own 
subsistence  and  defence  :  That  without  this,  the  college 
might  be  subjected  to  such  preaching  as  was  contrary  to 
the  minds  of  the  legislature  and  the  generality  of  the  peo- 
ple, as  well  as  to  the  design  of  the  founders. 

There  were  at  this  time  a  number  of  people  in  the  col- 
ony, who  appeared  inimical  both  to  the'  government  and 
to  the  college,  and  employed  th  tongues  and  pens  against 
both ;  and  all  manner  of  objections  which  could  well  be 
conceived,  were  brought  against  the  college. 

By  some  it  was  pretended,  that  the  design  of  colleges 
^as  to  teach  the  arts  and  sciences,  only ;  and  that  religion. 


■>*'•  Xif.  I  Thap.  XII; 


CONNEClCii, 


.121 


i  was  a  re- 


«a4  no  part  of  a  college  education  :  uiii.  •  re  fore.  itnoB  k  if* 
rrli(;i«uH  worship  ought  to  be  upheld,  ur  enjoinrd  h\  th(  ^  /^ 
|jW9  of  the  college  ;  but  that  every  htudeni  should  be  allow- 


<^<t* 


/  .  uf- 


cd  to  worship  how  and  where  he  pleased,  or  as  his  pareiii<>  • 
and  guardians  should  direct.  The  president  observed  in 
reply,  that  there  wa»  not,  probably,  a  college  upon  earth, '*'' 
iijMHi  such  a  constitution  ;  without  anv  regard  to  religion. 
That  it  was  known,  that  religion,  and  the  religion  of  these 
(hurrhes  in  particular,  as  to  doctrine  and  discipline,  was 
the  main  design  of  the  founders  of  this  college :  and  that 
this  their  successors  were  obliged  to  pursue. 

If  was  pretended  that  every  student  might  be  obliged  to 
ultend  on  some  meeting  in  loWn,  where  he  should  choose, 
or  his  parents  should  order,  and  that  a  monitor  might  be 
appointed  to  each  meeting  in  the  town,  with  penalties  for 
ncn-attendancc.  To  this  it  was  replied,  that  to  all  who 
understood  the  nature  of  college  government,  such  a 
icheme  must  plainly  appear  impracticiblo  :  That  it  was 
absolutely  necessary  that  the  governors  of  the  college 
should  be  present,  and  strictly  observe  the  attendance  and 
behavior  of  the  students  with  their  own  eyes  :  That  when 
any  parent  put  a  child  to  school,  or  into  another  family, 
or  society,  ne  resigned  his  parental  authority  and  govern- 
ment, so  far  as  related  to  the  order  and  constitution  of  that 
society :  That  no  parent  can  have  a  right  to  put  his  child 
to  be  a  member  of  any  society,  and  then  order  him  to 
l)reak  th6  laws  and  rules  of  it :  that  this  tvould  be  des- 
tructive to  the  very  nature  and  constitution  of  all  societies^ 
That  if  parents  had  a  right  to  order  what  worship  their 
cliildrcn  should  attend  at  college,  it  would  take  the  powei* 
of  governing  the  college,  as  to  religion,  its  most  important 
interest,  wholly  out  of  the  hands  of  the  authority  of  the- 
college ;  and  tnerc  might  be  as  many  kinds  of  religion,  in 
the  college,  as  there  were  different  opinions  of  parents* 
That  the  parents  might  be  Jews,  or  Arian^^  or  of  such 
other  religion,  as  the  authority  of  the  college  could  not 
tolerate.  That  parents  at  a  distance,  could  not  govern 
their  children  at  college.  It  was  impracticable.  They 
could  not  give  such  a  just  system  of  rules  as  the  authority 
of  the  college  could  and  ought  to  put  in  execution. 

It  was  urged,  that  liberty  of  conscience  ought  to  be  al-  Liberty  o.t 
lowed  to  a.\\j  to  worship  as  they  please.  con- 

The  reply  to  this  was,  that  the  college  acted  upon  the  ^*^^^'^*^^' 
principles  of  liberty  of  conscience  in  the  fullest  sense. 
That  any  man,  under  the  limitations  of  the  law,  might  found 
a  college  or  school,  for  such  ends  and  purposes,  and  with 
suoh  conditions  and  limitations,  with  respect  to  those  who 

Q2 


k' 

tt.  ^^^ 


:\U 


HISTORY  or 


CiiAf.  XlF.    ■   r«»p.  XI 


r  ■ 


b  *i , 


HofiK  If,  wore  lo  rnjoy  the  lw»n»'fit  of  it,  n*  he  in  hit  ron<K:if>tK-f 
v.^-v^^  hhoiilil  (hink  Itcsi ;  ami  that  hin  r  onHcieiicc,  who  has  the 
\7o\.  properly  of  II  lhin>(,  or  kivph  it  upon  conditions,  ounht  ly 
govM-n  in  all  matiiTs  rciativr  to  the  uitcof  it;  anti  not  hi» 
ronsricntc  who  rrrrivps  the  ItentBl  ;  who  han  no  rij^lit  |y 
ir,  1)111  acror<Hn)(  lo  th(>  will  and  conditions  of  the  pru[iri(- 
lor,  or  donor;  and  that  lihrrty  of  conscit-nco  in  him,  wli . 
is  all«)wrd  to  lake  the  henefit,  extendn  no  further,  than  lu 
dclnminr  whether  he  will  acropt  it  u|)on  those  condiliotiv 
Thai  to  t  liallcnee  the  benefit  without  cromplyinij  with  the 
roiidiiionH,  would  be  lo  rob  the  proprietor  of  his  proper 
ly,  and  tight  of  dis]>o8ul. 

'I'he  gieat  design  of  founding  this  school,  was  to  cciu 
rale  iniiiihKTS  in  our  own  way  ;  and  lo  attain  thai  end,  tha 
founders,  and  their  succpssors,  approheoded  it  lo  be  neces- 
sary that  the  students  should  ordinarily  attend  upon  the 
same  way  of  worship  :  and  should  they  give  up  that  law 
and  order,  the  college  would  serve  designs  and  purpose*., 
fonlrary  lo  those  for  which  it  was  originally  founded.  This, 
in  point  of  conscience  and  fidelity  to  their  trust,  they  could 
not  permit.  In  this  pointy  the  college  exercises  no  kind 
of  power,  or  authority,  but  that  only  which  results  froni 
the  natural  liberties  and  privileges  of  all  free  and  volunta- 
ry societies  of  men  ;  which  is,  lo  determine  their  own  de- 
sign among  themselves  ;  and  the  conditions  of  their  own 
favoi'a,  and  benefils  lo  others. 
f  hnrcli  of  It  was  olcaded,  »hat  the  students  ought  to  atfend  the  wor- 
liujjIaiiJ.  siiip  of  the  church  of  England ;  or  so  many  of  them  as 
shall  SCO  cause,  or  as  their  parents  shall  order,  or  permit. 
That  the  church  of  England  is  tJic  established  religion  of 
Ihis  colony  ;  and  that  those  who  do  not  conform  to  it  arc 
schismatics. 

In  answer  to  this,  it  was  observed,  that  the  act  of 
parliament  in  the  common  prayer  book,  for  the  establish- 
inent  of  the  church  of  England,  was  expressly  limited  lo 
F  »gland  and  Wales,  and  the  town  of  Berwick  upon  Tweed: 
That  it  was  a  well  known  maxim  in  law,  that  the  sta- 
tutes of  England  did  not  extend  to  the  plantations,  unless 
they  are  expressly  mentioned :  That  it  was  presumed  that 
1)0  such  act  could  be  found  with  respect  to  the  colonies  in 
America. 

It  was  also  said,  that  governor  Yale  and  bishop  Berke- 
ley, who  were  churchmen,  made  large  donations  to  this 
college. 

It  was  replied,  that  when  any  donation  is  given  after 
the  foundationals  laid,  the  law  presumes,  that  it  was  the 
will  of  the  donors  that  their  donations  should  be  loiproved 


f»\r.  XII. 


CONNECTK;!  T. 


371 


r,rronlinj<    to  thr  (lr<«igti   of  the  fouiuit  ri.     Thr  l.iw  pro- Bo«ni  11. 
jiuriH'^.    'hJ*'  rvrry  >":»»   knows   in   thai  ihin;;    whrrnn    In  n-^"v-"n^ 
Kt*.*     And  fiinn- F)y  law.  thr  sC.'iUiIrs  of  tin- roiin'lrr>iiui-     IT.'il. 
not  l)p  :iltcr('(l,t  it  lirrsiirnvs  that  the  liniior  ha<l  not  iiiiy  (ii'< 
«ii;n  10  <lo  it.     Anu  thrn!  was  ih)1  the  Irast  reason  lo  nnp- 
nosp  that  thr  govrmor  or  bishop  nperird  any    altrratioii 
.houM  be  inadt!  in  the  laws  of  the  college,  or  any  d«  vii- 
•;oii  Irom   the  design  ol'the  founders,  towards  the  (  hurih 
of  Kngland,  or  in  any  other  way. 

And  since  there  was  not  the  least  reason  to  suppose  that 
they  ex|)ected  or  desired,  that  upon  their  donations  any 
alteration  should  be  made  in  the  lawi  of  the  college,  it  was 
(onccived  that  there  was  no  obligation  to  do  it  in  point  of 
jrratitude. 

The  income  of  the  fiirm  at  Rhode- Island,  given  by  the 
bishop,  was  not  appropriated  to  any  religious  use  ;  but  to 
ihc  best  scholars  in  Latin  and  Greek,  which  appropria- 
tion ought  be  sacredly  and  inviolably  observed,  as  well  a> 
the  design  of  the  founders. 

Yet  it  was  declared  that  the  corporation  had  a  just  sense 
of  the  generosity  of  those  gentlemen;  and  for  that  and 
many  other  reasons,  were  wUling  to  do  all  that  they  could 
to  gratify  the  gentlemen  of  the  church  of  England,  consisl- 
tnt  with  the  design  .t!"  the  founders  ;  and  particularly  had 
given  liberty,  to  ihosio  students  who  have  been  educated 
in  the  worship  of  the  church  of  England,  and  were  of  that 
rommunion,  to  be  absent  at  those  times  when  the  sacrament 
was  administered,  in  that  church;  upon  Christmas,  and  at 
some  such  other  times,  as  would  not  be  an  infraction  of  the 
general  and  standing  rules  of  the  college. 

It  had  been  further  pleaded  in  respect  to  the  church  of 
England,  that  there  were  a  number  of  that  profession  in 
the  colony,  who  contributed  something  to  the  su[)port  of 
the  college, 

With  respect  to  this,  it  was  allowed,  that  when  a  com- 
munity was  jointly  at  some  public  charge,  it  is  equitable, 
that  the  benefit- of  each  individual  should  be  consulted,  so 
far  as  it  was  consistent  with  the  general  design  and  good 
of  the  whole,  or  of  the  majority.  And  though  it  was  im- 
possible that  such  a  benefit  should  be  matheinaticallv  pro- 
portioned, to  each  individual,  yet  this  college  hacl  edu- 
cated as  many  epi8CO))al  ministers  and  others,  as  they  de- 
sired or  needed,  which  had  been  a  sufficient  compensa- 
tion, for  their  paying  about  an  halfpenny  sterling  per  man, 
for  the  annual  support  of  the  college.  And  it  might  con- 
tinue to  be  as  serviceable  to  them  as  it  had  been,  if  they 
*  Jacob's  pkt.  t  Wood'f,  113. 


i^ 


,  M  > 


324 


HISTORY  OF 


Chaw  Xll.    I  i'hap-  XII. 


'I 


Professor 
uoraina- 
ted,  1755. 


Installed, 

March, 

1756., 


pleased ;  as  llic  orders   of  it  remained    substantially  th<» 
same.  \ 

It  was  further  observed,  that  this  college  was  founded, 
and  in  a  good  measure  endowed,  many  years  before  anv 
donations  were  made  by  churchmen,  and  before  there  was 
so  much  as  one  episcopal  minister  in  the  colony.* 

This  tract  was  written  by  the  president,  with  a  view  to 
show  the  rights  of  colleges,  as  distinct  societies,  and  the 
practice  of  their  worshipping,  as  such  societies,  by  them- 
selves ;  to  vindicate  the  authority  of  the  college,  in  what 
they  had  already  done,  in  ordering  a  distinct  worship  in 
the  college,  on  the  Lord's  day,  and  to  prepare  the  way  for 
the  settlement  of  a  professor  of  divinity  in  the  college.  It 
was  written  in  the  most  cool  and  unexceptionable  manner 
possible.  It,  however,  gave  great  uneasiness  to  a  certain 
class  of  men  in  the  colony  ;  and. especially  the  establish- 
ment of  a  professor,  and  a  distinct  worship  in  the  college. 
There  were  some  principal  men  in  New-Haven,  and  in 
other  parts  of  the  colony,  who  were  opposed  to  the  assem- 
bly's catechism,  and  to  the  confession  of  faith,  and,  indeed, 
to  all  confessions  and  formulas  of  doctrine.  They,  there- 
fore, became  fixed,  strong  opposers  to  the  college,  fo  the 
president,  and  to  the  settlemerjt  of  a  professor.  They 
were  displeased  with  the  resolves  and  declaration  of  the 
corporation,  at  their  meeting,  in  November,  1753,  with  a 
view  to  preserve  the  orthodoxy  of  the  college,  and  inviola- 
bly to  maintain  and  prosecute  the  design  of  its  founders. 

The  president  and  fellows,  agreeably  to  their  former  re- 
solutions in  Septenaber,  1755,  nominated  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Naphtali  Daggett,  pastor  of  a  church  on  Long-Island,  to 
be  professor  of  divinity.  Upon  application  to  the  pres- 
bytery, he  was  dismissed  from  his  charge ;  and,  in  the 
November  following,  came  to  New-Haven,  and  preached 
in  the  college,  with  general  approbation. 

On  the  3d  of  March,  1756,  the  president  and  fellows 
met,  and  spent  a  day  in  his  examination,  with  respect  to 
his  principles  in  religion,  his  knowledge  in  divinity,  cases 
of  conscience,  scripture  history  and  chronoloojy,  antiquity, 
skill  in  the  Hebrew  language,  and  various  other  qualifica-; 
tions  for  a  professor.  In  this  examination,  he  gave  full 
satisfaction  to  the  corporation.  The  next  day,  he  preach- 
ed a  sennon  in  the  college  hall,  upon  the  text,  1  Corinth, 
ii.  2.  "  For  I  deterniined  not  to  know  any  thing  among 
you,  save  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified."  He  gave 
bis  full  and  explicit  consent  to  all  the  doctrines  contained 
in  our  catechism,  and  confession  of  faith,  and  to  the  rules 
•  i'rciident  Clap's  religious  iiutitutiop  pf  CoUegey. 


TlIAP. 


XII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


311 


t  thiirch  discipline  esiablishod  in  the  cluirrhrs  of  iliis  Bdok  If. 
olony.     Hr  also  exhibited  a  full  confession  of  his  faith,  s^^^-^^ 
,  I  his  own  composition  ;  ;ind  expressly  lenounced  the  prin-    i  ij^G, 
,inal  errors   prevailing  in  those  times:  agreeably  to  the 
,((  of  the  corporation,  Nov.  21st,  1753,  which  has  been 
kfore  recited.     Thus,  after  preaching  about  four  nioitth>i 
in  the  college,  and  the  preceding  examination  and  fomiali- 
;ifi,  he  was  inaugurated  and  installed  professor  of  divinity, 
III  Vale  College,  by  the  reverend  corporation. 

About  the  same  time,  Mr.  Gcrshom  Clark,  of  Lebanon, 
generously  gave  thirty-three  pounds  ten  shillings  sterling, 
10  be  put  out  at  interest,  for  the  use  of  a  professor  of  di- 
vinity. The  interest  of  this,  with  that  of  Mr.  Livingstoti's 
donation,  before  mentioned,  with  th<J  rents  of  the  college 
lands,  which  the  corporation  had  agreed  to  lease  for  th^t 
purpose,  were  sufficient  for  the  annual  support  of  the  pro- 
fessor. 

President  Clap  had  previously  purchased  and  given  a 
lot  of  land,  for  the  use  of  a  professor  of  divinity,  for  the 
ijme  being,  who  should  be  settled  and  continued  according 
10  the  act  of  the  corporation,  November  21st,  1753,  ana 
constantly  preach  in  the  college  hall,  or  chapel,  except  in 
the  vacations. 

A  considerable  number  of  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the 
colony,  in  approbation  of  the  settlement  of  the  professor, 
for  his  encouragement,  and  the  benefit  of  the  college,  gene- 
rously entered  into  a  subscription,  or  contribution,  for  the 
purpose  of  building  the  professor  a  house,  under  similar 
limitations.*  This  was  raised  in  June,  1757,  and  com- 1757. 
jiletcly  finished  the  next  summer.  It  cost  285  pounds  ster- 
ling. The  president,  with  all  proper  formalities,  in  the 
presence  of  a  considerable  number  of  gentlemen,  convened 
on  the  occasion,  put  the  professor  in  possession  of  it ;  de- 
daring  that  it  was  built  for  the  use  of  a  professor  of  divin- 
i!y  in  the  college,  who  should  preach  all  the  doctrines  con- 
tained in  our  catechism  and  confession  of  faith ;  and  that 
incase  he,  or  his  successors,  should  hold,  teach,  or  main- 
tain any  contrary  doctrine,  he,  or  they,  would  have  no  right 
to  any  use  or  improvement  of  it.  The  solemnity  was  then 
concluded  with  prayer,  and  singing  a  psalm. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  corporation,  June  29th,  1757,  they  Tlie  prcti, 
examined,  a#id  approved,  all  the  accounts  of  the  receipts  dcn('«  ac- 
and  disbursements  of  money,  for  building  Connecticut  Hall,  c""."*'  es- 

*  The  governor,  ieputy  governor,  gentlemen  of  the  council,  president  J!t^l  **""» 
(lap,  numbers  of  the  cvirporation,  and  others  of  the,clergy,  were subscri-     '^  '■ 
htre.    A  list  of  them,  and  of  their  reipectire  douation?,  is  preserved,  in 
president  Clap's  bisturjr  of  tbe  college. 


IV^^ 


'  i   I  ' .  <  •■  I 


1;  ■  ■' 


!f*i 


32G 


HISTORY  OF 


chak  xn.  ■  "*''• 


I 


Book  II.  Then,  in  view  of  the  great  care,  labour,  and  gencrositv oi 

v^'-N^^ta^  the  president,  they  passed  the  following  vote,  viz : 
1757.         "Whereas  the  Rev.  President  Clap  hath  had  the  cnm 

Thanks  of  and  oversight  of  building  the  new  college,  called  Connrni. 

Hon  to'C'  *^"^  ^^"'  ^"^  ''*y'"8  out  the  sum  of  1660  pounds  stcrline. 

j'rc&idcnt?'  which  appears  to  have  been  done  with  great  pnidencc  aurl 
frugality  ;  and  the  college  built  in  a  very  elegant  and  hand- 
some manner,  by  means  of  his  extraordinary  care,  dilj. 
gence,  and  labour,  through  a  course  of  several  yetirs  :  all 
which  the  said  president  has  generously  given  for  the  hn- 
vice  of  said  college.  And  the  said  president  hairing  also, 
of  his  own  proper  estate,  purchased  a  lot  for  the  profchsoi 
of  divinity,  which  has  cost  52  pounds,  lawful  money,  and 
given  it  to  the  college,  for  the  said  use  for  ever  :  This  cor- 
poration think  themselves  bound,  and  do  accordingly,  ren- 
der their  hearty  and  sincere  thanks  to  the  Rev.  Presidon' 
Clap,  for  these  extraordinary  instances  of  his  generosity; 
And  as  a  standing  testimony  thereof,  voted,  that  this  lj<; 
entered  on  their  records," 

At  the  same  meeting,  the  tutors  and  a  number  of  the 
students,  made  the  following  application,  viz  : 

"  Whereas  this  reverend  corporation,  of  their  paternal 
care  and  goodness,  have  settled  a  professor  of  divinity  in 
this  ecclesiastical  society,  whom  we  receive  as  an  able 
minister  of  the  New  Testament ;  we,  the  subscribers,  mem- 
bers of  this  society,  having  been  admitted  members,  in  full 
communion  in  sundry  churches,  and  consenting  to  the  ec- 
clesiastical constitution  of  the.churches  of  this  colony,  as 
agreeable  to  the  word  of  God,  in  doctrine  and  discipline; 
are  desirous  to  attend  upon  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's 
supper,  under  the  administration  of  the  reverend  professor; 
and  to  >valk  togethe**  in  stated  christian  communion,  and 
holy  subjection  to  all  the  ordinances  of  Christ ;  and  desire 
the  approbation  and  sanction  of  ihis  reverend  body."  ] 
The  corporation  approved  of  this  application,  pnd,  in 
consequence  of  it,  the  professor  preached  a  sermon  in  the 
hall,  adapted  to  the  occasion ;  and  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  supper  was  attended,  with  all  proper  solemnities, 
on  the  3o  of  July,  for  the  first  time  in  Yale  College.  Ii 
hath  ever  since,  on  the  first  Lord's  day  in  each  montL. 
been  administered  in  the  college  hall ,  or  in  the  chapel, 
agreeably  to  the  practice  of  the  colleges  in  England.  The 
state  and  constitution  of  the  college,  was,  by  these  meann, 
rendered  much  more  perfect  and  agreeable.  The  profes- 
sor was  an  instructive  ai.d  excellent  preacher :  his  sermons 
were  enriched  with  ideas  and  sound  divinity ;  were  doctri- 
nal, experimental,  and  pungent.  He  was  acceptable  t.i 
the  legii^lature,  clvigy,  and  people  in  general. 


•  11 


IP.  Xlf. 


CONNECTICUT. 


S2t 


Notwithstanding,  the  settlement  of  a  professor  in  the  col-  Book  IF. 
,.jrc,  and  the  adminit.lration  of  the  ordinances  in  it,  as  a  >^->^^^i/ 
ii.tiiict  ecclesiastial  society,  it  was  a  very  disagreeable  and    1 753, 
.oiinding  att'air   to  a  certain  class  of  men  in  the  colony. 
liioy  became  enemies  to  the  constitution  of  the  college, 
iiJirrcconcilable  enemies  to  the  president,  notwiihstand- 
intrhis  extraonlinary  care,  labors,  and  generosity  towards 
liie  college.     They  wrote  one  pamphlet  after  another  a- 
{raiiist  the  college  ;  against  its   constitution,  against  the 
resident  and  the  government  of  the  college.     It  was  insin- 
iia(cJ  that  there  was  corruption  in  the  treasury,  and  that 
jic  money  belonging  to  the  college  was  embezzled  or  mis- 
applied.    Much  was  said  against  the  government  of  the 
college  being  in  the  hands  of  the  clergy.     It  was  urged 
iJiat  visitors  ought  to  be  appointed  by  the  legislature  to 
examine  the  accounts  and  affairs  of  ihe  college.     One  of 
ihe  writers  who  employed  his  pen  and  talents  against  the 
college,  was  Dr.  Gale  of  Killingworth,  a  gentleman  well 
known  to  be  opposed  to  the  doctrines  contained  in  the  as- 
sembly's catechism,  and  in  the  Westminster  and  Savoy 
confessions  of  faith.  The  other  gentlemen  who  were  reput- 
ed to  be  writers  against  the  college,  lay  under  the  imputa- 
tion of  being  unfriendly  to  those  doctrines.   The  same  class 
of  men  wrote  against  the  government  of  the  colony  at  the 
same  time,  and  insinuated  that  there  was  mismanagement 
nrith  respect  to  the  affairs  of  the  public  treasury.     When 
the  dispute  afterwards  arose,  relative  to  the  ordination  at 
Wallingford,  the  writers  in  vindication  of  Mr.  Dana  and 
the  ordination  council,  introduced  the  alTairs  of  the  college, 
expressed  their  resentment  against  the  writer  of  the  Reli- 
gious institution  of  colleges,  and  their  disapprobation  of  the- 
forming  a  church  in  the  college.     Several  answers  were 
written  to  those  writers  against  the  college,  stating  the  ac- 
counts, and  correcting  their  mistakes  and  misrepresenta- 
tions; but  they  would  not  be  satisfied. 

In  May,  1763,  nice  gentlemen  preferred  a  memorial  lo    176.1. 
the  honorable  General  Assembly,  m  which  they  represen-  Memomt 
ted,  that  the  General  Assembly  were  the  founders  of  the  coUe^e. 
college  ;  and  as  such,  had  a  right  to  appoint  visitors,  and 
reform  abuses,  if  any  were  found.     This  right,  the  memo- 
rialists suggested,  ought  to  be  seasonably,  and  most  ex[>li- 
citly  vindicated  and  asserted;  or  otherwise  the  college 
might  become  too  independent ;  and  therefore  prayed  that 
the  said  assembly  would  pass  an  act,  to  authorise  an  appeal 
from  any  and  every  sentence  given  by  the  authority  of  the 
college,  to  the  governor  and  council  of  this  colony,  for  the 
fi«0  being :  and  that  the  assembly  would  immeaiately  is- 


320 


IllSTORV  OF 


^rtAp.  Xfl.  I  Chap.  XII 


■tr  ,'   /•%. 


¥r 


1763. 


^'iiinK'ICor 

Ihl;  IIK.'HIO- 

rialikts. 


Book  II.  «?ue  forth  a  commission  of  visiiation,  enabling  some  sulfa- 

bic  persons  to  inquire  into  ail  ihr  alVairs  of  said  colluifc 

and  eiUier  of  themselves  rectify  abuses,  which  thoy  may 

discover ;  or  make  report  of  what  they  shall  find,  wiih  thpj'r 

opinions  iJiereon,  to  the  said  assembly,  at  their  next  sis 

sion. 

The  counsel  for  the  memorialists,  were  Jared  Ingersoll 
and  Samuel  W.  Johnson,  Esquires,  the  two  most  learned 
and  famous  attornies,  at  that  day,  in  the  colony.  Great  ox- 
pectations  were  formed  by  the  enemies  of  the  college  from 
this  measure,  and  the  great  ability  of  their  counsel ;  and 
its  friends  were  not  without  fears  and  anxieties.  Gen- 
tlemen from  different  parts  repaired  to  Hartford,  to  hear 
tl\e  pleadings.  That  class  of  people,  who  had  been  so 
long  and  so  strongly  opposed  to  the  college,  flattered  them- 
selves with  the  [)rcasing  prospect  of  bringing  the  collegf. 
to  their  feet,  and  of  amply  reaping  the  fruit  of  their  past 
labors. 

President  Clap  viewed  the  cause  of  too  great  conse- 
quence to  be  trusted  in  any  hands  but  his  own  ;  and  judj;- 
«'d  it  his  duty,  in  faithfulness  to  the  founders  of  the  college, 
to  the  truth,  and  to  the  best  interests  of  the  churches,  (o 
employ  his  talents  for  the  defence  of  the  college,  and  to 
plead  the  cause  himself,  in  the  face  of  all  opposition. 

The  council  for  the  memorialists,  alledged,  that  the 
General  Assembly  founded  the  college,  by  giving  a  char- 
ter, in  the  year  1701  ;  which  contained  a  donation  of  about 
sixty  pounds  sterling,  to  be  annually  paid  out  of  the  pub- 
lic treasury  ;  and  by  sundry  subsequent  donations  :  espe- 
cially five  ti-acts  of  land,  in  the  year  1733 :  and  that  the 
j)resent  assembly,  as  successors  to  the  founders,  had  a  right 
of  visitation  by  the  common  law.  They  further  alledged, 
that  such  an  appeal,  and  visitation,  were  very  necessary 
to  preserve  the  good  order  and  regulations  of  the  college, 
upon  many  accounts,  and  particularly  to  preserve  ortho- 
doxy in  religion. 

The  president  replied  with  great  respect  to  the  assem- 
bly, and  with  such  knowledge  in  the  law,  as  commanded 
respect  and  admiration  from  all  who  heard  him. 

That  the  General  Assembly,  in  their  legislative  capaci- 
ty, had  the  same  authority  over  the  college,  and  all  the 
president,  persons  and  estates  belonging  to  it,  which  they  had  over 
all  other  persons  and  estates  in  the  colony,  he  readily  con- 
ceded ;  and  all  that  power  which  was  necessary  for  the 
good  of  the  college,  or  the  general  good  of  the  community. 
And  further,  that  an  especial  respect  and  gratitude  were 
due  to  them,  as  its  greatest  benefactors ;  yet,  he  alledged^ 


i;ir 


|)ibadin^. 


Thf  reply 
of  Uie 


lAP.  XII.  I  Chap.  XH. 


CONNECTICUT. 


3)9 


thnt  they  were  not  to  be  considered  as  founders  Or  visit-  Book  II. 
ors  in  the  sense  of  the  common  law.  That  the  first  trus-  s^-v-^^ 
ires,  undertakers  and  inspectors,  who  were  nominated  by  1763. 
the  ministers  with  the  general  consent  of  the  people,  and 
by  compact  became  a  society  or  qiUisi  corporation,  (as 
lord  Coke  expresses  it)  nearly  two  years  before  they  had 
a  charter,  were  the  founders  of  the  college ;  and  that  they 
formed  it,  by  making  a  large  and  formal  donation  of  books, 
above  a  year  before  they  had  a  charter  from  the  govern- 
jnent.  That  the  college  had  a  being,  not  only  injferi,  in 
the  purpose  and  intention  of  the  undertakers  (as  lord  Coke 
says*)  but  in  esse,  by  the  donation  of  books,  money  and 
land,  actually  made  to  it,  before  it  had  a  charter.  That 
major  Fitch,  of  Norwich,  made  a  donation,  in  writing,  to 
the  undertakers,  of  six  hundred  acres  of  land,  and  some 
materials  to  build  a  college  house,  in  the  time  of  the  sit- 
ting of  the  assembly,  some  days  before  the  charter  was 
given  ;  and  this  donation  he  made  to  the  collegiate  school^ 
as  already  set  up,  by  the  great  pains  and  charges  of  the 
ministers.  That  the  king,  by  giving  a  license  to  found  a 
college,  does  not  thereby,  in  law,  become  the  founder  in 
msu  dotationis ;  and  that  he  only  is  the  founder  of  those 
colleges  or  hospitals,  to  which  he  makes  the  first  donation 
for  founding*  That  lord  Coke  distinguished  between/un- 
ialor  incipiens  and  fundator  perficiens  ;  and  said  that  he 
only  is  the  founder  quoad  dotationem,  (to  whose  heirs  or 
successors  the  law  gives  a  right  of  visitation)  who  makes 
the  first  donation.!  And  the  right  of  visitation  arises  in 
law,  from  the  interest  which  the  founder  has  in  the  college 
or  hospital  by  his  donation.  For  if  it  be  essentially  per- 
verted from  the  design  for  which  it  was  given,  the  dona- 
tion became  void,  and  reverted  to  the  donor  or  his  heirs. 
The  first  donation  only  created  the  founder,  and  all  subse- 
quent donations  were  presumed  in  law  to  be  given  for  the 
same  end  and  design  with  the  first,  unless  some  particular 
limitation  be  expressly  made. 

That  if  a  common  person  makes  a  donation  to  found  a 
I  college  or  hospital,  though  ever  so  small,  and  the  king 
afterwards  endows  it  with  large  possessions,  yet  the  com- 
mon person  is  the  founder,  and  not  the  king.{ 

That  a  license  to  found,  and  a  charter  of  incorporation, 
I  are  in  their  own  nature  distinct ;  either  may  be  first,  in  law ; 
»nd  may  either  precede  or  succeed  the  first  frndamental 
I  donation. 

When  the  fundamental  donation  is  made  before  the  li- 
I  Cense  to  found,  there  the  license  is  only  a  formal  and  ex- 
^CokelORep.        t  Coke  10  Reporti.       t  Wood**  lutitutM. 

R2 


Lis 


1' 

11 

•i' 

1 

m 


mi 


3  30 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  Xlf. 


i-w 


Hook  11.  plit  it  roiifiiiVialion  from  the  crown,  of  what  was  bcforr 
^'^"'^''^tf  done  hy  the  general  license  given  by  the  common  and  sta- 
1 76.1.  lute  law  ;  by  which  every  man  may  give  his  estate  for  pub- 
lic, nious  and  charitable  uses,  upon  such  conditions  and 
regulations,  as  he  shall  see  cause.*  And  the  feoffees  in 
trust  are  the  legal  proprietors  of  such  donations,  accord- 
ing to  the  conditions  and  limitations  with  which  they  arc 
made ;  and  have  a  legal  right  to  hold  and  lease,  and  ii, 
dispose  of  the  profits  as  a  qmsi  corporation^  for  those  par- 
ticular purposes  :  and  may,  by  a  loiig  course  of  stated  and 
legular  conduct,  become  a  complete  legal  corporation,  by 
jircscriplion.  And  the  king^s  charter  or  license  only 
makes  or  declares  that  to  be  a  legal  corporation,  at  thr 
first,  which  may  become  such,  by  immemorial  usage  and 
custom. 

In  a  license  to  found,  the  wo^ds  Found,  Erect,  or  any 
words  of  the  like  import,  are  indifferent  in  law,  and  suffi- 
cient to  make   a   foundation ;  and  in  the  first  charter  oi 
grant  to  the  college,  these  words  are  promiscuously  used 
and  applied  to  the  first  trustees  only.     The  first  charter 
plainly  supposes  ten  trustees,  partners  or  undertakers  an- 
tecedently existing ;  and  a  school  already  founded  in  fact, 
(though  not  fully  and  completely  so  in  law)  by  donations! 
of  lands,  goods  and  monies,  before  given  i  and  therefore  | 
gives  them  a  full  legal  right,  liberty  and  privilege  to  pro- 
ceed in  erecting,  endowing  and  governing  the  school  ;| 
which  they  had  a  general  and  imperfect  tight  to  do  by 
the  common  law.    And  the  charter  declares  them  able  ini 
a  legal  capacity  to  "  demand,  hold  dnd  possess,  all  sucli 
lands,  goods  and  monies  as  have  heretofore  been  given, 
(as  Weil  as  those  which  might  hereafter  be  given)  for  thc| 
founding,  erecting  and  endowing  the  said  school." 

And  there  is  no  limitation  ;  that  their  giving  to  thefirMJ 
trustees  a  right  to  receive  sixty  pounds  of  the  public  trea- 
sury a  year  after,  and  annually,  and  to  improve  it  at  theirj 
discretion  for  the  good  of  the  school,  should  be  deemedl 
the  founding  of  it ;  to  be  sure  not  in  such  a  sense  as  to  an] 
iiul  the  former  foundation ;  much  less  could  any  endow 
me  nts  made  thirty  years  after,  make  them  the  founders  in  I 
the  sense  of  the  common  law.  Besides,  the  preamble  tol 
the  charter  of  1745,  expressly  says,  that  the  first  trustee*) 
founded  the  college. 

Further,  with  respect  to  an  "  appeal  from  all  and  evcryj 
scnlcnf^e  given  by  the  authority  oi  the  college,  to  thegov-i 
ernor  ancl  council  of  this  colony  for  the  time  being,"  a  J 
prayed  for  by  the  memorialists,  the  president  observecl.[ 

"  Sec  39  Eiu.  cliap.  ▼.  and  the  laws  of  Conoecticut, 


I  HAf .  XII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


.'5  J I 


ihat  it  would  retard  and  obstruct  all  the  prococdings  oi"  the  Book  11. 
lUihoriiy  of  the  college:  That  it  was  found  l)y  universal  s^-v">i*j 
rxprricnce,  that  in  all  instances  wherein  liberty  of  appeal    170). 
ij  allowed,  the  judgment  appealed  from  is  of  no  force  or 
(Ificacy,  except,  that  which  may  arise  from  the  extraordi- 
nary trouble  and  charge  of  bringing  the  case  to  trial  in  the 
(ourtlo  which  the  apjieal  is  made:  That  stich  avonstiui- 
tion  would  take  the  govcrnmci:t  of  the  college  wholly  out, 
of  the  hands  of  those  in  whom  it   was  originally  vested; 
and  be  contrary  to  the  charter.     That  such  an  universal 
liberty   of  appeal,  especially  in  criminal  cases,  was  not 
allowed  in  any  community  whatsoever ;  and  that  in  those 
fevir  instances  in  which  appeals  are  allowed  in  some  other 
colleges,  they  are  underpeculiarconditions  and  restrictions. 

With  respect  to  the  power  of  visitation,  the  president 
observed,  that  by  the  common  law  it  was  expressly  limit- 
ed to  the  statutes  of  the  founder  ;*  which  are  the  condi- 
tions or  limitations  of  the  use  of  the  founder's  donation  •, 
and  the  visitor  can  do  nothing  but  rectify  those  things 
which  are  plainly  repugnant  to  those  limitations  ;  or  claim 
a  forfeiture.  But  as  no  such  statutes  made  by  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  can  be  found,  such  visitors  would  have  no 
power  at  all,  or  be  altogether  arbitrary,  like  the  visitors 
sent  to  Magdalen  college  by  king  James  II. 

If  it  should  be  supposed,  that  there  is  an^  need  of  any 
I  overseers,  under  the  name  and  title  of  visitors,  the  first 
trustees  and  their  successors  may  be  properly  denomina- 
ted such ;  and  in  thQ  first  plan  of  the  college,  they  are  ex- 
I  pressly  called  inspectors.  That  to  have  visitors  over  visi- 
tors, or  inspectors,  would  make  endless  trouble  and  con- 
fusion. That  matters  of  property  must  be  determined  by 
the  stated  executive  courts,  according  to  the  course  of  the 
common  law,  but  to  erect  any  new  kind  of  court  over  the 
affairs  of  the  college,  which  are  committed  to  the  president 
and  fellows,  would  be  an  infringement  on  their  charter. 
Though  the  General  Assembly  still  retain  such  a  supreme 
power,  as  that  if  there  should  be  any  plain  breach  of 
trust,  cognizable  by  a  court  pf  chancery,  or  any  such  mis- 
conduct in  the  corporation,  as  should  be  plainly  detrimen- 
tal to  the  public  good,  they  may  rectify  it  in  their  legisla- 
I  live  capacity. 

The  last  great  public  good  pretended  to  be  aimed  at  by 

I  (he  memorialists,  was  the  preservation  of  orthodoxy  in  the 

college.    This  was  a  mere  pretence.    The  petitioners  and 

their  abettors  well  knew,  that  the  most  effectual  measures 

I  had  been  taken  to  preserve  the  orthodoxy  of  the  college, 

*  Lori  Raymond^s  Reports,  vol.  i>  p.  7. 


332 


HISTORY  OF 


^"AP.  XII.    I   Chap.  XI 


Book  II.  and  that  it  was  Rpcurrd  in  the  most  ofirctunl  manner,  innn 
entire  conformity  to  the  design  nnd  will  of  the  founder;, 
and  to  the  relieious  constitution  of  the  colony.     This  wa« 


1763. 


f  J ' 


gious  constitution  oi  tne  colony,  i  nis  wa« 
the  grand  difficulty,  and  the  principal  cause  of  their  oppo. 
sifion  to  the  college.  There  were,  at  that  time,  numbers 
of  leading  men  in  New-Haven,  and  in  other  parts  of  tho 
colony,  who  were  strongly  opposed  to  the  doctrines  con- 
tained in  the  confession  of  faith,  and  in  the  catechism  :  es- 
pecially to  the  doctrines  of  the  decrees,  of  the  divine  sove- 
reignty, of  election,  original  sin,  regeneration  by  the  super- 
natural influence  of  the  divine  Spirit,  and  the  persevcranco 
of  the  saints.  They  were  opposed  to  all  confessions  ol 
faith,  and  some  of  them  wrote  against  them.  Two,  or  more, 
even  of  the  corporation,  were  supposed  to  be  among  this 
number.  The  president  well  knew  them.*  In  his  reply, 
therefore,  to  this  part  of  the  memorial,  he  observed, 

That,  whatever  was  the  occasion  or  design  of  it,  he  was 
glad  that  such  an  important  point  was  moved.     That  it 
was  well  known,  that  the  president  and  fellows,  or  trus- 
tees, had,  from  the  beginning,  shewn  a  proper  care  and 
zeal  to  preserve  orthodoxy  in  all  the  governors  of  the  col- 
lege ;  and  to  such  a  degree,  as  to  be  disagreeable  tc  some 
gentlemen  of  late ;  who  had,  on  that  account,  endeavoured 
to  obstruct  the  government  and  flourishing  state  ot  the  col- 
lege.    That  the  orthodoxy  of  it  was  settled  and  secured  I 
upon  the  best  foundation  that  human  wisdom,  directed  by 
the  genvral  rules  of  God's  word,  could  devise.     That,  ac- 
cording to  the  original  design  of  the  founders  of  the  college, 
the  president,  fellows,  professor  of  divinity,  and  tutors,  are 
to  be  admitted  only  upon  condition  of  their  consent  to  the 
confession  of  faith,  agreed  upon  by  the  churches  of  tb  | 
colony,  anno  1 708,  and  established  bv  the  laws  of  the  gov- 
ernment.    That  there  was  not  the  like  security  of  the  or- 
thodoxy of  visitors,  or  any  other  in  the  civil  oraer,  except  I 
his  most  excellent  majesty ;  who,  by  the  act  of  union,  was 
obliged  to  consent  to  the  Westminster  confession  <  f  faith, 
received  in  the  church  of  Scotland,  as  being  agreeable  to 
the  word  of  God,  and  containing  the  sum  and  substance  of 
the  doctrine  of  the  reformed  churches.     And  that,  as  the ' 
governors  of  the  college  were  satisfied  that  the  body  of  th'^ 
honourable  assembly  were  fully  orthodox,  so  they  were  I 
entirely  easy  unde't  their  superintendence,  relying,  princi- 
pally, upon  the  care  of  the  great  Head  of  the  church;  yet  I 
they  could  not  have  the  same  security  in  any  other  order  oil 
men,  who  might  be  substituted  by  them.     And  that  one  [ 

*  The  president  with  the  feilows  had  attempted  to  examind  on«  of  tbe  I 
corporation,  but  he  would  not  submit  to  it. 


Ar.  XII.    I    Chap.  XII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


333 


union,  was 


iod  on<  of  the  I 


principal  reason  why  ihry  opposed  all  innovations  in  tlir  Hook  II. 
constitution  and  government  of  the  college,  was,  lest  they  -^^-v-^/ 
mipht  hereafter  have  an  ill  influence  upon  its  orthotloxy  ;    iTTiJ. 
which  the  president  and  fellows,  accortling  to  the  trust  re- 
posed in  t'l^m  by  the  founders,  and  by  the  (ieneral  Assem- 
bly, wer^  lully  determined  to  maintain  and  preserve,  to 
the  utmost  of  their  power. 

When  the  pleadings  and  arguments  of  the  memorialists, 
and  of  the  president,  had  been  fully  heard  and  considered, 
there  were  but  a  very  small  number  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, who  were  of  the  opinion  that  they  were  the  founders 
nf  the  college,  or  that  the  orth(jdoxy  of  it  was  in  danger. 
The  assembly,  therefore,  acted  nothmg  upon  the  memorial. 

The  memorialists,  and  their  whole  party,  were  greatly 
disappointed  and  chagrined,  and  the  president  got  much 
honour  by  the  defence  which  he  made  of  the  college.  lie 
appeared  to  be  a  man  of  extensive  knowledge  and  real 
<;rcatness.  In  points  of  law,  especially  as  they  respected 
( olieges,  he  appeared  to  be  superior  to  all  the  lawyers,  so 
that  his  antagonists  acknowleoged  that  he  knew  more,  and 
was  wiser  than  all  of  them.  The  question  relative  to  th» 
assembly's  being  the  founders  of  the  college,  and  having  a 
right  of  visitation,  has  never  been  publicly  disputed  sinc^ 
and  it  is  believed  that  it  never  will  be  again. 

About  this  time,  the  Rev.  Jared  Elliot,  of  Killingworth, 
in  his  last  will,  gave  seven  pounds  ten  shillings  sterling,  to 
be  put  out  at  interest,  and  the  interest  of  it  to  be  expended 
in  purchasing  books  for  the  library,  from  ^ime  to  time,  at 
the  discretion  of  the  president  and  fellows. 

While  these  alTairs  had  been  transacting,  the  president 
proposed  the  scheme  of  building*  a  new  hall,  or  chapel,  for 
(he  greater  convenience  of  the  college.  This,  notwith- 
standing all  the  opposition  which  had  been  made  to  it,  was 
in  a  very  flourishing  state.  Though  the  country  had  been 
involved  in  a  long  and  expensive  war,  and  the  burthens 
had  been  great,  yet  the  number  of  the  st'idents^  for  several 
ye^rs,  had  been  not  less  than  an  hundred  and  seventy.  It 
hecame,  therefore,  extremely  inconvenient  to  hold  aU  re- 
ligious and  scholastic  exercises  in  the  old  college  hall,  and 
!o  use  It  also  as  a  dining  room,  which  had  been  the  custom. 
The  library,  at  the  same  time,  was  become  too  small  to 
contain  the  number  of  books  and  the  apparatus.  A  suc- 
cessful subscription  for  that  purpose,  had  been  set  forward ; 
and  in  April,  1761,  the  foundation  of  the  chapel  was  laid, 
and  the  outside  was  nearly  finished  that  summer.  It  was 
built  with  brick,  fifty  feet  long  and  forty  feet  wide,  with 
a  steeple  and  galleries,  in  whicli  aje  three  rostra,  for  ora- 


3.JI 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XII. 


DnoK  II.  tinns,  disputations,  &ic.  with  a  library  ovrr  the  whole.     Ii 

>0^x^^  was  erected  near  the  south   end  of  the  brick  college,  oi 

1764.    Connecticut  Hall,  with  a  view,  that  when  another  coiici^u 

should  be  built,   it  nii|;ht  be  set  near  the  south  end  of  tho 

chapel,  ranging  in  a  line  with  the  other  collegiate  build. 

ines. 

rhc  chapel  was  opened  in  June,  1763,  by  a  sermon, 
preached  by  the  profossor,  in  the  presence  of  the  presidrni 
and  fellows,  and  a  large  number  of  other  \.  ntlcmen,  who 
assembled  on  the  occasion.  The  president  and  fcllou.s 
voted,  that  the  chapel  should,  hereafter,  be  used  for  the  rr- 
ligious  and  scholastic  meetings  and  exercises,  for  which 
the  old  college  hall  had  been  used  before.  The  cost  ol 
the  building  thus  far,  was  about  seven  hundred  and  fifteen 
pounds  sterling.*  The  conveniences  of  it  were  found  to 
oe  very  many  and  great.  It  was  not  finished  at  this  time. 
A  desk  only,  and  some  seats,  were  prepared  for  present 
use.  The  president  and  fellows  had  not  money,  at  that 
time,  to  proceed  any  further ;  but  subscriptions  and  means, 
not  long  after,  were  found  for  finishing  it  with  a  handsome 
steeple,  which  was  an  ornament,  not  only  to  the  building, 
but  to  the  town. 

Richard  Jackson,  £sq.  member  of  parliament,  and  agent 
for  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  gave  a  hundred  povnds  to- 
%vards  finishing  the  chapel. 

A  considerable  number  of  gentlemen  in  New-Haven 
subscribed  generously  towards  erecting  the  steeple. 

*  JC183  waa  raised  by  subscriptioo. 
JS286  lOs.  was  paid  out  of  the  college  treasury. 
jQe45  13s.  9d.  out  of  the  treasury  of  the  colony. 
A  list  of  the  principal  subscribers  for  building  the  chapel,  may  be  wea 
in  president  Clap^s  history  of  the  college,  published  in  1766. 


HAP.  XIIT.  CONNECTICUT. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


335 


Hook  II. 


1730. 


Diffuullies  arise  at  MU/ord,  on  the  account  of  Mr.  Whittel- 
sry.  Debates  and  heat  in  the  council^  called  to  ordain 
him.  There  loas  such  opposition  to  his  ordination,  that 
the  council,  at  first,  could  not  af^ree  to  ordain.  But  after- 
wards, on  Qertain  conditions,  agreed  upon  bxf  the  parties, 
proceed  to  his  ordination.  The  minorxty,  who  opposed  his 
ordination,  fulfil  the  condition  mutually  agreed  upon.  But 
the  majority  woidd  by  no  means  comply  with  it.  They,  on 
the  contrary,  by  all  means  opposed  their  aggrieved  breth- 
ren.  The  minority,  some  time  after,  having  qualified 
themselves  according  to  law,  separated  from  the  first  church 
and  society,  and  held  a  distinct  meeting  by  themselves.  As 
the  association  wovid  give  them  no  advice,  or  countenarccj 
theu  pui  themselves  under  the  presbytery.  They  call  and 
ordain  Mr.  Prudden,  Obtain  a  release  from  taxation  by 
the  first  society.  They  are  vested  with  the  privileges  of 
other  ecclesiastical  soctetieSf  and  obtain  their  proportion  of 
the  parsonage  lands, 

THE  church  and  town  of  Milford,  hrd  been  peculiarly 
happy  in  a  lone  succession  of  worthy  pastors,  under 
whose  ministry  they  had  enjoyed  great  peace  and  satisfac- 
tion,  until  nearly  the  close  of  the  life  of  that  learned,  pious 
and  venerable  man,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Andrew.  But  now, 
by  reason  of  age  and  many  infirmities,  he  was  rendered 
unable  to  perform  the  labours  of  the  ministry,  and  Mr. 
Samuel  Whittelsey,  son  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Whittelsey,  of 
VVallingford,  had  been  invited  to  preach  in  the  town,  and 
to  settle  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  as  colleague  pastor 
with  Mr.  Andrew.    This  occasioned  an  unhappy  division  n:«:.:*-  ;., 

1111  mi  1     1  rrJ ,     .  UiTisiOli  in 

in  the  church  and  town.  Though  there  was  a  majority  for  Milford . 
Mr.  Whittelsey,  yet  there  was  a  strong  and  respectable 
minority  in  opposition  to  his  settlement.  The  opposition 
arose  on  account  of  his  religious  sentiments.  The  peo- 
ple in  the  opposition,  conceived  that  Mr.  Whittelsey  was 
not  sound  in  faith,  but  had  imbibed  the  opinions  of  Armin- 
ius.  They  were  not  satisfied  and  edified  with  his  preach- 
ing, as  they  wished  to  be.  They  could  not  choose  him  for 
a  minister,  either  for  themselves,  or  for  their  children. 

When  the  ordaining  council  came  together,  the  people 
in  opposition  to  tae  settlement  of  Mr.  Whittelsey,  appear- 
ed so  strong,  and  urged  their  objections  with  so  much  ap- 
parent concern  and  conscientiousness,  tha*.  a  majority  oi 


I-'"  J 


1' 


.134 


HISTORY  OK 


^MAf.  Xllf.    I    ^"'''  ^' 


Hook  lit  ilir  cntitK  il  wrro  agninst  «hf  onhjialion,  uri(l«r  ihf  then 
'^^'^'''^^  |>irs('iil  rirrumJitanccH.     Thi^  or«  ii^ioru'd  a  ur«:it  tlivision 
l7.iU.     ami  animoHily  in  the  council.     Mr.  WhiflclsiyN  IrifiKls 
urK^d  the  onlinntion  with  Krrai  warm»h  arnl  cn^aurdtifss. 
Mr.  Whittolsfv'.s  father,  who  had  tiiorf  influencr  Uiati  any 
olhrrmaiiin  the  council,  pressed  th*-  onJination  of  his  son 
with  great  Zealand  vehemence.     Mr.  Noyes,  Mr.  llall,ot 
Cheshire,   Mr.  Stiles,  and  some  other  of  the  ministers  in 
the  council,  were  very  much  at  his  devotion.     Besides, 
Mr.  Hall  was  brother  in  law  to  his  honour,  esf|uire  I, aw, 
then  deputy  governor  of  the  colony,  who  was  the  principal 
man  in  the  majority  for  the  ordination.     These  were  iho 
eldest  ministers  in  the  council,  and  did  not  know  how  tr> 
bear  opposition  from  youneer  men,  and  from  the  mcssen- 
f;crs  of  the  churches.     The  debate  in  the  council  was, 
therefore,  managed  with  unusual  heat  and  engagedness.* 
his  honour,  the  deputy  governor,  was  at  the  head  of  the 
majority,  who  insisteu  on  the  ordination.     In  these  cir- 
cumstances, the  minority  were  under  very  great  disadvan- 
tages, with  respect  to  a  fair  and  impartial  hearing,  and  dc- 
1'lm  conn-  cision  of  the  case.     It,  however,  appeared  to  a  majority  of 
nl  at  iir«t   ^\^^  council,  SO  unadvisablc  to  ordain  againsi  such  a  mi- 
duiillinj.     norily,  that  a  vote  for  the  ordination,  under  the  then  pres- 
ent circumstances,  could  not  be  obtained. 

In  this  state  of  the  business,  it  was  necessary  to  find 
some  expedient,  which  might  induce  the  majority  of  the 
council  to  concur  in  the  ordination  of  the  pastor  elect ;  to 
bring  the  parties  to  some  compromise,  which  might,  in 
some  measure,  case  the  minority,  and  afford  a  more  fa- 
vburable  prospect  of  preserving  the  union  of  the  church 
and  town.  For  this  purpose,  the  following  proposal  was 
made  :  That  the  minority  should  hear  Mr.  Whittelsey  six 
months  longer,  with  a  view  to  obtain  satisfaction  with  re 
spect  to  his  doctrines,  and  manner  of  preaching ;  and  th.M, 
if  they  did  not,  in  that  time,  obtain  satisfaction,  that  then 
the  church  and  town  should  call  and  settle  another  man, 
whom  they  should  choose,  as  a  colleague  pastor  with  Mr. 
Whittelsey,  to  preach  one  half  the  time.  To  this  the  par- 
ties mutually  agreed.  This  appeared  to  give  a  fair  pros- 
pect of  peace  and  harmony  in  the  town,  if  the  parties 
would  do  their  duty,  and  fulfil  their  agreement.  It  wouli! 
give  time  and  opportunity  for  Mr.  Whittelsey  to  satisfy  liie 
minority,  and  to  lay  a  foundation  for  a  peaceAil  and  exi  n- 
sively  useful  ministry,  if  he  would  come  forward,  and 

*  I  have  been  told  by  one  of  the  elders,  who  was  a  member  of  the  coun- 
«'N,  that  the  debate  was  with  so  mucb  passioji,  tiiat  fists  were  doubkd  oa  | 
iliv-  occasidu. 


OiAr.  XIll: 


CONNFCTICl'T. 


5J1 


prrnrh  th"  (liHiJniriii^liitig  (lo<  irinoM  ol  \hv  f;o^|Hl,  ami  vx-  Rook  II. 
I>«rimi>iitiil,   hciirt   rfli^ioii.     Mr.  WliittrUiy  would   have  v^^v^ 
Mfonj;  ifMliHt'iiitnts  lo  do  this,  lor  ihc  good  of  dir  church    I73H. 
jitid  town,  for  his  own  honour,  pturr,  und  U!»ffuhii>»».     As 
nrithrr  of  the   parries  ( onid  wish  10  be  ut  die  expense  of 
iii|)r)oriin>;  two  miiii<«i('r>t,  Jhcrr  were  motives  Co  iiiiluenee 
lx»in  to  he  at  jM-atc.     At  the  same  time,  a  way  was  provi- 
(|«><l.  for  the  relief  of  the  minority,  if  they  should  not  obtain  ir,.on 
vitisfuction,  and  for  the  preservation  of  the  union  of  the  «<r.;«ment 
(liurrh  and  town,  l)y  the  UL'reemenlof  the  majority  to  set-  J*'  ^'y*"' 
tic  another  man,  who  shouUI   be  agreeable  to  their  breth- ,.'"„'j,(,|''y,. 
rrn.     In  these  views  the  council  proceeded  to  the  ordiitu-  daiu. 
lion  of  Mr.  Whitlelsey.* 

The  minority  continued  to  hear  Mr.  Whittelsey,  not  on-  T^*  "J- 
ly  the  whole  term  of  six  months,  but  for  nearly  two  years,  "("^"J*  '"** 
wishing,  if  possible,  to  obtain  satisfaction,  and  continue  in  aijnf!- 
union  and  peace  with  their  brethren,  as  they  had  always  "»«"<• 
liefore  done.     But,  on  a  full  and  patient  hearing  of  Mr. 
IVhittelscy,  and  taking  all  proper  pains  for  satisfaction, 
they  became  more  fixed  in  their  opinion  of  his  unsound- 
ness in  principle,  and  of  deficiency  in  experimental  preach- 
ing, than  at  the  time  of  his  ordination.     Thoy  judged,  that, 
in  faithfulness  to  God,  themselves,  and  their  children,  they 
oould  no  longer  continue  solely  under  his  ministry.   They, 
•hcrefore,  in  1740,  applied,  first  to  the  church,  and  then  to 
the  town,  for  relief,  according  to  the  original  agreement. 
Hut  neither  woiild  the  church,  nor  the  town,  take  any  mca-  Thcma^ 
sures  for  the  settlement  of  another  man,  as  colleague  withJ^i^'y ''^" 
Mr.  Whitlflsey.     They  were  entirely  satisfied  with  him^J/a*' 
ihemstlves.     lie  had  been  examined,  and  approved,  ascompli- 
m)uikI  in  the  faith,  was  a  gentleman  of  respectable  talents^  an^e. 
of  gravity,  and  unblemished  morals.     They  judged  that  J;g""JJy. 
'heir  brethren,  of  the  minority,   therefore,  had  no    just  sal. 
>;i'ounds  of  uneasiness ;  but  ought  to  be  satisfied,  as  well  a« 
ihemselvesi     They  had  postponed  their  application  for 
another  pastor,  much  beyond  the  time  agreed  upon.     They 
could  not,  therefore,  by  any  arguments  be  prevailed  upon 
to  settle  another  man,  nor  to  adopt  any  means  for  their  re- 
lief or  satisfaction.     So  far  were  they  from  this,  that  they 
opposed  all  their  measurfs   for  relief,  in  any  way  whatso- 
ever. 

Finding,  by  sad  experience,  that  no  relief  was  to  be  ob- 
tained from  their  brethren  of  the  church  and  town,  they 
made  application  to  the  association  for  advice,  as  they 
wished  to  proceed  regularly  in  obtaining  what  they  esteem- 
ed the  true  preaching  of  the  gospel,  for  themselves  and 
*  Mr.  Whittelsey  was  ordained- 
S2 


14 


2:iS 


ftlSTORY  OF 


Chap,  .tlli 


FoOK  II. 


1740. 

Til'"   A'-Kt- 

ri.itioii  will 
pivf  nobd- 
\»if  to  the 
Uiiiiority. 


They  sep- 
arate, and 
MTorghip  bj 
Miein- 
Klve«. 


F  ♦loafed 
iyom  taxa- 
litoa. 


4  liiidrrn.  Put  the  a<isociatioii  woul<l  give  thorn  no  atlvic  o. 
nor  countenance.  This  consisted,  in  a  considorablc  part. 
of  tho8C  leading  gentlemen  who  hnd  so  zealously  urged  th' 
ordination  of  Mr.  Whittelsey,  wittiout  any  agreement  h« 
tween  the  parties.  They  had  since  eiamined,  approved, 
and  ordained  hinr.  Objccfions  against  hinr,  as  not  ortlio. 
dox  and  experimental,  with  (hem,  could  have  no  weight. 
To  be  consistent  with  themselves,  ihey  could  not  but  con- 
sider the  minority  as  unreasonable,  and  faulty,  in  their  un- 
easiness and  oppositbn.  They,  doubtless,  as  well  as  the 
church  and  town,  judged,  that  the  settling  of  another  pastor 
was  unnecessary,  and  would  be  an  unreasonable  and  un- 
profitable burthen  on  the  }»eople.  They  might  judge  tha*. 
the  agreement  had  better  be  broken  than  kept.  In  thesr^ 
circumstances,  noting,  favourable  to  the  minorify  could  be 
ex[)ected  from  them. 

After  a  state  of  controversy  and  perplexity,  for  about  r* 
year  longer,  they  qualified  thcmselveis,  according  to  law. 
as  a  soberly  dissenting  society,  and  obtained  leave  of  the 
county  court  to  worship  by  themselvesr  They  then  sepa- 
rated from  the  first  church  and  society,  and  held  their  nrst 
meeting  by  themselves,  on  the  first  sabbatli  in  December, 
1741,  The  next  year  they  built  them  a  decent  house  for 
public  worship.     In  1743,  they  put  themselves  under  the 

f)resbytery  of  New-Brunswick.  The  brethren,  who  had 
)cen  members  of  the  first  church  in  Milford,  were  formed 
into  a  church  state  upon  the  presbytcrian  plan,  and  made 
choice  of  a  ruling  elder.  But  the  first  society  opposed  and 
oppressed  them.  They  taxed  them  (or  all  society  expen- 
.ses,  for  about  twelve  years  after  the  ordination  of  Mr. 
Whittelsey ;  and  annually  made  them  pay  to  his  support, 
and  fo«'all  other  society  purposes,  no  less  than  themselves. 
They  also  excluded  them  from^  all  benefit  in  their  propor- 
tion of  the  parsonage  lands.  It  was  not  until,  the  session 
of  the  General  Assembly  in  1750,  that  they  were  able  lo 
obtain  a  release  from  taxation  by  the  first  society.  Both 
the  town  and  association  made  all  the  opposition  to  them 
in  their  power.  They  took  measures  to  prevent  their  ob- 
taining preaching,  eitlier  by  candidates,  or  regularly  or- 
dained ministers.^  By  the  advice  and  assistance  of  the 
presbytery,  they  procured  a  liearned  and  pious  young  gen- 
tlemen, Mr.  Samuel  Finley,  afterwards  president  of  the 
college  in  New- Jersey,  to  preach  for  them ;  but  governor 
Law,  taking  advantage  of  the  persecuting  laws  then  in 
force,  ordered  him  to  be  carried  from  constable  to  consta- 
ble, and  from  one  town  to  another,  until  he  should  be  con* 
veyed  out  of  tlio  coiony.^ 


('Hir.  XIII* 


CONNECTICUT. 


S39 


1747. 


The  Rev.  Mr.  Pomcroy,  of  Hebron,  preached  to  tlioni  Book  II. 
occasionally,  and  he  was  arrested  by  a  civil  officer  and  car- 
icd  to  Hartford  to  answer  for  his  conduct  before  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly.  The  association  of  the  county  of  New- 
Haven,  frowned  upon  and  even  censured  those  who  prearh- 
f>d  to  them,  and  who  assisted  in  (brming  them  into  a  dis- 
linct  church. 

They,  neverlheless,  endured  their  troubles  with  pa- 
tionce  and  perseverance,  until,  at  length,  ihey  obtained 
Mr.  Job  Pnidden,  a  pious  young  gentleman,  who  had 
jTraduated  at  Yale  College,  in  1743,  to  preach  with  them. 
in  his  talents,  preaching,  meek  and  prudfent  conduct,  upon  „  „ 
proper  trial,  they  were  entirely  ana  universally  satisfied,  jenor-"' 
He  was  ordained  by  the  presbytery  of  New-Brutiswick,  in  dai«e<i. 
May,  1747.  The  association  of  New-Haven  county,  were 
.so  displeased  with  their  brethren  of  the  presbytery,  in 
countenancing  the  minority,  afterwards  called  the  second 
society,  and  ordaining  their  pastor,  that  they  passed  a 
censure  upon  them.*  This  seems  to  have  been  inconsist- 
ent with  the  heads  of  agreement,  which  had  been  received 
as  part  of  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  of  the  colony.  In 
this,  the  united  ministers,  formerly  called  presbyterian 
and  congregational,  expressly  say,  "We  agree  that 
particular  societies  of  visible  saints,  who,  under  Christ 
iheir  head,  are  statedly  joined  together,  for  ordinary  com- 
munion with  one  another  in  all  the  ofdi^ances  of  Christ, 
are  particular  churches,  and  are  to  be  owned  by  each 
other,  as  instituted  churches  of  Christ,  though  differing  in 
apprehensions  and  practice  in  some  lesser  thmgs.^t 

Notwithstanding  all  the  opposition  made  to  this  people, 
continuing  united  in  the  calvinistic  doctrines,  ana  in  the 
love  of  experimental  preaching,  and  having  in  Mr.  Prud- 
den,  a  prudent,  laborious  and  faithful  pastor,  they  increas- 
ed and  Decame  respectable.  Affairs  and  opinions  were 
much  altered  in  the  colony,  men  of  different  views  and  feel- 
ings were  chosen  into  the  assembly,  and  in  the  session  in 
May,  1760,  they  were  vested  with  the  same  privileges  as 
other  ecclesiastical  societies  in  the  colony  enjoy.  Ten 
years  after,  in  May,  1 770,  they  obtained,  by  an  act  of  the 
General  Assembly,  their  part  in  the  parsonage  lands. 

Though  at  the  time  of  the  separation  there  was  great 
animosity,  and  there  were  hard  thoughts  and  unhappy 
feelings  between  the  two  societies,  yet  their  differences 
are  now  overlooked  and  forgotten.  The  pastors  ari4 
churches  are  united  in  doctrine  and  brotherly  love. 

*  Records  of  the  aisociation  or  the  county  of  New-Haven. 

t  Heads  of  Agreement,  Article  U.  cif  churchfts  and  church  inembetJ, 


i*^ 


V 


m 


HISTORY  OF' 


Ciui'.  X\\ 


1742.  CHAPTER  XIV. 

Separation  at  New- Haven,  Camc.i  of  it,  Connrih  cnllul 
by  the  people  who  were  dissatisfied  wi!h  the  Rev.  Mr. 
jioyes.  The  doings  of  those  councils.  The  call  and  in- 
stallation of  the  Rev.  Air,  Bird. 

SOON  after  ihe  rommenccment  of  the  religious  awaken- 
ing, in  Connecticut  and  New-England,  there  arose  a 
great  uneasiness  and  dissatisfaction,  in  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  the  first  church  and  congregation  in  New-Haven, 
under  the  preaching  and  administrations  of  their  pastor,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Noyes.  Though  he  had  the  gift  of  prayer,  and 
was  edifying  in  that  part  of  worship,  yet  he  was  unauimai- 
ing  and  unpopular  in  his  preaching.  His  language  was 
vulgar,  and  his  zealous  calvinistic  hearers  did  not  consider 
him  as  so  plainly  and  faithfully  preaching  the  doctrines  of 
human  depravity,  of  regeneration  by  the  supernatural  in- 
fluences  of  the  divine  Spirit,  and  of  its  absolute  necessity 
that  men  might  be  saved ;  of  effectual  callii:,^  i 'ustifica- 
tion  by  faith  only,  as  a  minister  of  the  gor  .  sght  by 
all  means  to  do.  They  did  not  conceive  hiru  as  making 
proper  distinctions  between  true  and  false  religion,  and 
preaching  in  such  a  manner  as  had  a  tendency  to  sho  /  to 
hypocriteis  and  secure  sinners,  their  danger  and  misery. 
From  the  manner  of  his  preaching,  especially  on  sacra- 
mental occasions,  suspicions  arose,  that  he  did  not  hold 
the  real  divinity  of  the  Saviour.  Besides,  he  appeared 
wholly  unfriendly  to  the  religious  awakening  and  concern 
in  the  country,  arid  to  the  zealous  and  experimental  preach- 
ers by  whom  it  was  promoted.  He  excluded  them  from 
his  pulpit,  and  openly  approved  of  the  persecuting  laws 
and  measures  of  the  civil  authority  of  that  day.  These 
were  all  matters  of  grievance  to  them.  They  could  not 
hear  such  preaching  at  home  as  they  desired,  nor  could 
they  go  abroad  without  giving  offence.  After  repeated 
conversations  with  Mr.  Noyes  on  their  grievances,  and 
much  pains  to  obtain  satisfaction,  they  could  obtain  noni 
either  in  private  conversation,  nor  by  his  preaching  in 
public.  They  drew  articles  of  charge  or  grievance  and 
presented  them  to  Mr.  Noyes,  desiring  that  they  might  be 
'communicated  to  the  church  and  society,  and  solicited  a 
mutual  council,  to  hear  and  give  advice  in  their  difficulties. 
But  instead  of  this,  their  grievances  were  greatly  increas- 
k(\  by  Mr.  Noyes'  leading  his  church  to  vote  ia  (he  Say 


Khap.  XIV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


34] 


t)r(Mik  platform,  and  at  the  same  time  excluding  some  from  Pook  II. 
thf  privilege  of  voting  in  the  atfair.  In  these  circum-  -^^^s/-*^ 
stances,  as  they  could  not  obtain  a  mutual  council,  nor  any  1 74 -, 
redress  of  their  grievances,  they  took  benefit  of  the  act  of 
loieration,  and  separated  from  the  worship  and  ordinances 
in  the  first  church,  to  which  they  originally  belonged,  and 
set  up  a  distinct  worship  by  themselves.  They  pro- 
fessed their  desires,  however,  to  have  their  grievances 
hoard  by  a  mutual  council ;  but  Mr.  Noyes  would  not  con- 
sent. Therefore,  soon  after  their  separation,  they  pro- 
ceeded to  call  a  council  of  their  own.  It  consisted  of  the 
Rev.  Messrs.  Samuel  Cooke,  John  Graham,  Elisha  Kent 
and  Joseph  Bellamy.  They  convened  at  New-Haven,  on 
the  Sth  of  May,  1 742.  After  a  full  hearing  of  the  aggriev- 
ed brethren,  they  came  to  the  ibllowing  resolution,  in  ef- 
fect, That  the  first  church  in  iSew-Haven  were,  by  their 
own  religious  and  solemn  profession  and  confederation,  a 
particular  church  of  Christ,  vested  with  all  powers  neces- 
sary for  their  own  confirmation,  government  and  edifica- 
tion, long  before,  until  and  at  the  time  of  the  Synod  at 
Saybrook,  in  1708,  and  consequently  were  not  dependent 
on  it,  nor  any  thing  consequent  thereon. 

That  according  to  the  original  constitution  and  con- 
federation, members  had  been  admitted  to  full  communion, 
in  gospel  ordinances  and  church  privileges ;  that  said 
church  ever  continued,  in  fact,  upon  their  original  footing 
and  ecclesiastical  regimen,  till  the  23d  of  last  January, 
when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Noyes,  secluding  a  number  of  the 
brethren  from  a  meeting  then  held,  led  the  rest  of  tiie 
])rethren  to  vote  a  conformity  to  Saybrook  platform,  whicii 
they  considered  as  breaking  in  upon,  and  depriving  them 
of  their  long  and  peaceably  enjoyed  privileges.     That  the 

Eastor  of  the  church  and  their  brethren,  by  this  means, 
ad  forced  the  aggrieved  brethren,  to  take  benefit  of  the 
act  of  toleration,  that  they  might  enjoy  their  ancient  rights 
and  privileges.  That  as  said  aggrieved  brethren  had  now 
qualified  themselves  according  tq  that  act,  they  stood  fair 
to  be  reinstated  in  their  former  poweri^  and  privileges,  ac- 
cording to  their  original  constitution. 

They  also  further  resolved,  that  they  saw  no  inconsisten- 
cy  for  ministers  well  approving  of  any  other  ecclesiastical 
constitution,  yet  to  afford  ail  needful  assistance  to  others 
of  different  sentiments,  in  matters  extra  essential,  on  their 
calling  fcr  their  help.  That  others  had  acted  on  the  same 
principles;  particulatly  the  congregational  ministers  'u\ 
Boston.* 
"  Theie  bad  asdsted  in  the  ordioatioo  of  a  baptist  minister. 


iJ4'2 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.   XIV. 


.Chiircli 
formed. 


Declara- 
tion and 
profeB- 


Tlint  upon  the  desire  of  their  brellircn,  seeing  their  way 
clear  to  proceed  'o  reinstate  themselves,  as  aforesaid,  un- 
der the  conduct  of  this  convention,  we  are  ready  on  th« 
morrow  {in  case  the  day  be  set  ap»rt  .0  fasting  and  prayer) 
to  attend  the  business  openly  in  the  place  appointed  for 
their  public  worship. 

Acconiingly  the  next  day  was  attended  as  a  day  of  sol- 
emn  fasting  and  prayer.  Two  sermons  were  delivercri ; 
one  in  the  forenoon  by  Mr.  Graham,  and  the  other  in  thr 
afternoon  by  Mr.  Bellamy.  At  the  same  time,  eighteen 
brethren  and  twenty riivo  sisters,  forty-'.hree  in  the  whole, 
subscribed  the  confession  of  faith  and  church  covenant, 
which  had  been  used  in  the  ancient  chUrch  of  New-Haven, 
from  the  beginning;  and  on  their  I  sing  distinctly  read, 
publicly  ancf  expressly  gave  their  asctnt  and  consent  to 
them.  They  also  publicly  declared  and  covenanted  in  the 
following  manner,  viz : 

"  Whereas,  in  addition  to  other  grievances  too  tedious 
?nd  unnecessary  here  to  enumerate,  of  which  we  would 
not  willingly  perpetuate  the  memory,  a  considerable  pn 
of  th?  f^rst  church  in  New-Haven  hav€  latply,  viz.  on  the 
25th  day  of  January  last,  under  the  conduct  of  their  p^e^ 
((jnt  pastor,  voted  a  conformity  to  the  Saybrook  platform, 
and  in  consequence  of  it,  (to  show  more  plainly  the  design 
of  said  vote)  at  the  same  time,  by  their  vote,  carried  to 
the  standing  consociation  of  this  county  a  complaint 
against  sundry  members  of  said  church,  thereby  owning  a 
juridical  and  decisive  authority  in  the  said  stated  consocia- 
tion, contrary  to  the  known,  fundamental  principle  and 
practice  of  said  church,  time  out  of  mind,  whici:  has  al> 
ways  denied  any  juridical  or  decisive  authority  under 
Christ,  vested  in  any  particular  persons  or  claso,  over  any 
particular  congregational  church  confederated  as  this : 

"  We  the  subscribers,  members  of  said  church,  firmly 
adhering  to  the  congregational  principles  and  privileges  on 
which  the  said  church  was  founded,  and  hath  stood  unsha- 
ken from  the  beginning,  through  successive  gei^erations, 
until  the  25th  day  of  January  last,  being  by  the  said  inno- 
vations hereunto  necessitated,  apprehend  ourselves  called 
of  God,  in  company,  to  vindicate  our  aI^^ent  rightful  pow- 
ers and  privileges,  and  to  put  ourselves  into  a  proper  ca- 
pacity for  the  enjoyment  thereof,  upon  the  ancient  rooting. 
Akid  for  that  purpose,  do  now,  under  the  conduct  of  di- 
vine providence,  numbly  sought,  by  fasting  and  prayer, 
assume  a  church  state  of  the  gospel,  on  the  ancient  basis 
of  that  church,  whereof  we  stood  membc.s,  in  fact,  as  well 
^s  of  right,  until  the  unhappy  period  above  mfi^lonecl. 


r,HAP 


..ViV. 


CONNECTICCT. 


ui 


leir  prec- 
platform, 
;ne  design 
;arried  to 
complaini 
owning  a 
consocia- 
ciple  and 
;ii  has  al- 
rity  under 
over  any 
this : 
■ch,  firmly 
ivileges  on 
ooA  unsha- 
iiierations, 
said  inno- 
ves  called 
htful  pow- 
propcr  ca- 
jnt  footing, 
duct  of  01- 
nd  prayer, 
cient  Iwsis 
^ct,  as  well 
mentioned. 


irhcrrin  the  prtstorand  a  number  of  the  brethren  with  him,  Book  II. 
went  otf  from  the  ancient  foundation  as  aforesaid.  s^-v^^/ 

''And  we,  with  all  affection  invite  others,  the  members    1742. 
of  !>aid  church,  who  do  or  may  see  just  cause  of  grievance 
,t  the  said  innovations,  to  join  with  us  in  asserting  our  an- 
ciont  rightful  powers  and  privileges  brokeh  in  upon. 

"  We  solemnly  declare  our  belief  of  the  christian  reli- 
gion, as  co.itained  in  the  sacred  scriptures,  and  with  such 
a  view  thereof,  as  the  confession  of  faith  has  exhibited, 
which  is  hereunto  annexed,  fully  agreeing,  in  substance, 
with  the  confession  of  faith  owned  by  said  church,  time 
uut  of  mind,  heartily  resolving  to  conform  our  lives  unto 
the  rule  thereof,  that  holy  religion,  as  long  as  we  live  in 
;his  world. 

"  We  solemnly  renew  a  religrous  dedication  of  ourselves 
:o  the  Lord  Jehovah,  who  is  the  Father,  the  Son  and 
the  Holt  Spirit  ;  and  avouch  him  this  day  to  be  our  God, 
our  Father,  our  Saviour  and  Leader  ;  and  receive  him 
as  our  portion  forever. 

"  We  give  up  ourselves  anew  unto  the  blessed  JesOs,  who 
is  the  Lord  Jehovah,  and  adhere  to  him,  as  the  head  of 
his  people  in  the  covenant  of  grace,  and  rely  on  him  as* 
our  prophet,  priest  and  king,  to  bring  us  unto  eternal  bless- 
rJness. 

"  We  renewedly  acknowledge  our  everlasting  and  indis-* 
pensable  obligations  to  glorify  our  God,  in  all  the  duties 
of  a  godly,  sober  and  righteous  lifis  *,  and  very  particularly 
ill  the  duties  of  a  church  state,  as  a  body  ofpeopld^  asso- 
ciated for  an  obedience  to  Him,  in  all  ordinances  of  ther 
I  gospel ;  and  we  thereupon  depend  on  His  gracious  assist- 
ance for  our  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  thus  incumbent 
on  us. 

"We  desire  and  intend,  and  (with  dependance  on  His 
I  promised  and  powerful  grace)  We  engage  anew  to  walk  to- 
gether as  a  church  of  our  Lord  J^dus  Christ,  in  the  faith 
land  order  of  the  gos,  ~1,  so  far  as  we  shall  have  the  same 
revealed  unto  us,   conscientiously  attending  the   public    . 
worship  of  God,  the  sacraments  of  the  New  Testament, 
I  the  discipline  of  His  kingdom,  and  all  His  holy  institutinns 
in  common  with  one  another,  and  watchfully  avoiding  sin- 
ful stumbling  blocks  and  contentions,  as  becometh  a  peo- 
Iple,  whom  the  Lord  hath  bound  up  together  in  the  bundle 
lof  life.    At  the  same  time,  we  do  also  present  our  offspring 
pith  us  unto  the  Lord,  purposing,  with  His  help,  to  do  our    " 
Ipart  in  the  methods  of  religious  education,  that  they  may  be 
pe  Lord's. 
•'  AnJ  all  this  wc  do,  flying  to  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  ' 


344 


HISTORY  OF 


CiiAP.  XIV 


Book  II.  covenant  for  the  pardon  of  our  many  errors,  praying  that  thr 

\^'>''^^^  glorious  Lord  who  is  the  great  Shepherd,  would  j)re[)art  and 

i  742.    strengthen  us  for  every  good  work,  to  do  His  will,  workinj^ 

in  us  that  which  will  be  well  pleasing  to  Him,  to  whom  bt- 

glory  for  ever  and  ever,  Amen." 

Upon  these  solemn  transactions,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cooke,  in 
his  own  name,  and  in  the  name  of  the  ministei's  and  church- 
es composing  the  council,  owned  them  as  a  true  church  ol 
Christ,  and  declared  his  readiness,  on  the  desire  of  said 
church,  to  assist  them  as  such. 

This  council  advised  this  newly  formed  church  to  mak(; 
application  to  a  convention  of  ministers,  who  were  expect- 
ed to  meet  at  Weathersfield  the  next  week,  for  advice  to 
some  suitable  person,  to  be  improved  by  them  as  a  preach- 
er ;  and  for  their  further  improvement,  if  they  should  desiro 
it.  The  said  convention  advised  them  to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Wheelock  as  a  suitable  person  to  assist  them  in  their  min- 
isterial affairs. 

The  church  accepted  the  advice,  and  voted  to  make  ap- 
plication to  him,  that  (on  the  consent  of  his  church  and  con- 
gregation) he  would  make  them  a  visit,  and  employ  iijv 
miiiistrrial  labors  among  them  for  a  time,  and  with  some 
aspect  to  a  future  fixed  improvement  there,  if  providence 
should  open  the  way  for  it.  Upon  this  advice  and  apph- 
cation,  Mr.  Wheelock  made  them  a  visit  the  beginning  of 
June,  and  continued  with  them  about  a  month ;  and,  by  tho 
vote  of  the  church,  preached  to  them,  presided  in  their 
meetings,  examined  and  admitted  members  to  full  com- 
munion. But  as  he  was  peaceably  settled,  greatly  esteem- 
ed and  beloved  among  his  own  people,  it  did  not  appear 
,  to  be  his  duty  to  remove  from  them.  Such  additions  wcin 
made  to  the  church  that,  in  about  two  months  from  its  for- 
mation, the  number  of  members  amounted  to  between  sev- 
enty and  eighty  persons. 

The  church  invited  Mr.  Graham  and  Mr.  Bellamy  id  I 
preach  to  them  by  turns.     The  church  also  voted  that  all , 
orthodox  and  approved  ministers  and  candidates  shou.d  be 
invited  to  preach  with  them.      But  for  about  eight  or  nine 
years  the  church,  and  the  congregation  adhering  to  them. 
were   under  very  depressed  and  difficult  circumstance^.  I 
Mr.  Noyesand  his  church  and  congregation  were  oppose  1 
to  them.     This  was  the  case  with  the  president  and  corpo- 
ration of  the  college,  and  wiih  the  association  of  the  county  j 
of  New-Haven.     No  person,  whether  ordained  ministcrl 
or  candidate,  could  preach  to  them  without  incurring  theirj 
displeasure  and  frowns.      There  was  at  this  time  a  veryf 
genei-al  and  great  opposition  in  the  colony,  to  the  peop'' 


CnAr.  '. 

railed 

j»ropIr, 

and  exj 

minds  o 

whether 

whether 

due  pati 

lions  in 

in  cases 

for  them 

sudicicni 

cess.     F 

stated  pi 

for  many 

they  had 

1751.     ; 

Mr.  Bird 

province 

pastoral 

person  fc 

plication 

cordingly 

ing  with  1 

invitation 

with  th'^  I 

gave  then 

sent  diffic 

For  thi 

convened 

The 
mon  Ro 
uel  Hopk 

Upon 
cles  of  0 
to  him  a 
qucnt  pr( 
ferring  all 
great  pai[ 
Noyes  hi 
long  lime 
circumstc 
make  an^ 
tniscondi 
from  the 
brethren  i 
resolved  l 
Mr.  Noyl 


Chap.  XIV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


34  S 


ctween  sev- 


rallrd  new  lights,  a  name  generally  given  to  zealous  Book  IL 
j»eo[)le,  who  appeared  to  love  animated,  heart-searching  s^-v^ 
and  experimental  preachers.  There  were  doubts  in  the 
minds  of  many  as  to  the  regularity  of  their  proceedings ; 
ttbcther  they  nad  sufficient  cause  for  their  separation,  or 
whether  they  had  taken  all  proper  means,  and  waited  with 
due  patience  for  a  redress  of  their  grievances.  Separa- 
tions in  churches  were  dangerous,  and  very  sinful,  unless 
in  cases  of  real  necessity,  where  there  were  just  grounds 
for  them  ;  and  after  all  proper  means  had  been  taken,  and 
^ullicicnl  patience  exercised  to  obtain  redress  without  suc- 
cess. For  these  reasons  they  were  unable  to  obtain  any 
stated  preaching,  and  the  administration  of  the  ordinances 
for  many  years.  Sometimes  they  had  preaching;  at  others 
they  had  none.  This  was  their  condition  un'il  the  year 
1751.  At  this  time,  receiving  intelligence  that  the  Rev.  I7aj 
Mr.  Bird,  who  had  been  minister  at  Dunstable,  in  the 
province  of  Massachusetts,  had  been  dismissed  from  his 
pastoral  labors  at  that  place,  and  that  he  was  a  suitable 
person  for  a  people  in  their  circumstances,  they  made  ap- 
plication to  him,  requesting  his  labors  among  them.  Ac- 
cordingly he  made  them  a  visit  in  May,  and  after  preach- 
ing with  them  about  three  months,  received  an  unanimous 
invitation,  both  from  the  church  and  congregation,  to  settle 
with  th'  1  the  work  of  the  evangelical  ministry.  He 
gave  them  an  encouraging  answer,  provided  that  the  pre- 
sent difficulties  could  be  remced. 

For  this  purpose  a  council  was  chosen  and  called;   whoCouaril  at 
convened  at  New-Haven  in  Sept.  1 751 .  New-Ha- 

The  gentlemen  present  were  ♦       Rev.  Messrs.  Phile-  ^"'nlf ** 
men  Robbins,  Joseph  Bellamy,  x^icazer  Wheelock,  Sam-    ' 
ucl  Hopkins,  and  Benjamin  Pomeroy,  with  their  churches^ 

Upon  a  full  hearing  of  the  aggrieved  church,  of  the  arti-  Hearing 
cles  of  charge  or  grievance  exhibited  against  Mr.  Noyes,  tiJtns'ofthe 
to  him  and  the  greater  part  of  his  church,  and  of  the  fre-  council, 
qucnt  proposals  which  they  had  made  to  Mr.  Noyes,  of  re-  Sept.  3d, 
ferring  all  their  grievances  to  a  mutual  council,  and  of  the  ^"^^^^ 
great  pains  they  had  taken  to  obtain  one  ;  and  how  Mr. 
Noyes  had,  in  all  instances,  entirely  refused,  and  of  the 
long  time  they  had  been  in  their  aggrieved  and  unhappy 
circumstances,  and  also  of  their  declared  willingness  to 
make  any  reasonable  confession  of  whatever  mistakes  or 
misconduct  into  which  they  had  fallen,  in  their  separation 
from  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Noyes,  and  from  their 
brethren  of  the  ancient  church  of  New-Haven,  the  council 
resolved  to  this  effect ;  that  as  the  articles  of  charge  against 
Mr.  Noyes  were  made  known  to  him,  and  the  greatest 

T  2 


MmmM 


340 


inSTORV  OF 


.Cii^r.  XI v. 


I7i>l. 


Book  II.  pni  t  nf  ilir  fiisl  rhurch  in  Ntw-H;upn,  Iwforc  ihoy  voloH  ju 
ihfSiiyliniok  platform,  and  as  tho  aggrieved  brrlnrrn  wi-ri> 
not  allowefl  to  vote  in  that  case;  and  as  they  had  ahso- 
liitpjy  refused  all  Bubjfction  to  the  Saybro<»k  platform,  and 
as  the  reasons  of  their  separation,  mentioned  in  s;iirl 
charge,  yet  remained  unsctlred,  that  their  request  of  eouti- 
sel  and  advice,  was  reasonable.  They  also  professed  their 
ivillingness  fo  aflbrd  them  their  assistance.  But,  consider- 
ing!; the  great  importance  of  the  case,  especially  in  the  town 
of  New-Haven,  and  that  so  many  of  the  churches  applied 
to  were,  by  the  providence  of  God,  prevented  from  atiemf- 
ing  Uic  council,  it  was  their  opinion,  that  it  was  expedient 
fo  adjourn,  that  an  addition  might  be  made  to  the  council; 
and  the  church  were  advised  to  apply  to  a  number  of  suit- 
nblc  churches,  for  that  purpose.  The  council  then  ad- 
journed to  the  15th  day  oi'  October. 

In  the  mean  time,  probably  by  the  advice  of  council,  thf 
following  confession  was  exhibited  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Noycj, 
and  the  iirst  church  in  New-Haven. 

"  To  the  Rev.  Joseph  Noycs,  pastor  of  a  church  o! 
Christ  in  New-Haven.     To  be  communicated. 
"  Reverend  and  beloved, 

"  We  the  sii-bscribers,  who,  some  years  since,  withdrew 
from  the  public  preaching  of  the  word  and  ordinances  in 
said  (hurch,  for  reasons  wdiich  we  then  thought  to  be 
jiisl,  weighty,  and  reasonable, 'which  we  delivered  in  wri- 
ting to  said  pastor,  to  be  communicated  ;  and  which  causes 
we  ilo  still  fhirdc  to  be  just,  weighty,  and  reasonable.  As 
to  those  of  you  who  do  not  think  as  we  do,  we  would  en- 
deavour to  entertain  charitable  thoughts  of,  notwithstand- 
ing, and  desire  the  same  candour  from  you  j  remembering, 
that  tiie  great  God  alone  is  Lord  of  the  conscience  ;  and 
that  both  you  and  we  must  stand  or  fall  at  his  impartial 
tribunal.  Nevertheless,  considering  the  public  relation 
we  stood  in  with  you,  our  brethren,  we  should  have  ex- 
hibited to  the  pastor,  in  writing,  the  articles  of  our  griev- 
ances, to  be  published  to  you ;  and,  after  waiting  a  reason- 
able time,  he  neglecting liis  duty,  should  have  complained  to 
some  neighbouring  church  or  churches,  for  relief,  before- 
withdrawing  from  your  fellowship  and  communion ;  which 
conduct  would  have  been  our  duty :  neglect  whereof  wo 
readily  condemn  ;  together  with  aU  heat  and  bitterness  ot 
|ipii*it,  that  has,  at  anytime,  appeared  in  any  of  us  towards 
you,  oi'  any  of  you,  as  being  offensive  to  God,  and  unbe- 
coming to  christians :  for  which  we  ask  your  forgiveness ; 
begging  an  interest  in  the  prayers  of  all  God's  children. 
tliai  we  may  behave,  for  the  future,  as  becometh  the  gospel 


tiuii  hikI 
conri«hiop 
of  tlic  as;- 
grievcd. 


Chap.  XIV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


31T 


1751. 


rtf  Chrisi.     Upon  the  whole,  wc  think,  that,  afterwards,  P.ook  N. 
Hc  used  all  possible  rmlcavours  to  brinj^  maturt  to  a  pro-  v 
jior  issue;  but  not  surreeiling,  we  ihou2;ht  it  to  be  lor  thi; 
glory  of  (joti,  the  peace  of  our  own  soul.*,  and  for  our  cdi- 
lication,  to  be,  with  others,  a  distinct  society. 

"  We  conclude,  wishing  you  all  needed  blessings.'* 

On  the  15th  of  October,  the  council  convened,  at  New- 
Haven,  according  to  adjournment.  It  consisted  of  the  ci- 
ders following,  with  their  chui-ches. 

John  Graham,  Jedediah  Mills,  Philemon  Robbins,  Dan- 
iel Humphreys,  Ebenezer  White,  EleazerWheelock,  Benja- 
min Pomcroy,  Benajah  Case,  Joseph  Bellamy,  Samuel 
Hopkins,  James  Sprout,  Jonathan  Lee,  and  John  Searle. 

The  council  was  large  and  respectable.     Some  of  the 
'lurches  sent  two  messenger. 

When  the  council  had  chosen  the  Rev,  Mr.  Mills  their 
moderator,  and  opened  with  prayer,  they  immediately 
fvrote  a  letter  to  Mr.  Noyes,  acquainting  him  with  their 
convention,  and  that  if  hc  had  any  communication  to 
make,  they  were  ready  to  receive  it.  Messrs.  Bellamy  and 
Hopkins  were  appointed  to  wait  on  Mr,  Nqycs,  with  said 
letter.! 

October  16th,  the  council  proceeded  to  a  formal  hearing 
of  the  proceedings  and  state  of  the  congregational  church 
and  society ;  the  papers  containing  their  transactions  were 
laid  before  them ;  and  the  committee  were  fully  heard  re- 
lative to  them.  At  the  same  time,  the  General  Assembly 
held  their  session  in  New-Iiaven,  and  the  governor  and 
council  judged  the  &ffaic  of  such  importance  to  the  town  of 
New-Haven,  and  to  the  colony,  that  it  ought  to  be  heard 
by  a  mutual  council.  While,  therefore,  the  council  were 
employed  in  hearing,  they  received  a  copy  of  a  vote  of 
the  General  Assembly,  advising  that  the  affair  before  them 
should  be  heard  by  a  mutual  council. 

In  consequence  of  this  advice,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Mill.<;, 
Wheelock,  and  Bellamy,  with  several  of  the  messengers, 
were  chosen  a  committee  to  wait  on  their  honours,  the 
governor,  deputy  governor,  and  council,  and  to  represent 
how  repeated  proposals  of  that  iiature  had  been  made  to 
Mr.  Noyes,  and  what  great  pains  had  been  taken,  for  a 
number  of  years,  to  obtain  a  hearing  before  a  mutual  coun- 
cil, and  how  Mr.  Noyes,  in  all  instances,  had  refused. 
They  made  a  full  representation  of  the  facts.  The  gov- 
ernor and  council,  never.'"oless,  advised  that  one  offer 
more  should  be  made  him,  and  that  one  would  be  sufficient. 

The  council  then  voted,  that  the  same  committee,  with 
the  addition  of  Mr,  Graham,  should  confer  with  Mr.  Noye.s-, 


m 

'I 

m 


^48 


HISTORY  OF 


CUKT.  XIV. 


Book  II.  to  knowwhrtlirr  Iio  would  roniply  with  llir  advice  of  tho 
v^'^'^^  hoiiourabjp  CJcuoraJ  AssrniMy,  or  not.  The  committrr 
1761.  reported,  that  Mr.  Noyp»  said,  h«'  had  a  crcat  rcj^nl  lo 
Ihf  fifth  commandmpnt,  hut  he  did  not  ihinlt  ihc  aHHcmMy 
for  what  they  had  done.  That  ho  looked  upon  ihern  ai 
infallible  a»  the  pope,  lie  said  such  a  council  was  incon- 
sistent with  the  constitution  and  the  light  of  nature;  amj, 
directing  himse^f  to  one  of  the  committee,  said,  What  If 
you  and  I  had  a  controversy,  and  you  should  choose  three 
Tnen,  and  I  should  choose  three,  and  ihey  should  strip  and 
fight  it  out,  what  goo<l  woiild  that  do  us  ?  He  liked  gov- 
ernment, he  said,  but  he  did  not  like  arbitration.  What 
ground,  said  he,  do  you  find  in  scripture  for  it  ? 

The  committee  reported  it  as  their  opinion,  that  Mr. 
Noyes  would  not  comply  with  the  advice  of  the  assembly, 
iindf  that  he  had  given  suflicient  intimations  of  it.  The 
next  morning,  however,  while  the.  council  were  hearing  the 
report  of  their  committee,  a  letter  was  received  from  Mr. 
Noyes,  purporting,  that  he  would  call  his  church  together, 
anu  consult  the  matter  advised  to  by  the  General  Assem- 
h\y ;  and  that  he  would  discourse  with  the  committee  of 
the  parish,  and  prosecute  the  affair  as  fast  as  Providence 
would  allow. 

As  it  was  judged  that  this  letter  gave  no  certain  evi. 
dence  that  Mr.  Noyes  would  comply  with  the  advice  of  the 
assembly,  the  committee  of  the  church  and  society,  in 
company  with  two  members  of  the  council,  Mr.  Bellamy 
and  Mr.  Lee,  waited  on  him,  with  the  following  letter. 
"-To  the  Rev.  Joseph  Noyes,  of  New-Haven. 
"  Reverend  Sir, 
"  We  the  subscribers,  a  committee  of  those  who  have 
taken  benefit  by  the  act  of  toleration,  and  their  adherents, 
having  had  a  sight  of  your  letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mills,  of 
this  17th  of  October,  wherein  you  give  general  hints  of  a 
compliance  with  the  advice  of  the  honourable  assembly  to 
a  mutual  council,  &c. ;  but  observing  you  do  not  expressly 
declare  your  own  compliance,  nor  propose  immediately  lo 
call  your  church  together,  |  nor  fix  any  time  for  that  pur- 
pose, we  cannot  receive  it  as  a  proper  compliance  with 
said  advice ;  and  considering  what  fair  prospects  of  this 
nature,  in  times  past,  have  been  frustrated,  and  a  large 
ecclesiastical  council  is  waiting  for  your  answer,  out  of 
whose  hands  we  are  utterly  unwilling  to  take  the  affair,  un- 
til we  see,  at  least,  a  proper  security  that  said  advice  shall 
take  effect,  and  the  members  of  said  mutual  council  be 
agreed  upon,  and  the  time  and  place  of  their  convention 
fixed.    As  we,  therefore,  and  our  party,  fully  comply  wiih 


CnKT.  XIV. 


rONNFXTICUT. 


.il'j 


Tidatlvirc,  wc  dosirc  voii  would,  without  tlrlay,  rail  your  Rook  II. 
tnurrh  together,  for  said  purpose.     Short  of  this,  wr  ran-  s^-x^'^i/ 
•irtt  look   upon  as  a  romplianre.     Kxpcctiiig  an  express    ns\, 
umI  plain  answer,  we  subscribe,''  iic, 

"October  1 7th,  IT.-il." 

To  this  Mr.  Noyes  replied, 
•Gentlemen, 


I  have  read  your  paper  of  this  day ;  and  in  answer,  say, 

bly,  is  to  the  so«:iely 
I  hurch  in  this  place,  whose  minds  I  do  not  know.     So  far 


■    1I..»»     .vtiv.      TVfui     i^i.j/...     y,,     iiiia    .III,     ,      Ull.l     III      Uil.-IT,<    i,     .-71. J, 

the  advice  of  the  honorable  assembly,  is  to  the  so«:itiy  and 


as  it  concerns  me,  1  propose  to  prosecute  it,  and  to  lay  it 
before  my  church  as  soon  as  providence  will  allow  me,  and 
confer  with  the  society's  committee  on  the  affair. 

Gentlemen,  I  am,  &c.  Joseph  Noves." 

With  the  letter  above,  was  brought  the  following  testi. 
mony  into  the  council,  attested  by  Mr.  Bellamy,  Mr.  Lee 
and  the  committee,  amounting  to  the  number  of  seven  pe**- 
^ons. 

"  We  the  subscribers,  desired  Mr.  Noyes  expressly  to 
>ay  for  himself,  whether  he  would,  on  his  part,  comply  with 
ihe  advice  of  the  honorable  assembly,  and  expressly  prom- 
ise to  lay  it  before  his  church,  because  the  above  answer 
seemed  to  leave  that  matter  in  doubt,  and  we  wanted  a 
fcrtain  information.  We  put  the  question  to  him  near  ten 
times,  will  you  comply  or  not '!  He  used  several  evasions, 
-and  fmally  declared,  I  will  not  say  that  i  will  comply  :  and 
he  refused  to  promise  to  lay  it  before  the  church." 

On  this  testimony,  the  council  unanimously  voted,  that 
Mr.  Noyes'  answers,  comparing  his  letters  and  conversa- 
tion with  the  committee,  were  evasive. 

The  next  day,  October  18th,  the  council,  after  a  long 
ronference,  considering  how  long  ajid  how  often  they  had 
attempted  to  obtain  a  direct  answer  from  Mr.  Noyes,  and 
could  obtain  none,  voted  to  proceed  to  the  busmess  for 
which  they  had  been  more  immediately  called, 

They  also  voted,  that  according  to  the  best  light  they 
could  obtain,  the  first  church  in  New-Haven  was  a  con- 
gregational church  until  Mr.  Noyes,  in  1742,  led  a  great 
part  of  it  to  vote  in  Saybrook  platform.  They  also  voted, 
that  according  to  what  light  they  had  obtainecf,  the  confes- 
sion made  to  Mr.  Noyes  and  his  church  was  satisfactory. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Bird  then  presented  himself  for  examina- 
tion, and  having  given  full  satisfaction,  as  to  his  princi- 
ples and  ministerial  qualifications,  was  installed,  Octo- 
ber 18th,  1751. 

Just  as  the  council  were  going  to  the  installation  of  Mr. 
Bird,  the  following  letter  was  presented  by  the  Rev.  Mr, 
Noyes. 


Vjt 


HISTORY  or 


CiiAf.  XIV.    ■  Cn\r.  XV 


l^ooK  II.  Ti»  the  Rrv.  Mr.  Mm."*,  Li , 
vx'v''^  (Miitii-mfn, 
I7.')l.  IVrtriviiij^  th;U  uli;i(  I  liavr  wroio  is  not  ii;;liily  nrujcr- 
siotxl,  I  a^aiti  s;iy,  I  Iiiivr>  no  inriUal  resiTvcA.  I  loo)^ 
upon  il  niy  duly  to  prosprutc  tlir  aiivice  of  thr  ho/iorWilo 
assembly.  Shall  do  it  to  rny  ulnio!>t:  pro|ios(' to  call  ,i 
(hurch  mcf'tiii^  the  beginning  (»!'  the  week.  I  have  Hotit 
lor  the  society's  committee  to  speak  with  th«'ni  this  v\r. 
iiing.  Let  there  be  im  misunderstanding.  In  ^reat  ha^ii , 
J  am,  j^entlemen,  yours,  Aic.  Joseph  Noves. 

V,  S.  1  hope  you  will  do  nothing  to  defeat  the  advirr. 

J.  N. 

The  council  determined,  that  this  letter  was  unseasoiu- 
l)le,  and  proceeded  to  the  installation.  They  adviscl 
however,  that  the  aggrieved  church,  though  Mr.  Noye, 
had  for  so  many  years  refused  to  comply  with  their  requc^r 
for  a  mutual  council,  and  had  treated  the  advice  of  thr 
honorable  assembly  no  better,  yet  that  they  should  alwav« 
stand  ready  to  join  Mr.  Noycs  and  his  church  in  calling  a 
mutual  council. 

Soon  after  the  installation  of  Mr.  Bird,  Mr.  NoycN' 
church  appointed  a  committee  to  prosecute  the  ailairofu 
mutual  council ;  and  in  consequence  of  it,  a  committee  wa< 
appointed  by  Mr.  Bird's  people.  The  committees  moi 
and  agreed  on  the  nuti  lor  a  council,  but  they  could  nui 
agree  on  the  articles  which  should  be  laid  before  thciu. 
So  nothing  further  was  ever  acted  in  the  aHair. 

Mr.  Bird  was  a  popular  man,  made  a  manly  appear- 
ance, spoke  well,  and  had  a  very  great  talent,  especially  in 
speaking  at  the  grave,  on  funeral  occasions.  The  society 
had  neace  and  nourished  under  his  administration.  In  the 
session  of  the  assembly,  at  New-Haven,  October,  1759, 
it  was  made  a  distinct  ecclesiastical  society,  by  thenatnr 
of  AVhite-Haven,  seventeen  years  from  the  separation  from 
Mr.  Noycs,  and  eight  from  the  installation  of  Mr.  Bird. 


I ' 


r.^r.  XIV.   ■  <*"*'"•  ^^' 


fONNKilTICtT. 


161 
Book  II. 


CIIArrKR  XV . 

p,niih7rarin]75b.  Rrnxonx  nfil,  Cnlortfl  lFa!^hinf;lon\i 
rxpfflilinn*  Cnnvmtion  at  .'Hhantf,  Ki/u'ditinn.*  nirain:<t 
.Sova-Scntin,  fort  fin  Qufxnf,  Cnrtrn  Point  and  Kitif^nrii, 
Kifrliont  of  thf  Knrthem  colonim,  fnpmnUtf  of  Connrr' 
tiriil.  Surcfgx  in  J^ova-Scolia,  Ihfrat  of  gtntrnl  lirnd- 
flock.  General  Johnson  dfftat*  baron  Oieskau  and  takn 
hiin  prisoner, 

SVCU  was  the  restless  spirit,  intrigue  and  fl»  f^  t  of  the 
French  court  and  nation,  that  ilio  colonios  had  but 
horl  inlervals  of  peace,  while  their  threat  enemy  had  any 
«(ltl('ment.s  in  this  country,  "sven  in  ihenc  in  crvals,  how 
fjir  soever  they  snake,  they  were  constai'lly  cnrroachiu); 
gii  their  Icrritonc.H,  giving  new  occasionn,  and  making 
jirrparations  for  war.  Though  the  whole  country  of  Aca- 
i|i;i,  or  Nova-Scotia,  had  been  cxpres.uy  ceder  ;o  Great- rrenih 
Britain,  by  the  twelfth  article  of  the  treaty  of  Ul  cht,  and '"'^'^'"■'^' 
that  cession  had  been  confirmed  by  all  sub8C(^!ie.it  treaties, 
yet  the  French  renewed  their  claim  t  'x  considera})le  ';  rt 
of  that  country,  and  in  several  places  w<!C  erecting  forufi- 
rations  and  placing  garrisons.  VVhiie  the  colonists  were 
Mgorously  pursuing  the  arts  of  peace,  and  exerting  ihcm- 
jolves,  by  industry,  economy  and  the  extension  of  their 
ff'ttlements,  to  recover  themselves  from  the  losses  and  im- 
poverishment which  they  had  sustained  in  the  former  war, 
liio  French  were  encroaching  no  less  on  their  northern  and 
western,  than  on  their,  eastern  frontiers.  They  were  at- 
tempting to  compass  them  with  a  line  of  posts  and  fortifica- 
lions,  in  such  a  manner,  as  would  enable  them,  with  their 
Indian  allies,  to  harass  and  alarm  the  country,  on  their 
frontiers,  for  an  extent  of  a  thousand  miles  or  more.  At 
the  same  time,  it  woula  v^:.- xblish  an  easy  and  constant 
communication  between  li^eir  settlements  in  Canada,  and 
on  the  Mississippi,  and  command  the  trade  of  all  the  wes- 
tern Indians.  At  the  northward,  they  had  encroached  far  ^-j^ 
nil  the  English,  by  their  settlements  and  fortifications  at 
Crown  Point,  ana  they  were  advancing  to  Ticonderoga. 
At  the  westward,  they  were  not  only  attempting  to  com-- 
plele  a  line  of  forts  from  the  head  of  the  St.  Lawrence  to 
the  Mississippi,  but  were  encroaching  far  on  Virginia. 

While  under  the  auspices  of  peace,  agriculture  and  com-  Rm'nnH  of 
merce  flourished  in  the  colonies,  the  Indian   trade  drew  *'"'  ^^• 
tony  of  the  wandering  traders,  fronv  Virginia,  far  into  thf; 


I) 


I 


I 


t-   .    Ml 


^  lit 


I,'!* 


m 


Umm 


.•»5i 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XV. 


r-  (■ 


Book  II*  iiilari'J  <  oiintrv  boyond  the  great  mount.Tin^.  Here  thrv 
*"^'^'^^*'  foutid  ihemsolves  in  a  very  pleasing  climate,  fruitful,  and 
1751,  watered  with  many  navigable  rivers.  It  was  conceived 
tliiit  these  advantages,  in  conjunction  with  the  Indian  trade, 
would  amply  compensate  for  its  distance  from  the  sea.  .  A 
settlement  was  therefore  immediately  contemplated  on  ihf 
Ohio.  A  number  of  noblemen,  merchants  and  planters,  oi 
Westminster,  London  and  Virginia,  named  the  Ohio  com- 
pany, obtained  a  charter  grant  of  six  hundred  thousand 
acres,  on  and  near  the  Ohio  river.  In  pursuance  of  the 
terms  if  their  patent,  the  lands  were  surveyed,  about  two 
years  after  the  grant,  and  settlements  were  soon  made. 

The  governor  of  Canada  had  early  intelligence  of  the 
transactions  of  the  company,  and  was  alarmed  with  the  ap- 
prehension, that  they  were  prosecuting  a  plan,  which 
would  effectually  deprive  the  French  of  the  advantages 
Avhich  they  derived  from  their  trade  with  the  Twighivvecs. 
uiid,  what  was  much  worse,  would  cut  off  the  conimunica- 
tion  between  Canada  and  Louisiana.  The  French  claim- 
ed all  the  country  from  the  Mississippi,  as  far  in  upon  Vir- 
gina,  as  the  Alleghany  mountains.  This  claim  was  found- 
ed on  the  pretence,  that  they  were  the  first  discoverers  o! 
the  river.  To  secure  their  claims  and  preserve  the  commu- 
nication between  their  two  colonies,  Canada  and  Louisiu- 1 
Ilia,  they  had  not  only  erected  gi  fort  on  *he  south  side  oi  | 
lake  Eric,  but  one  about  fifteen  miles  south  of  that,  on  a 
branch  of  the  Ohio ;  and  another  at  the  conflux  of  the  Ohio 
and  the  Wabash.  Nothing  could  be  more  directly  calcu- 
lated to  dash  the  favorite  plan  of  France  than  the  settlement 
of  the  Ohio  company. 

The  governor  of  Canada  therefore  wrote  to  the  govern- 
ors  of  New- York   and   Pennsylvania,  complaining,  that 
the   English  tr«  'ers  had  encroached  on   the  French,  by  I 
trading  with  the  Indians,  and  threatening,  if  they  should 
not  desist,  that  he  would  seize  them  wherever  they  should  | 
be  found. 

The  Indian  trade  had  been  managed  principally  by  the  | 
I'ennsylvanians  ;  but  the  Ohio  company  were  now  about 
to  divert  it  to  a  different  channel..  They  contemplated 
the  opening  of  a  road  to  V.'ill's  creek,  and  the  conductin;; 
of  it,  by  the  Potomac,  directly  to  Virginia-  The  Pcnn- 
sylvanians,  under  the  influence  of  selfishness,  gave  inl'oi- 
Illation,  from  time  to  time,  both  to  the  French  and  Indians, 
of  the  transactions  and  designs  of  the  Ohio  company.  The  | 
governor  of  Canada,  therefore,  put  his  menaces  into  exe- 
cution. The  French  and  Indians  seized  the  British  trad- 
ers among  the  Twightwees,  and  carried  them  to  their  fui 


Chai'.  XV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


353 


on  ilie  south  side  of  lake  Erie.  The  Twightwees  resent- 
ing the  injury  done  to  the  British  traders,  who  were  their 
alfics,  made  reprisals  on  the  French,  and  sent  several  of 
their  traders  to  Pennsylvania.  The  French  nevertheless 
continued  their  claims,  and  strengthened  their  fortifica* 
tions. 

The  Indians,  at  the  same  time,  jealous  that  settlements 
were  about  to  he  made  on  their  lands  without  purchase, 
and  without  their  consent,  threatened  the  settlers.  These 
claims  and  threatenings  of  the  French  and  Indians,  struck 
at  the  very  existence  of  the  Ohio  company.  Complaints 
therefore  were  made  to  lieutenant  governor  Dinwiddie,  of 
Virginia,  and  the  province  began  to  interest  itself  warmly 
in  the  affair.  The  Indians  were  in  some  measure  satisfied, 
by  a  pretended  message  from  the  king.  Major  Washing- 
ton was  dispatched  to  M.  St.  Pierre,  commandant  on  the 
Ohio,  to  demand  the  reasons  of  his  hostile  conduct,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  insist  oh  the  withdrawal  of  his  troops.  A 
party  of  Virginians  were  also  sent  forward  to  erect  a  fort 
at  the  confluence  of  the  Ohio  and  Monongahela. 

The  French  commander  denied  the  charge  of  hostility, 
and,  so  far  from  withdrawing  his  troops,  he  made  an  abso- 
lute claim  of  the  countiy,  as  the  property  of  the  French 
king,  and  declared  that,  agreeable  to  his  instructions,  he 
would  seize  and  send  prisoner  to  Canada,  every  English- 
man who  should  attempt  to  trade  on  the  Ohio,  or  any  of 
its  branches. 

Before  the  Virginians  had  completed  their  designed  for- 
tifications on  the  Ohio,  the  French  came  upon  them,  from 
Vinango,  in  great  force.  They  had  an  army  of  a  thous- 
and men,  and  eighteen  pieces  of  cannon,  and  drove  them 
from  the  country.  They  then  erected  a  regular  fort  on 
the  very  ground  where  the  Virginians  had  oegun  their 
fortifications.  They  gave  it  the  name  of  Fort  du  Quesne. 
In  these  ravages,  the  French  destroyed  all  the  English  tra- 
ders but  two,  and  plundered  them  of  skins  and  other  prop- 
erty to  the  amount  of  twenty  thousand  pounds.*  This  for- 
tress very  much  commanded  the  entrance  of  the  whole 
country  on  the  Ohio  and  the  Mississippi.  These  measures 
gave  a  general  alarm  to  the  colonies,  and  also  to  Great- 
Britain. 

It  was  easily  foreseen,  that  if  the  French  should  unite 
Canada  with  their  settlements  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississip- 
pi, by  possession  of  that  vast  country  which  lieii  between 
them,  that  the  colonies  would  npt  only  sustain  the  loss  of  a 
great  part  of  their  country,  and  all  share  in  the  Indian 
•RidefsHut.  to),  xl.p.  71. 

U  2 


11 

m 

fW^- 

f  ■'■* 

Kiniflii' 

?-*v.     . 

nlllKu. 

,|     e-  ^s 

'V^'Wl 

Pi-i" 

Hi 

u 

H 

The  Vir- 
giniant 
driTen 
from  the 
Ohio. 


Mer- 
chants 
kilJed  aoA 
pluDd«r- 
ed. 


:J* 


•;«* 


'■wr-i 


SJ4 
Book  II. 

1754. 


iJISTORy  OF 


Chap.  XV. 


Colonfll 
\Va^hint;- 
lon'c  ex- 
feditioQ. 


May  28, 
dcreats 
Juinon- 
vil)e. 


Is  after- 
wards 
overpow- 
ered and 
capitu- 
lates. 

Rccom- 
ineadatioD 
from  the 
Lords  of 
trade  and 
planta- 
tiou. 


Irade ;  but  that,  in  time  of  war,  their  frontiers  must,  to  a 
very  great  extent,  be  exposed  to  continual  alarm  and  dan. 
ger.  The  defence  of  such  a  frontier,  of  more  than  a  thous- 
and miles,  would  be  in  a  great  degree  impracticable,  as 
well  as  ruinously  expensive.  On  the  contrary,  could  the 
designs  of  France  on  Nova-Scotia  and  the  Ohio  be  defeat- 
ed, It  would  entirely  disunite  their  colonies,  and  a^  the  en- 
trance into  the  one  is,  in  the  winter  season,  shut  up  bv 
frost,  and  the  entrance  into  the  other  is  difficult,  it  would 
make  them  of  much  less  value.  It  was  also  foreseen  that 
the  fortune  of  these  colonics  would  immediately  and  very 
greatly  affect  the  West-lndres.  As  both  nations  had  a  clear 
comprehension  of  these  points,  they  were  equally  deter- 
mined to  maintain  their  rc»pective  claims^ 

The  British  ministry  were  no  sooner  apprised  of  those 
claims  and  outrages  of  the  French,  than  they  instructed  the 
Virginia[i»,  by  force  of  arnls,  to  resist  their  encroachments. 
Orders  were  given  also  that  several  independent  compa- 
nies, in  America^  should  assist  the  Virginians.  Major 
Washinglon  was  advanced  to  the  rank  of  colonel,  and  ap- 
pointed  to  command  the  troops,  from  Virginia,  (destined  to 
remove  the  encroachments  of  the  French  on  the  Ohio.  On 
the  nrst  notice,  captain  James  Mackay  marched  with  his 
independent  company,  from  South-Carolina,  to  the  assist- 
ance of  the  Virginians.  Two  companies  were  orderetl 
from  New- York  on  the  same  service.  Colonel  Washing, 
ton,  without  waiting  for  the  companies  from  New- York, 
determined  to  advance  With  the  Virginians  and  Mackay's 
company,  consisting  of  about  four  hundred  men.  In  May, 
he  fell  in  with  a  party  from  fort  du  Quesne,  under  tho 
command  of  one  Jamonville,  whom  he  totally  defeated. 
DcVillier,  who  commanded  at  fort  du  Quesne,  incensed 
at  this  defeat,  inarched  against  him  with  a  body  of  nine 
hundred  n^en,  besides  Indians.  The  colonel  had  thrown 
up  some  imperfect  works,  which  were,  with  propriety, 
termed  fort  Necessity  ;  hoping  to  defend  himself  in  his  post, 
till  he  should  be  reinforced  by  the  companies  expected  front 
New- York.  In  these  works  he  made  s»*  brave  and  obsti- 
nate a  defence,  that  De  Villier,  finding  he  had  desperate 
men  to  combat,  offered  him  an  honorable  capitulation. 
This  he  accepted,  and  retreated  with  his  party  to  Virginia. 

The  same  year,  instructions  had  been  sent  from  the  Lord> 
of  trade  and  plantations,  recommfending  a  meeting  of  com- 
missioners from  the  several  colonies,  to  concert  a  plan  o( 
union  and  defence  against  the  common  enemy  :  and  in  his 
majesty's  name  to  effect  a  league  of  friendship  between  the 
colonics  and  the  Indiana  bordermg  upon  tbem.    The  colo- 


HAP.  XV, 


CONNECTICUT. 


353 


i,ics,  gpnorally,  manifrstrda  chcrrful  compliance  with  the  Book  II. 
ri'commcndation.     liut  as,  in  former  wars,  some  colonies  v^'^^'Vi^ 
hari  done  much,  and  others  scarcely  anything,  to  the  great    176 ». 
injury  of  the  common  cause,  it  was  now  earnestly  wi&hcd, 
(hat  each  colony  might  be  obliged  to  do  its  equal  pro|)or- 
tion.     It  was  also  desired,  that  the  five  nations  of  Indians, 
who  had  been  under  particular  governors  or  provinces, 
and  had,  too  often,  been  influenced  to  measures  subservi- 
ent to  individuals,  or  to  particular  colonies,  rather  than  to 
such  as  were  beneficial  to  the  general  interest,  might  be 
under  some  general  direction,  and  contribute  to  the  safety 
and  welfare  of  the  colonies  collectively. 

The  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  presented  their 
<icsirps  to  governor  Shirley,  that  he  would  ''  pray  his  ma-  April  lO. 
jpsty,  that  the  aflairs  relative  to  the  six  nations,  and  their 
allies,  might  be  put  under  such  general  direction,  as  his 
majesty  should  judge  proper:  that  the  several  govern- 
ments may  be  obliged  to  bear  their  proportion  of  defend- 
ing his  majesty's  territories  against  the  encroachments  of 
the  French,  and  the  ravages  and  incursions  of  the  Indians/' 

Agreeably  to  the  recommendation  of  the  lords  of  trade 
and  plantations,  a  convention,  i(i  the  summer,  of  the  gov- 
ernors and  principal  gentlemen  of  the  several  colonies, 
met  at  Albany.     The  commissioners  from  Connecticut, 
were  the  honourable  William  Pitkin,  Roger  Wolcott,  and 
Elisha  Williams,  Esq'rs,     It  was  the  ^unanimous  opinion, 
that  an  union  of  the  colonies  was  absolutely  necessary  for 
the  common  defence.     The  convention   proposed  this 
plan  : — "  That  a  grand  council  should  be  formed,  of  mem  Plan  of  un- 
bers  chosen  by  the  assemblies,  and  sent  from  all  the  colo- '°"  ^°^ 
nies ;  which  council,  with  a  governor  general,  to  be  ap-  "nven- 
pointed  by  the  crown,  should  be  empowered  to  make  gen-  tion,  June 
eral  laws,  to  raise  money,  in  all  the  colonies,  for  the  de-  ^^tb. 
fence  of  the  whole."*     It  was  the  general  opinion,  that, 
could  such  an   establishment  be   effected,   ihe   colonies 
would  be  competent  to  their  own  defence,  against  the  com- 
bined force  of  the  French  and  Indians.    Some  of  the  colo- 
nies, in  former  wars,  had  defended  themselves  against 
them,  unassisted  by  Oreat-^Britain,  or  their  sister  colonies. 
Their  united  force,  therefore,  they  judged  would  certainly 
be  sufficient. 

The  commissioners  from  Connecticut  were  wholly  op-  Oppoi^ed 
posed  to  the  plan.     They  imagined  that  it,  was  dangerous  by  the 
to  the  liberties  of  the  colonies,  and  that  such  a  government  g^n™**' 
would  not  act  with  that  dispatch  and  energy  which  might  from  Con- 
be  reasonably  expected  by  his  majesty.     It  was  also  ima-  necticut. 
♦  See  the  articlei  vt  »gr??ineiit,  ia  t^e  App«BdU,  No.  I. 


3&6 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XV.   I  Ch*p.  XV. 


tioa 


Book  II.  gined,  that  it  might  bring  a  heavier  debt  on  the  colo- 
s^-v-^  nics. 

1754t        When  the  commissioners  reported  the  plan  to  the  Genp- 
Rc^cted    ral  Assembly  in  October,  at  New-Haven,  it  was  opposed, 
^y  '*!?  "•  and  totally  rejected,  by  the  legislature.     They  resolvod, 
Oct  loth.  "  '^^^^  '^  '*  ^^^  opinion  of  this  assembly,  and  u  is  hereby 
Reaionx  of  declared  to  be  the  opinion  thereof,  that  the  limits  of  the 
its  rejec-    proposed  plan  of  union,  are  of  lOo  large  extent  to  be,  in  any 
good  manner,  administered,  considered,  conducted,  and 
defended,  by  a  president  general  and  council ;  and  that 
a  defensive  war,  managed  by  such  a  government,  having 
so  large  a  frontier,  will  prove  ruinous  to  it.     That  the 
same,  in  course  of  time,  may  be  dangerous  and  hurtful  to 
his  maiesty's  interest,  and  tend  to  subvert  the  liberties 
and  privileges,  and  to  discourage  the  industry  of  his  ma- 
jesty's good  subjects,  inhabiting  these  colonies:  and,  there- 
fore, that  no  application  be  made,  in  behalf  of  this  colony, 
to  the  parliament  of  Great-Britain,  for  an  act  to  form  any 
such  government,  on  the  said  proposed  plan,  as  is  therein 
expressed ;  and  that  reasons  be  offered  against  any  such 
motion." 
Measures       "  Resolved  by  this  assembly,  That  his  honour  the  gov- 
adopted  to  ernor  be  desired,  and  he  is  hereby  desired,  to  send  the 
tak^"'*  f*'  ^S^"^  of  this  cciony  at  the  court  of  Great-Britain,  the  reso- 
fect?*^  °  *  lution  of  this  assembly  concerning  the  plan  of  union  pro- 
posed by  the  several  colonies,  who  met  at  Albany,  on  the 
14th  of  June  last,  to  concert  proper  measures  for  the  gene- 
ral defence  and  safety  of  his  majesty's  subjects  in  said  gov- 
ernments ;  and  that  he,  likewise,  send  said  agent  the  rea- 
sons considered  and  offered  by  this  assembly,  concerning 
the  said  plan  of  proposed  union  of  the  colonies  of  M assa- 
^     chusetts  Bay,  New-Hampshire,  Connecticut,  Rhode-Island, 
New- York,    New-Jersey,  Pennsylvania,   Maryland,  Vir- 
ginia, North-Carolina,  and  South-Carolina,  for  their  mu- 
tual defence,  &c.     And,  also,  to  send  the  representation  of 
the  state  of  the  colonies  of  North-America,  in  relation  to 
the  French ;  to  be  used  and  improved  by  the  said  agent, 
^  upon  any  consideration  that  may  be  had  on  said  plan  :/And 

that  the  agent  aforesaid,  be  directed,  that,  in  case  any  of 
the  other  colonies  aforesaid,  shall  make  humble  application 
for  an  act  of  the  parliament  of  Great-Britain,  by  virtue  of 
which  one  general  government  may  be  formed  in  America, 
including  the  said  cplonies,  to  be  administered,  in  manner 
and  form,  as  is  proposed  in  said  r>|an,  he  move  the  parlia- 
ment to  bQ  heard  by  learned  council  thereon,  in  behalf  of 
this  colony :  And  that  the  reasons  aforementioned,  with  any 
other  arguments  that  may  appear  just  and  reasonable  in 


Chap.  XV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


357 


ihc  case,  be  insisted  on,  and  in  the  most  advantaf^eeus  Book  II. 
.nanncr  ureed,  to  prevent  any  such  act  'icing  made  or  ^-^^-'^^rf 
passed  in  the  parliament  of  Great-Britain."*  1754. 

The  assembly  further  resolved.  That  the  governor  should 
watch  all  the  steps  which  the  other  governments  should 
take,  relative  to  the  said  plan :  That  he  should  prepare 
whatever  might  be  necessary  for  its  prevention  :  That  he 
«hould  urge  any  further  reasons  against  it,  which  his  own 
mind  might  suggest:  That  he  would  suggest  alterations  in 
various  parts ;  particularly,  that  the  government  should  be  [,  , 

lessened,  and  divided  into  two  districts  :  that  the  propor- 
tions allotted  to  each  colony  were  unjust:  and  that  he 
would  show  in  what  respects  the  liberties  of  the  people 
would  be  infringed :  that  he  would  prepare  the  evidence  of 
the  facts,  and  send  them  to  the  agent,  with  whatever  else 
might  be  necessary  on  the  subject. 

The  colony  was  greatly  alarmed  by  this  general  plan  of 
government,  and  spared  no  pains  to  ward  off  the  evils 
which  they  feared ;  but  their  exertions  were  unnecessary, 
and  their  fears  soon  subsided.  The  plan  was  as  far  from 
meeting  the  approbation  of  the  British  ministry,  as  that  of 
the  legislature  and  people  of  Connecticut,  though  for  rea- 
sons very  dissimilar.  They  were  too  cautious  to  trust 
such  powers  with  the  Americans. 

They  had  formed  a  very  different  plan.  It  was,  that 
the  governors!  of  the  colonies,  with  one  or  more  of  their 
councils,  should  form  a  convention,  to  concert  measures  for 
the  general  defence,  erect  forts,  and  raise  such  numbers  of 
men  as  they  should  judge  necessary ;  and  that  they  should 
(iraw  on  the  British  treasury,  for  such  sums  as  should  be 
reqvisite  to  reimburse  their  eTnenses.  The  colonies,  at 
the  same  time,  were  to  be  taxed  by  parliament,  to  pay  the 
whole.  This  was  a  subtile  contrivance,  to  provide  for  fa- 
vourites, sap  the  liberties,  and  engross  the  wealth  of  the 
colonies,  and  fix  them  down  in  perpetual  poverty  and 
slavery.  But  the  colonies  too  well  knew  the  imj.Tudence 
and  rapacity  of  kingly  governors ;  their  embezzlement  of 
public  monies ;  their  ignorance  of  the  ti'ue  state  of  the 
country ;  and  their  want  of  affection  for  the  people ;  and 
how  many  ot  them  came  to  America  to  make  their  for- 
tunes ;  tamely  to  commit  their  liberty,  property,  and  safe- 
ty to  their  management.  They  were  as  far  from  resigning 
their  property  into  the  hands  of  the  parliament,  as  the  par- 
liament were  from  trusting  too  much  power  in  the  hanas  of 
the  Americans.  In  the  colonies,  the  plan  received  no 
countenance,  but  met  their  universal  disapprobation. 
'-  '         *  Records  of  the  colony,  October  teujoD^  1754.     ' 


!    1   J 


"!  1 


368 


illSTOKY  OK 


*"Ai-.  XN.    I  ^»»*'-^'^ 


Gpnc:.\l 
DraddocV 
embark'. 
<br  Amt  ri 
ca,  Jan. 
1735. 


Book  II.  On  tl»<*  reception  of  the  news  of  coloufl  Washin|rton\ 
v^-v'^^  tlpfcat,  the  British  court  remonslrated  against  the  conduct 
1753,  of  the  French  in  America  ;  but,  receiving  nothing  but  ova- 
sive  answers  and  professions  of  peace  from  the  court  of 
France,  gave  orders  for  a  vigorous  preparation  for  war. 
The  colonies  wo ro  directed  to  arm  ana  act  with  united  ex- 
ertions again^!  liu?  ctu'iny.  pour  expeditions  were  plan- 
ned :  one  a :  un.if  ihe  Oliio,  u  xlor  the  command  of  gencnil 
Braddock  ;  a  secou-l  ag^iinst  N^ 'a-Scotia;  a  third  agairbt 
Crown  Poin;,  and  a  fourth  ag;>ii\^.  Niagara. 

Tiw  exp'ditiosi  Ma[a:iii..c  ih^  J^^  rench  on  the  Ohio  was 
JudgCii  ?he  m(-'f  immediately  urgent.  General  Braddock 
therefore  emburked  at  Cork,  about  the  middle  of  January, 
nith  fifteen  hundred  regulars,  for  Virginia,  After  a  pas- 
.s;igc  of  abouf  SIX  weeks,  he  i^niv  d  at  the  place  of  his  dcs- 
finiiti'jij. 

T hf  Fn.nch,  while  M)ey  spoke  nothing  but  peace,  made 
vigor  vas  rreparutioni  or  thr  support  of  their  claims  in 
America.  Early  la  the  spring  they  had  a  powerful  arma- 
ment ready  for  Canada,  It  consisted  of  twenty  ships  oi 
the  line,  besides  frigates  and  transports.  On  board  were 
four  ihou'-and  regular  troops,  with  great  quantities  of  mili- 
tary .stores.  The  troops  were  under  the  command  of  Bar- 
on DieskjMi.  »/?  11 

Admirah  Boscawen  and  Holburn,  with  seventeen  ships 
of  the  line,  and  seven  frigates,  with  six  thousand  land  fore- 
PS,  were  dispatched  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy. 
Admiral  Bosrawen  sailed  directly  for  Newfoundland.  Soon 
after  his  arrival,  the  French  fleet,  under  the  command  of 
M.  Bors  de  la  Jtfothe,  came  also  nearly  to  the  same  sta- 
tion. But  the  thick  fogs  which  prevail  on  the  coast,  espe- 
cially in  the  spring,  prevented  the  fleets  from  discovering 
each  other.  One  part  of  the  French  fleet  escaped  up  the 
river  St.  liawrence,  while  the  other  part  went  rouna  and 
got  into  the  river  by  the  straights  of  Bellisle.  But  while 
the  English  squadron  lay  off"  Cape  Race,  the  southernmost 
part  of  Newfoundland,  two  French  dhip^,  the  Alcide,  ol 
sixty-four  guns,  with  four  hundred  and  eighty  men,  and  the 
Lys,  pierced  for  sixty-four  guns,  but  mounting  twenty-two 
only,  having  on  board  eight  companies  of  land  forces,  fell 
in  with  the  Dunkirk,  captain  Howe,  and  the  Pefiance, 
captain  Andrews,  and  after  a  smart  engagement,  v(\ikh 
lasted  some  hours,  were  taken.  On  board  were  found  ^ 
considerable  number  of  officers,  engineers,  and  about 
eight  thousand  pounds  in  money.  The  other  French  ships 
and  troops  arrived  safe  in  Canada,  and  were  the  principal 
means  of  the  misfortunes  which  igrsome  lime  attended  \\w. 
English  colonies. 


r«AP.  XV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


3J!l 


>  same  sta- 


in the  spring,  the  colonics,  osprcially  the  northern,  were  Book  If. 
ill  actively  engp.ged  in  making  preparations  fns-the  several  s^^v'^.^ 
expeditions  to  be  carried  into  execution.     Speci.il  assem-    1747. 
blicst  were  called,  and  messengers  sent  from  one  colony  to  General 
another,  to  learn  each  others  measures,  and  to  form  some  ^»»"nb'ri 
;;(ncral  plan  of  operation.     \\  conseijttrnce  of  letters  re-  p,-,.    '* 
ccivcd  from  Sir  Thomas  Robinson,  one  of  his  niajesty'.v 
principal  secretaries,  the  general  assembly  of  Connecticut 
n-as  convoked  on  the  8th  of  January.    The  letters  express- 
ed his  majesty's  pleasure,  that  a  considerable  number  of 
•roops  should  be  raised  by  the.colonics  for  the  defence  of 
Ills  majesty's  dominions  in  America ;  and  that  his  majesty 
•■oiild  dispatch  several  regiments  from  England  to  co-ope- 
rale  with  the  colonies  for  their  defence,  and  tbe  removmg 
of  the  encroachments  which  had  been  made  upon   them. 
Connecticut  was  called  upon  in  particular  to  exert  herself  in 
!bc  common  cause. 

Tiie  assembly  acknowledged  in  the  most  grateful  man- 
ner their  sense  of  his  majesty's  regard  for  t.he  security  and 
welOaire  of  his  subjects  in  these  parts  of  his  dominions. 
They  also  manifested  their  cheerful  compliance  with  his 
aiaje^ty's  reouisitions  in  all  the  particulars  in  which  they 
had  i}een  made  known  unto  them.  The  gov(  .nor  was  au- 
thorised to  comply  with  every  act  and  thing  which  had  been 
signified,  at  the  expense  of  the  government.  To  meet  the 
extraordinary  expense  which  might  arise,  it  was  enacted 
that  seven  thousand  five  hui  dred  pounds  lawful  money 
'hould  be  forthwith  emitted.  The  bills  were  emitted  at 
Tive  per  cent  interest,  to  be  called  in  on  the  8th  of  May, 
1758.  As  a  proper  fund  for  sinking  said  bills,  a  tax  uf 
iwo  pence  on  the  pound,  lawful  money,  was  levied  on  the 
polls  and  rateable  estate  of  the  colony,  as  exhibited  in  the 
list  which  should  be  brought  in  to  the  assembly  in  1 756  : 
to  be  collected  and  paid  into  the  treasury  by  the  last  day 
ol  August,  1757;  and  it  was  appropriated  to  the  sole  pur- 
pose of  sinking  the  bills. 

In  consequence  of  proposals  from  governor  Shirley,  and 
the  general  court  of  Massachusetts,  another  special  assem- 
bly was  called,  in  March.  The  proposal  was  to  raise  an 
army  of  five  thousand  provincials,  including  governor  Shir- 
ley's regiment  of  one  thousand,  in  the  following  propor- 
tions :  Massachusetts  1200,  New-Hampshire  600,  Rhode- 

sland  400,  and  Connecticut  1000  men.     The  original  plan 

I  was,  that  this  army  should  act  against  the  French  atCrowu 

I  i'oint,  to  erect  another  fort  in  its  vicinity,  and  to  prevent 

further  encroachments  in  that  quarter,  and,  as  far  as  might 

I  be,  to  remove  such  as  had  been  made.      ;      .■ 


^ 


3C0 
Boor  II. 


HISTORY  OF 


tSiAP.  XV .   I  ^"*'"-  ^^'* 


1756. 

Special  at- 
Muililr, 
Mart  b  13, 
1765. 

R<»t)lu- 
tioiif  lor 
rniiirig  ao 
urmy. 


The  assembly  considered  the  proporlion  of  men  as^icn- 
ed  them,  to  be  far  too  great ;  yet  to  show  their  zeal  for  hi^ 
maJesty^s  service  and  their  regard  for  the  public  interest, 
they  voted  to  raise  a  thousaiKi  men,  as  had  Dcen  propostHj.' 
They  considered  the  extensive  frontiers  which  Massachu- 
setts had  to  defend,  and  that  the  province  of  New- York 
might  be  attacked  in  diflferent  places,  and  the  vast  impor- 
tance of  defending  the  country  in  the  present  juncture ; 
and  determined  there  should  be  no  failure  on  their  account. 
The  governor  was  further  authorised,  on  the  first  intima- 
tion from  the  coEnmandcrs  in  chief  that  the  army  neodcd 
a  reinforcement,  to  send  forward  500  men  more,  with  the 
utmost  dispatch.  The  assembly  also  directed  the  govern- 
or to  write  to  the  other  colonies,  to  make  the  same  provij 
ion  for  reinforcing  the  army,  should  it  be  necessary,  anJ 
that  it  should  be  in  proportion  to  the  numbers  they  wen 
respectively  to  furnish. 

To  meet  the  exigences  of  the  <var,  the  assembly  order- 
ed that  all  the  outstanding  bills  in  the  possession  of  any 
person  should  be  brought  in,  to  a  committee  appointed  for 
the  purpose  of  receiving  them,  and  that  orders  should  be 
given  the  persons  who  brought  in  said  bills,  on  the  treasur- 
er of  the  colony,  to  the  amount  of  the  value  of  said  bills, 
made  payable  at  certain  times  fixed  by  the  assembly,  with 
the  lawful  interest  until  the  times  of  payment.  Ample 
funds  were  provided  by  taxes  to  make  payment  of  the  note-, 
for  the  money  called  in,  and  for  the  reimbursement  of  the 
expenses  of  the  war.  Twelve  thousand  and  five  hundred 
pounds  L;)rful  money  was  emitted  in  bills,  with  interest  al 
five  per  cent. 

At  this  assembly,  all  the  officers  of  the  army  were  ap- 
pointed, their  wages  and  those  of  the  common  soldiers  were 
fixed,  and  all  5^ roper  measures  adopted  to  forward  the  ex- 
pedition. William  Johnson,  of  New- York,  was  appointed 
general  of  the  northern  army,  and  colonel  Phinehas  Ly- 
man, one  of  the  magistrates  of  Connecticut,  was  appoint- 
ed major-general.  The  first  Connecticut  regiment  was 
commanded  by  general  Lyman.  His  lieutenant-colonel 
was  John  Pitkin.  The  second  regiment  was  commanded 
by  Elizur  Goodrich,  Esq.  Nathan  Whiting  was  lieutcit- 
ant-colonel. 

At  the  session  in  May,  upon  the  petition  of  Phinehas 
Lyman,  Roger  Wolcott,  Jun.  Samuel  Gray,  and  Abra- 
ham Davenport,  Esq'rs.  and  others,  their  associates,  to 
the  number  of  about  eight  hundred  and  fifty,  known  by  the 

hamia        name  of  the  Susouchannah  company,  by  their  agents,  Geo. 

company.  -Wyllys,  Daniel  Edwards,  Samuel  Talcott,  Thomas  Sey- 


Fewlvftof 
fbe  a^^tijn- 
l)ly  relrt- 
livT  to  the 


time  immem 


ca,  with  lib 


Chap.  XV; 


CONNECTICUT. 


mt 


moiir,  and  Eliph.ilct  Dyar,  representing  that  the  cdlonVt  Boor  II. 
arconJing  to  the  eipresH  limitH  of  its  royal  charter,  is  in  >m^'>^^>m/ 
fitcnt  from  the  Nurraeanset  Bay  on  the  east,  to  the  south    1755. 
tea  on  the  wrst,  nnd  from  the  sea  shore  on  the  south,  to 
the  line  of  the  Massachusetts  province  on  the  north ;  that 
n-ithin  and  towards  the  western  part  of  its  limits,  are  and 
time  immemorial  have  been,  large  numbers  of  the  Indian 
nations,  commonly  called  the  six  nations,  dwelling,  im- 
proving and  claiming  a  large  extent  thereof :  That  a  cer- 
tain large  parcel  ofsuch  their  claim,  situate  and  lying  on 
the  waters  of  theSusquehannah,  about  seventy  miles  north 
and  south,  and  from  about  ten  miles  east  of  said  iiver,  ex- 
tending westward  two  degrees  of  longitude,  they  the  said 
Indian  nations^  not  finding  necessary  for  their  own  use, 
have,  for  very  valuable  considerations,  been  induced  to  re- 
linquish, and  to  sell  to  the  petitioners  :  and  that  some  well 
ordered  plantation,  in  so  near  a  neighborhood  to  the  said  na- 
tions, might  most  likely  be  a  means  to  cement  and  fix  them 
in  friendship  with  his  majesty's  subjects  :  and  that  they 
the  said  Indian  nations  arc  desirous  such  settlement  might 
be  promoted  and  carried  on,  as  being  conducive  to  their 
interest  and  safety  ;  and  therefore  praying  the  consent  of 
this  assembly,  that  his  majesty,  if  it  should  be  his  royal 
pleasure,  would  grant  said  land  to  the  petitioners  and  their 
associates,  thereon  to  erect  and  settle  a  colony,  for  the  ef- 
fectually securing  said  Indians  in  his  majesty's  interest, 
and  the  defence  of  his  majesty's  dominions  in  North  Ameri- 
ca, with  liberty  of  further  purchases  of  said  Indians,  to 
said  purpose,  as  occasion  may  be  : 

Resolved  by  this  assembly,  that  they  are  of  opinion  that 
the  peaceably  and  orderly  erecting  and  carrying  on  of 
Kome  new  and  well  regulated  colony,  or  plantation,  on  the 
lands  above  mentioned,  would  greatly  tend  to  fix  and  se- 
cure the  said  Indian  nations  in  allegiance  to  his  maiestv, 
and  friendship  with  his  subjects  ;  and  do  accordingly 
hereby  manifest  their  ready  acquiescence  therein,  if  it 
should  be  his  majesty's  royal  pleasure  to  grant  said  land  to 
said  petitioners,  and  thereon  erect  and  settle  a  new  colo- 
ny, in  such  form  atid  under  such  regulations  as  might  be 
consistent  with  his  royal  wisdom ;  and  also  take  leave 
humbly  to  recommend  the  petitioners  to  his  royal  favor  in 
the  premises. 

Tne  expedition  against  Nova-Scotia,  was  under  the 
command  of  colonel  Monckton.  He  was  the  first  in  the 
field.  The  province  of  Massachusetts,  early  in  the  spring, 
sent  on  a  considerable  number  of  men  to  Nova-Scotia  ; 
and  about  the  last  of  May,  the  colonel  proceeded  up  the 

V2 


•*" 


%i 


Ki.sioRY  or 


Chap.  Xy 


nooR  II.  \my  of  FuH'ly  with  a  (jocmI  body  of  itoop»,  rovrrnd  by 
^i^^"'^*^  ibrve  frigates  and  a  •lonp  of  war,  nruler  \\\r  rnnunaiid  ol 
nf)5.  raplairi  Rmiso.  with  a  dcnign  (o  di^lixl^i*  the  fiuniy  from 
thnt  quarter.  On  his  arrival  at  INIalagash,  he  found  ihr- 
passage  up  the  river  defended  by  a  largr  number  of  Frenrii 
iroof»s,  Ararliuns  and  Indians.  Four  hundred  were  pjarod 
in  «  log  house,  with  cannon  mounted.  The  rcftt  ofihr 
troops  were  defended  by  a  strong  breast- work  of  timhen 
thrown  up  around  the  blork-house.  But,  th<  Eii;;li9h  af- 
tacked  them  with  such  orthr  and  gallanlTy  that,  aftrr  m, 
anion  of  about  an  hour,  the  enemy  abandoned  their  woik*, 
and  the  passage  up  the  river  was  opened.  The  army  ad- 
vanced, and  on  the  twelfth  of  June,  invested  the  Friiicli 
fort  called  Beausejour.  This,  after  a  bontbanlmeni  ot 
four  days,  was  taken.  The  French  had  twenty-six  pieces 
of  cannon  mounted,  and  ample  supplies  of  ammunition. 
The  garrison  were  sent  fo  LouisbiMPg,  on  condition  of  no«: 
>>earhig  arms  in  America,  for  the  term  of  six  months.  A^ 
hoon  as  llie  fort  was  provided  with  a  proper  garrison,  th(> 
colonel  marched  liirther  into  the  country,  and  reduced 
another  PVench  fort  on  the  river  Gaspcreau,  which  runs 
mto  the  bay  of  Verte.  This  was  the  principal  magazine 
Ibr  supplying  the  French,  Indians  and  Acadians  with  arm?, 
ammunition,  and  all  other  necessaries  for  war.  Hero, 
therefore,  were  fargc  quantities  of  provisions  and  stores  oi 
all  kind^,  for  the  victorious  army.  The  colonel  then  pro- 
ceeded to  disarm  the  Acadians,  to  the  number  of  about  fit- 
teen  thousand  men.  They  were  pretty  generally  remov- 
ed from  that  part  of  the  country.  Crreat  numbers  of  them 
were  brought  into  New-England. 

Meanwhile,  f;aptain  Rouse,  a*id  the  ships  under  his  com- 
ftiand,  sailed  to  St.  John's  river,  to  dislodge  the  enemy 
frwn  that  post.  At  the  mouth  of  the  river,  they  were  erect- 
ing a  new  fort.  But  on  his  approach  they  burst  their  can- 
non, blew  up  their  magazine,  and  as  far  as  time  would  per- 
mit, destroyed  their  works,  and  then  abandoned  the  pos'. 
U)  the  English.  Thus,  by  this  successful  expedition,  Great 
Britain  became  possessed  of  the  whole  country  of  Nova- 
Scotia,  and  its  traryquillity  was  restored,  and  put  on  afinii 
establishment. 

The  two  expeditions  against  Crown  Point  and  Niagara, 
were  forwarded  with  great  exertion  and  dispatch,  by  thr 
colonies  of  New-England  and  New- York.  The  troops  for 
each  of  these  enterprises,  were  ordered  to  rendezvous  hi 
Albany.  Most  of  them  arrived  at  the  place  of  their  desti- 
nati  1  before  the  end  of  June.  Generals  Johnson  and  Ly- 
juan  Ibund  themselves  at  the  head  of  an  anny  of  between 


Chat.  XV. 


CONNi^CTICUT. 


Ml 


live  auiJ  >      hoMsand  men*     Bc»i(lrs,  ihry  vre  joined  l»y  Uook  I(. 
Hcndrick,  suchcm  of  llir  Mohawks,   with  a  considrrablo  >^r>r>^ 
t)ody  of  Indians.     Major-general   Lymnn   soon    marched    1735. 
with  the  main  body  of  the  army,  along  Hudson'^  river,  a^  T>m>  nurth- 
far  as  the  carrying  place,  about  iourteen  niilc«  south  of  the  ""  ■*""' 
•»oulh  end  of  lake  George.     General  Johnson  tarried  at  joh[,[on 
Albany,  to  fom-ard  the  artiljery,  batteaux,  and  other  ne-  ami  Ly- 
( essaries  for  the  cutcrprise.     At  the  carrying  place,  where  "n""*  atl- 
;be  artillery,   provi»ions,  stores  and  batu?aux  were  to  Ix*  ^arj*  (h't 
landed,  it  was  judged  necessary  to  erect  a  fort,  and  to  cast  iuk«;. 
up  enlrenchments  to  secure  ihera,  in  ortlcr  tokeep  up  their 
tommunication  when  they  shoujd  advance,   anu   provide 
jor  a  retreat  wb,eiicver  it  should  be  necessary.     The  ac- 
complishment of  these  works,  with  the  transportation  of 
the  cannon,  provisions,  stores  and  battoaux,  employed  the 
.irmy  five  or  six  weeks,  before  ihey  could  be  in  readiness 
to  advance  to  the  lake. 

While  the  New-Englanders  were  humbling  the  French 
ia  Nova-Scotia,  and  advancing  towards  Crown  Point,  gen-  r.enoral 
^ral  Braddock  had  been  slowly  making  preparations  for  ijrad- 
(he  expedition  against  the  French  on  the  Oh^o.  Though  dock**  ei- 
this,  with  the  ministry,  was  the  favorite  expedition,  and  B^ditioD. 
though  the  general  arrived  soon  enough  to  have  begun  his 
operations  early  in  the  spring,  yet  it  was  the  tenth  of  June 
before  he  commenced  his  march  from  fort  Cumberland, 
which  the  Virginians  had  built  at  WilPs  Creek.  This,  it 
has  been  said,  was  owing  to  the  dilatoriness  of  the  Virgin- 
ians, whom  he  had  employed  as  contractors  for  his  army. 
They  were  nearly  three  months  in  procuring  provisions, 
horses,  and  a  sufficient  number  of  waggons,  for  the  convey- 
ance of  his  baggage.  Some  waggons  were  procured  from 
Pennsylvania,  and  yet  but  about  half  the  number  for 
which  he  had  contracted  were  procured  for  his  ^service. 
He  began  his  march  with  about  two  thousand  two  hundred 
men.  When  he  had  advanced  as  far  as  tiie  great  mead- 
ows, he  received  the  intelligepce  that  the  French,  at  fort 
Du  Quesne,  were  in  expcctativtn  of  a  reinforcement  of  five 
hundred  men.  This  induced  h\m  ic  quicken  his  march  ; 
and  that  he  might  proceed  wi;  'a  greater  expedition,  he  left 
colonel  Dunbar,  with  eight  hundred  men,  to  bring  up  the 
provisions  and  heavy  baggage ;  while  he  pressed  forward 
with  such  provisions  and  necessaries  as  were  barely  suffi- 
cient for  him,  until  colonel  Dunbar  should  bring  up  the 
rear. 

Before  the  generars  departuic  from  England,  much  pains  Prccau- 
had  been  taken  to  m^ike  him  cautious,  and  to  prepare  him  j^'J^"  ^'^^"^ 
i'or  hjs  commands    Colonel  Napier  furnished  Jiirn  with  au 


11 


364 


nihTORY  OP 


^M*f.  X\'.    ■  Tiup.  XV. 


J  756. 


Boor  II.  eieellent  set  of  i '♦.rut.'loni,  whit  h  hr  hn<\  reccivrd  fmni 
thriiuko  ofCiimf  •  .(and.  Indml,  thcdiikr  in  fwrnnri  fir- 
qiientlv  afliiKHiihhi'fl  him  tr  ^)c  pfirlinilarly  watchful  a^initt 
an  ambush  or  surpriftr.  When  he  wan  on  his  inarch,  rol- 
onel  Washineton  intrcau'd  him,  wi>h  oarnestnosR,  to  suffpr 
him  to  piTcrde  the  army  and  sroiir  the  woods  with  his  rari- 
gprs  ;  but  the  general  irealed  this  eenerous  and  necrssary 
proposal  with  (ontrmpl.  Ho  rashly  preased  on,  through 
thickets  and  dangerous  defiles,  without  rcconnoitering  ihf 
woods,  or  obtaining;  any  proper  knowledge  of  the  country 
through  which  he  was  lo  pass.  By  the  eighth  of  July,  he 
had  advanced  nearly  sixty  miles  forward  of  colonel  Don- 
bar,  and  within  twelve  or  fourteen  miles  of  fort  Du  Quosne, 
In  this  situation,  hi*  officers,  especially  Sir  Peter  Flalket, 
earnestly  intreated  him  to  proceed  with  caution,  and  to 
employ  the  friendly  Indiana  in  his  army,  as  an  advanced 
guard,  against  ambuscades  and  surprise.  But  he  was  too 
haughty  and  self-sufficient,  to  derive  any  benefit  even  from 
the  experience  or  wisdom  of  the  greatest  characters. 

The  next  day,  without  any  knowledge  of  the  enemy,  or 
any  of  the  precautions  to  which  he  had  been  so  repeatedly 
advised,  he  pressed  on  until  about  twelve  o^clock,  when, 
all  on  a  sudden,  he  was  saluted  with  a  heavy  and  deadly 
fire  in  front,  and  on  the  whole  of  his  left  flank.  The  ene- 
my artfully  concealed  themselves,  and  reserved  their  fire, 

July  9th.'  until  the  whole  army  had  time  to  enter  the  defile.  Though 
the  yell  and  fire  of  the  enemy  were  tremendous,  yet  there 
was  scarcely  one  of  them  to  be  seen.  The  suddenness  of 
the  attack,  the  horrible  scream  of  the  Indians,  and  the 
slaughter  made  by  the  first  fire  of  the  enemy,  threw  the 
advanced  guard  into  the  utmost  panic,  so  that  they,  rush- 
ing baipk  upon  the  main  body,  threw  the  whole  of  the  reg- 
ular trfops  into  irretrievable  confusion.  The  general  ex- 
hibited the  greatest  intrepidity  and  imprudence.  Instead 
of  retreating  Irom  the  defile,  and  scouring  the  thickets  with 
his  cannon,  or  ordering  the  Virginians  to  drive  the  enemy 
from  his  flanks,  he  remained  on  the  spot,  giving  orders  for 
the  few  gallant  ofltcers  and  men  who  remained  with  him,  to 
form  regularly  and  advance  to  the  charge  of  their  invisible 
dnemy*  But,  as  the  enemy  kept  up  an  incessant  and  de- 
structive fire,  his  ofiicers  and  men  fell  thick  phoxxt  him. 
Five  horses. n^re  soon  killed  under  him ;  but  his  obstina- 
cy seeing-  to  increase  with  bis  danger :  until,  at  length,  he 
received  a  musket  ball  through  his  right  arm  and  lungs. 
As  he  fell,  those  who  remained,  fled  in  great  confusion. 
The  general  was  carried  from  the  field,  by  the  bravery  of 
jieut.  colonel  Gage  and  another  of  his  faithful  officers. 


Defeated, 


.%«. 


..? 


TiiAP.  XV. 


CONNECTICIT. 


363 


'  I 


Thr  artillciy,  ammunition,  baggage,  and  the  generarx  Boor  II. 
cabinet,  with  all  hit  letters  ami  instnic-tions,  fellinto  the  v^"v^^/ 
hands  of  the  enemy.     The  latter  of  thrAi-  were   sent  to    1 75:). 
Knince,  and  the  Freneh  court  availed  itself  of  them  in  their 
memorials  and   decbrations.     The  general   died  of  his  J^**?  ■'"'/ 
woundft  four  days  after  his  defeat.     Thus  the  loss  of  his 
own  life,  and  the  ruin  of  a  line  army,  were  but  the  natural 
consequences  of  his  unparalleled  self-sufficiency,  impru- 
iinice  and  obstinacy.     The  enemy  consisted  of  about  four 
or  five  hundred  men  only,  and  these  were  chiefly  Indians. 
The  whole  were  not  a  match  even  for  the  Virginians,  hud 
ihey  been  allowed  to  fight  in  their  own  way. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  circumstances  of  this  unfor- 
tunate expedition  remains  yet  to  be  told.  The  Virginia 
militia,  who  had  been  despised  by  the  general,  and  Kept 
in  the  rear,  though  equally  exposed  with  the  regular  troops, 
amidst  all  the  dismay  and  confusion,  stood  i^rm  and  unbro- 
ken. They  alone  advanced  against  the  enemy  ;  and,  un- 
der colonel  Washington,  covering  the  retreat,  seem  to  have 
saved  the  regulars  from  total  destruction. 

The  loss  of  ofllcers  and  men  was  very  great.     Sir  Peter  i^,  of 
Halket  was  killed  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  by  the  first  men. , 
fire.     The  general's  secretary,  son  of  governor  Shirley, 
I'ell  soon  after.  The  loss  of  officers  much  exceeded  the  com- 
mon proportion.     The  whole  loss  was  not  less  than  seven 
or  eight  Hundred  men.* 

The  flight  of  the  army  was  so  precipitate  and  extraor-  Kxtraonii- 
(linary,  that  it  never  stopped  until  they  met  the  rear  divi-  nary  iiuiiic 
sion.  This,  on  their  junction,  was  instantly  seized  with  »"«'  "^t- 
the  same  general  panic  which  affected  the  main  body ;  and 
though  no  enemy  had  been  discovered  in  pursuit  of  them, 
yet  the  army  continued  retreating,  without  making  any 
stand,  or  considerable  halt,  till  it  reached  fort  Cumberland, 
which  was  little  less  than  a  himdredand  twenty  miles  from 
the  place  of  action.  Had  the  troops,  even  at  this  distance, 
so  recovered  their  spirits  as  to  have  made  a  stand,  they 
might,  in  some  measure,  have  guarded  the  frontiers,  and 
prevented  those  devastations,  murders,  and  barbarities, 
which  the  French  and  Indians,  during  the  rest  of  the  sum- 
mer, perpetrated  on  the  western  bonders  of  Virginia  and 
Pennsylvania.  But,  instead  of  adopting  this  prudent  and 
salutary  measure,  colonel  Dunbar,  who  succeeded  in  com- 
mand, leaving  the  sick  and  wounded  at  this  post,  under 
the  care  of  the  Virginians,  marched  off,  with  fourteen  hun- 
dred men,  to  Philadelphia,  t 


.)f-  -t— 


*  Rider  says  he  lost  half  hit  army.    Hist,  of  England,  vol.  xl.  p.  1 10 
t  Rider,  vol.  xl.  p.  111. 


30e 


-HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XV.   |  Chap.  XV  . 


1755. 

In  AujHi^t, 
the  north- 
rrn  army 
advanced 
to  the 
lake. 


Boor II.  The  northern  army,  under  general  Johnson,  havini; 
hrou^hi  on  tlit'ir  artillery,  batleaux,  and  provisions,  to  the 
carrying  place  at  fort  Edward,  toward:)  the  hist  of  August, 
advanced  fourteen  miles  to  the  south  end  of  Lake  Gcor^p. 
Here  preparations  were  making,  with  all  possible  dispatch. 
for  crossing  the  lake,  as  soon  as  the  cannon,  batleaux,  utiij 
stores  could  be  brought  on.  In  the  mean  time,  the  army 
was  encamped  on  a  rising  ground,  covered,  on  its  flaiiki', 
with  a  thick  wood  and  swamp,  by  the  lake  in  the  reur, 
,  and  having,  in  the  front,  a  breast-work  of  trees.     While 

the  arr  '  was  encamped  in  this  situation,  the  Indian  scouts, 
^vhom  the  general  sent  out  daily  to  make  discoveries, 
brought  him  intelligence  of  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  ml 
vancing  from  Ticonderoga,  by  south  bay,  towards  fort  Ed- 
ward.    There  was  a  garrison  of  five  hundred  men,  of  ilio 
New- York  and  New-Hampshire  troops,  under  the  com- 
mand of  colonel  Blanchard.     Iinmeaiately  on  the  recep- 
tion of  this  intelligence,  the  general,  comprehending  the 
design  of  the  enemy,  to  destroy  the  provisions  and  siorci 
at  fort  Edward,  and  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  army,  sent 
expresses,  one  after  another,  to  the  colonel,  acquaintii^ 
him  ATilh  his  danger,  and  ordering  him  to  call  in  al!  hi> 
detached  parties,  and  to  keep  his  whole  force  within  the 
fort  and  entrenchments.     About  midnight,  one  of  the  ex- 
presses returned,  with  an  account  that  the  enemy  were  ad- 
vanced within  four  miles  of  fort  Edward.     A  council  oi 
ofliccrs  was  called  ;  and,  agreeably  to  their  opinion,  early 
in  the  morning,  a  party  of  a  thousand  men,  with  Hcndrick, 
the  Mohawk  sachem,  and  his  Indians,  %vere  detached  to 
intercept  the  enerny.     Tl'o  party  was  commanded  by  colo- 
Detach-     nel  VVi.iiatns,  of  Massachusetts,  and  colonel  Whiting,  of 
™*^"' '.'"',  Connecticut.  Daroi.  Dieskuu,  who  commanded  the  French, 
■yv  iiiiam!'.  raarchcd  front  Ticonderoga,  with  a  view  to  cut  off  the  gar- 
rison at  fort  Edward ;  but  when  he  had  advanced  within  a 
few  miles  of  the  fort,  he  received  infonnation,  that  it  was 
fortilicd  with  cannon,  and  that  the  camp,  at  the  lake,  had 
neither  lines  nor  cannqn.     This,  with  the  universal  desir 
of  his  oHicers,  determined  him  to  attack  the  main  camp. 
As  he  was  advancing  within  about  three  miles  of  it,  his  ad- 
vanced parlies  discovered  the  corps  under  colonel  Wil- 
liams, at^d  immediately  laid  in  ambush  to  surprise  him. 
iSoivvithstandiiig  the  vigilance  and  keen  sight  of  the  In- 
dian?, the  whole  party  were  drawn  into  the  snare.     Thf; 
enemy  instantly  rose,  and,  from  every  quarter,  poured  in 
<  'oinTid      upon  them  a  treuicndoui;  fu-e.     Colonel  Williams,  the  lii- 
wilkd.       fUria  saclicm,  and  many  other  olficers  and  men,  instantly 
UM,     Under  these  dioajlvaniages,  and  pressed  with  suf;' • 


Chap.  XV. 


CONNKCTICLT. 


367 


rior  numbers,  it  was  with  the  utmost  ilKTicully,  that  colonel  Book  U. 
Whiting,  who  succeeded  in  the  command,  extricated  his  s^-v^,^ 
men  from  this  danserous  defile,  and  secured  his  retreat    1 755. 
into  the  camp.     Tne  enemy  pressed  so  hard,  that  many  Deiacb- 
ilid  singly,  and  some  whole  companion  soon  followed  their  JJJJi"*/*'* 
pjample.     To  prevent  an  entire  overthrow,   the  whole  gept.  6«b. 
Horc  obliged  to  retreat  with  as  much  haste  as  possible. 

At  the  same  time,  the  firing  was  heard  in  the  camp, 
uhich  was  judged  to  be  at  three  or  four  miles  distance,  and 
i;  appeared  to  approach  nearer  and  nearer.  From  this 
rircumstance,  it  was  rightly  conjectured,  that  the  detach- 
ment was  repulsed,  and  retreating  into  camp.  The  alarm 
being  thus  given,  the  utmost  exertions  were  instantly  made 
to  give  the  enemy  a  proper  reception.  A  few  cannon  had 
been  brought  on ;  but  they  were  at  the  south  landing  of 
tlie  lake,  half  a  mile  or  more  from  the  breast-work.  Par- 
tics  were  sent  to  bring  forward  such  pieces  as  could  be 
moved  with  the  greatest  facility  and  dispatch.  Fugitives 
from  the  retreating  detachment,  soon  came  running  into 
the  camp.  These  were  followed  by  company  after  com- 
pany, in  the  utmost  hurry  and  disorder.  The  whole  party 
were  soon  in  ;  and  the  enemy  following  close  upon  them, 
appeared  in  regular  order,  advancing  towards  the  centre 
of  the  camp.  At  about  thirty  rods  distance,  they  made  a  Battte  at 
little  halt,  and  commenced  the  attack  with  a  brisk  and  q^^^^ 
heavy  firing  of  platoons.  The  Canadians  and  Indians  gep".  6th. 
covered  the  flank  of  the  regular  troops,  and  maintained  a 
brisk,  but  irregular  fire.  The  dismay  and  disorder  with 
which  the  detachment  retreated,  the  reports  of  the  loss 
sustained,  and  of  the  great  number  of  the  enemy,  with  the 
bold  countenance  and  regularity  with  which  they  made 
the  attack,  for  a  few  minutes,  caused  such  a  general  panic, 
that  it  required  the  utmost  exertions  of  the  generals  and 
officers  to  keep  the  men  at  the  lines.  But  they  had  re- 
ceived but  a  few  tires  before  their  spirits  began  to  rise, 
and  they  fought  with  great  resolution.  The  lines  became 
one  continual  blaze  andf  roar.  Some  pieces  of  artillery 
))egan  to  play,  and  so  intimidated  the  Canadians  and  In- 
dians, that  they  were  scattered,  and  retired  behind  trees 
and  bushes,  at  too  great  a  distance  to  do  execution.  Baron 
Dieskau,.  finding  that  he  could  make  no  impression  on  the 
r-cntre  of  the  camp,  moved  first  to  the  left,  and  then  to  the 
rif^ht,  attempting,  by  every  exertion  of  military  art  and 
prowess,  to  force  a  passage.  Nevertheless,  as  he  was  not 
supported  by  his  irregulars,  and  as  from  every  part  of  the 
lines,  which  ne  attempted  to  penetrate,  he  received  a  heavy 
it  lid  desLructivc  fire,  he  was  obliged  to  give  over  his  at- 


^itJii 


368 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XV. 


i 


Boor  If. 
1755. 

n.  DicB- 
kau  He- 

tf;»tfd  and 
taken. 


M'Ginnrs 
defeats  a 
party  of 
the 
French. 


Small  cir- 
cum»taii- 
«"cs  occa- 
sion the 
victory. 


lompls.  The  provincials,  perceiving  that  the  Arc  of  the 
enemv  abated,  and  that  they  wer''  .n  confusion,  lca|ml 
their  Wast-works,  and  attacked  «- .,  all  sides,  with  such  rt>. 
solution  and  imhness,  as  put  tb   a  to  an  entire  rout. 

When  the  action  commenced  the  number  of  the  enemy 
was  about  twd  thousand.  Of  these  about  seven  hundred 
were  killed,  and  thirty  made  prisoners.  Amone  the  latter 
was  Baron  Dieskau  himself,  who  was  found  a  little  distance 
from  the  field,  dangerously  wounded,  supporting  himself  by 
the  stump  of  a  tree. 

The  loss  of  the  provincials  was  about  two  hundred. 
These  were  principally  of  the  detachment  under  colonel 
Williams.  Of  this  there  were  killed,  besides  privates,  col- 
onel Williams,  major  Ashley,  six  captains  and  several  sub- 
alterns. Among  the  slain  was  the  brave  king  Hendrick, 
and  about  forty  of  his  warriors.  The  only  officer  of  dis- 
tinction killed  in  the  attack  on  the  camp,  was  the  gallant 
colonel  Tidcorab,  who  about  ten  years  before  had  signaliz- 
ed himself  at  the  siege  of  Louisburg.  General  Johnsoit 
and  major  Nichols  were  wounded* 

The  next  day,  captain  M'Qinnes,  marching  from  fort 
Edward  with  a  detachment  of  a  hundred  and  twenty  New- 
Hampshire  men,  as  a  reinforcement  to  the  camp,  discover- 
ed between  three  and  four  hundred  of  the  remains  of  the 
enemy  sitting  by  a  pond  not  far  from  the  place  where  col- 
onel Williams  had  been  defeated.  Though  his  numbers 
were  so  inferior  to  the  enemy,  yet  he  made  such  disposi- 
tions, and  attacked  them  with  such  impetuosity  and  good 
conduct,  that,  after  a  sharp  action,  he  put  them  to  flight. 
They  fled  with  so  much  precipitation  as  to  leave  many  of 
their  packs  and  other  articles  to  the  conquerors.  The 
brave  captain  however,  unfortunately  received  a  wound,  of 
which  he  died  a  few  days  after  his  arrival  in  the  camp.* 

Several  small  circumstances,  which  seem  to  have  been 
merely  providential,  probably  saved  fort  Edward  and  the 
army,  and  occasioned  the  defeat  of  the  enemy.  The  re- 
port of  a  prisoner  whom  the  French  had  taken,  that  the 
camp  was  entirely  defenceless,  without  lines  or  cannon,  de- 
termined the  general  to  make  the  attack  on  the  main  army, 
and  probably  saved  fort  Edward.  That  they  made  not  the 
attack  a  few  days  sooner,  when  the  camp  was,  in  fact,  in 
the  situation  which  the  prisoner  reported ;  and  that  the  en- 
emy began  the  attack  at  so  great  a  distance,  as  rendered 
their  fire  in  a  great  measure  ineflectual,  until  the  provin- 
cials had  recovered  their  spirits  anr'  were  prepared  to 
make  a  manly  resistance,  were  very  favorable  circumstan 

"Kider'sHift.  vol.  xl.  p.  130. 


Chap.  XV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


M 


rrs.     Had  the  enemy  reserved  their  fire  and  advanced  di-  Boor  II. 
rectly  to  the  lines  without  hesitation,  it  is  not  improbable  v^'>^^ki/ 
that  they  might  have  obtained  a  complete  victory  with  less    1755. 
loss  than  they  finally  sustained.     Had  not  the  provincials 
strengthened  their  camp  with  lines,  and  brought  on  their 
cannon  at  that  very  juncture,  or  had  any  of  these  circum- 
stances been  otherwise  than  they  were,  the  army  might 
have  been  lost.     It  is  the  glory  of  providence,  by  small 
means  and  circumstances,  to  produce  great  events. 

The  action  at  the  lake  gave  a  general  alarm  to  the  coun- 
try, and  the  generals  called  for  reinforcements  from  the 
several  neighboring  colonics.      Connecticut  immediately 
raised  and  sent  on  two  regiments,  consisting  of  fourtean 
hundred  men,  so  that  the  colony  had  in  actual  service  )>c- 
mecn  two  and  three  thousand  men.      Before  the  battle, 
i;cneral  Johnson  hod  written  to  governor  Fitch,  desiring  a 
reinforcement.      A  special  assembly  was  called  on  the  Special 
27th  of  August,  and  the  legislature  resolved  to  raise  two  Assembly, 
regiments  to  consist  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men  each.    "^* 
The  officers  were  appointed  and  the  reinforcement  was  for- 
warded with  all  possible  dispatch.*     In  a  little  more  than 
one  week  from  the  alarm,  the  regiments  were  raised,  equip- 
ped and  marched  for  service,  ^^^.^ 

Though  the  army  was,  with  great  expedition,  sufficiently  of'erecting 
reinforced,  yet  the  necessity  of  strong  fortifications  and  fortifica- 
garrisonsat  the  carrying  place,  and  at  the  lake,  in  which  ^i°«"' 
provisions   and  stores  might  be  safely  lodged,   and  by 
which  the  communication  between  the  army  and  Albany 
might  be  kept  up,  now  appeared  more  strongly  than  it  had 
ever  before  done,  on  accor,nt  of  the  danger  in  which  the 
army  had  so  lately  been    <  /olved.      It  was  from  Albany 
only  that  they  could  be  supplied  with  provisions,  or  be  re- 
inforced upon  any  emergency.      It  was  by  keeping  open 
this  communication  that  the  retreat  of  the  army  could  be 
secured.      It  was  iL  "efore  judged  unsafe  to  pass  the  lake 
until  a  good  fort  vf&s  erected  at  the  south  landing  of  lake 
George,  and  the  works  at  fort  Edward  were  strengthened, 
and  rendered  more  complete. 

It  was  easily  foreseen  that  by  the  time  the  necessary 
preparations  could  be  made,  it  would  be  too  late  to  pro- 
ceed to  Crown  Point  the  present  campaign,  and  all  thoughts 
of  it  were  thrown  aside.  But  that  every  thing  might  be  in 
the  best  state  of  readiness  as  soon  as  the  spring  should  open, 
the  army  addressed  itself  with  the  utmost  diligence  to  com- 
plete the  works  designed.  A  fort  was  erected  at  lake 
George,  and  the  ^vorks  at  fort  Edward  were  completed. 

*  Records  of  (he  colony. 

W2 


■.'  1  ■  ' 

'■ill 

■-  Vi..' 


i 


s;o 


ifisTORY  or 


Chaf.  XV. 


k 


BooK  II.  The  aroiy  was  ein|f>loyed  in  Uiese  services  until  the  Idttpi 

>-^'v"^»  part  of  November.      The  troops  then  fleramped,  and,  ex 
1755.    rent  those  who  kept  garrison,  returued  to  their  res  pec  tivr 
colonies. 

Though  the  expedition  lEiad  IJaited  as  to  its  m9.iii  ohjef!, 
yet  it  had  been  conducted  wi'di  great  labor,  spirit  and  pru- 
dence. The  colonists  had  advanced  for  through  an  al 
most  trackless  wilderness :  they  cut  and  made  roads  ihrougli 
heavy  forests,  fought  one  battle,  and  gained  the  viciorv 
over  regular  troops.  They  had  built  a  great  number  rii 
boats  and  batteaux,  erected  two  fbrts^  furnished  them  with 
cannon,  stores  and  all  necessaries,  at  a  great  distance  fron, 
the  old  settlements.  It  could' hardly  have  been  reasonablr 
10  expect  that  they  could  have  done  more.  They  wcri 
highly  applauded  by  his  majesty  and  the  whole  nation. 
The  general  received  from  his  majesty  the  honor  of  bcinjj 

Crncral     created  a  baronet,  and  fronv  the  parliament  a  present  o: 

promoted.  "V*^  thousand  pounds.* 

The  expedition  against  Niagara  was  commanded  by 
governor  Shirley,  and  consisted  of  uvo  thousand  live  hun 
died  men.  But  his  preparations  were  so  deficient  and  di 
latory,  that  nothing  of  any  great  importantrc  was  effected. 
It  was  nearly  the  middle  of  July  before  the  first  division 
of  his  army  marched  fi-om  Albany*  The  governor  did  not 
arrive  at  Oswego  until  the  18th  of  August,  and  it  was  the 
last  of  the  month. before  the  artillepy  and  rear  division  ar- 
rived. The  great  distance  between  Al|>any  and  Oswego 
rendered  the  transportation  of  provisions',  ammunition  and 
stores  an  exceedingly  difficult  task.  On  the  news  of  gen- 
eral Braddock's  defeat,  many  of  his  boatmen  dispersed  and 
ran  home.  For  this  reason  a  sufficient  quantity  of  provis- 
ions could  not  be  carried  on  for  the  troops.  Therefore, 
though  several  good  vessels  and  a  great  number  of  boat^ 
had  been  built  to  convey  the  army  across  the  lake  to 
Niagara,  and  though  the  general  had  brought  on  a  fine 
train  of  artillery,  he  could  not  proceed  for  want  of  provis- 
ions. As  late  as  the  26th  of  Septiember,  he  had  not  suffi- 
cient provisions  to  proceed  with  six  hundred  men  only. 
Besides,  the  rainy  season  was  come  on,  and  it  was  judged 
im practice) bile.  The  rest  of  the  season  was  spent  in  erect 
ing  two  nv.vr  forts.  The  ground  on  which  the  old  fort  was 
built,  in  1727,  was  chosen,  rather  lOr  the  agrecableness  ol 
its  situation  than  for  defence  against  a  regular  siege.  One 
fort  was  built  on  the  east  side  of  the  river  Onondaga,  call- 
ed fort  Ontario.  This-  was  about  four  hundred  and  Mt\ 
yards  from  the  old  fort,  and  was  designed  to  comman'' 
'►Rider's  Hist,  voh  Xl  p.  121. 


)  comman* 


f 


Chap.  XV. 


CONNKCTICUT. 


.171 


that  and  the  entrance  of  the  harbor.      The  other  was  fo»iT  Hook  II. 
ftundrecl  and  fifty  yards  west  of  the  old  fort,  called  Oswe- 
Colonei  Mercer  and  seven  hundred  men  were  left  at 


1766. 


Os'wego,  to  garrison  the  forts  ;  and  on  the  24lh  of  October 
ihf  rest  of  the  army  decamped  and  returned  to  Albany. 

Thus  ended   the  campaign  of  1755.     Notwithstanding 
he  prod.'»jious  exertions  of  tnc  colonics,  the  French  were 
uot  dispos.^esscd  of  a  single  fortress,  nor  of  the  least  por- 
;ion  of  territory,  eilher  on  iheir  northern  or  western  fron- 
tiers.    They  and  their  India^n  allies,  not  oaJy  ravaged  the  Ravages  in 
western  frontiers  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania  dunng  the  Virt^inia 
>ummer,  but  they  continued  plundering,  burning  and  lay-  *"*^  ^".°"" 
iiig  them  waste,  ajurdering  and  captivating  the  inhabitants  ^^  n^o? 
during  the  whole  winter.* 

It  will  doubtless  appear  very  extraordinary,  if  not  in  a 
measure  unaccountable,  that  while  New-England,   New- 
Vork,  and  New-Jersty,  were  raising   such   powerful  ar- 
mies, the   wealthy  and   numerous  colonies  of  Virginia, 
Maryland  and   Pennsj'lvania,  should  suffer  a  small  num< 
ber  of  French  and  Indians  thus  to  harass  and  lay  waste 
their  frontiers.     This  was  occasioned  by  a  combination  of 
circumstances  ;  principally  on  account  of  their  numerous 
slaves,  and  the  oivisious  and  animosities  between  the  colo- 
nies themselves,  and  between  their  governors  and  the  peo- 
ple.    The  gr^at  number  of  slaves  in  those  colonies  dimin- 
ished their  strength,  and  rendered  large  draughts  of  men 
from  them  dangerous,    f  he  colonies  had  different  and 
clashing  interests,     Pennsylvania  was  entirely  opposed  to 
the  Ohio  company  and  Virginia,  for  reasons  which  have 
been  mentioned.     Her  inhabitants  seem  rather  to  have  en- 
couraged the  French  and  Indians  at  first,  and  to  have  wish- 
ed them  success.    Afterwards,  when  they  began  to  feel 
the  effects  of  their   inhumanity,  a  misunderstanding  be- 
tween them  and  governor  Morris,  the  royal  and  proprieta- 
ry governor,  entirely  frustrated  their  best  concerted  plans. 
When  the  general  assembly  of  the  province  saw  the  abso- 
lute necessity  of  erecting  Ibrtifications  and  of  maintaining 
a  standing  military  force,  for  the  defence  of  their  western 
I'rontier,  and  passed  a  bill  for  raising  the  sum  of  fifty  thou- 
sand pounds  for  that  purpose,  he  absolutely  refused  giving 
his  assent  to  it,  because,  the  estates  of  the  proprietors  were 
taxed  equally  with  the  estates  of  the  inhabitants.     He  in- 
sisted that  he  had  express  orders  firom  the  proprietors  to 
oppose  all  taxes  upon  their  lands.     The  assembly  judged 
it  reasonable  that  the  proprietaries  should  pay  an  equal 
tax  with  themselves,  as  their  estates  were  equally  exposed 
*  Rider's  Ilietory,  vol.  xl.  p.  127, 


il! 


373 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XVT. 


Boob  H.  and  would  be  equally  benefitted  by  the  common  dcfpnrr, 
\i^"><'^^/  and  could  not  bo  prevailed  upon  to  alter  the  form  of  the 
1756.    bill.     Nothing  could  therefore  Ije  done. 

Between  the  Virginians  and  governor  Dinwiddie,  there 
were  violent  animosities,  on  account  of  his  rapacity  and 
extravagant  fees  for  grants  of  land.  They  carried  thr 
matter  so  far  as  to  prefer  a  complaint  to  his  majer  cy  against 
him. 

Maryland  was  less  exposed  than  the  other  two  colonics, 
and  was  not  zealous  in  carrying  on  the  war.  While  the 
other  colonics  would  not  unite  in  their  own  defence,  It 
could  not  be  expected  that  she  would  undertake  it  sepa- 
rately. Under  the  influence  of  these  circumstances  no 
eflfcctual  defence  was  made,  and  the  enemy  ravaged  with 
impunity. 

In  l^e  mean  time,  his  majesty  was  so  well  pleased  with 
the  zeal  and  ser/ices  of  New-England,  and  of  some  of  the 
neighboring  coU)nies,  that  he  recommended  it  by  a  message 
to  the  house  of  commons,  to  take  into  consideration,  the 
t^  faithful  services  of  the  people  of  New-England,  and  of 
some  other  parts  of  North  America,  and  grant  them  a 
suitable  reward,  as  an  encouragement.  In  consequence 
of  his  majesty's  recommendation,  the  parliament  voted 
one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  pounds  for  those  purposes/ 


.  <■■  ,  i< 


•■>;  I*  V  ■'.... 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


War  pro- 
claused. 


Campaign  in  1736.  War  proclaimed,  British  generals 
appointed.  Troop*  raised  by  Connecticut,  Plan  of  the 
campaign  in  1756.  The  British  generals,  Abercomhk 
and  lord  Loudon,  arrive  in  America.  The  reception  of 
his  lordship.  Dilatory  and  unaccountable  conduct  of  the 
generals.  Colonel  Bradstreet  is  attacked  by  the  nemy 
and  defeats  them,  Gsmego  invested  and  taken,  b  gene- 
ra/ Montcaljm.  Loss  at  thai  post.  Comparison  between 
the  campaigns  in  1755,  and  1756.  The  enemy  continue 
their  ravages  in  the  southern  colonies, 

ALL  the  hostilities  of  the  preceding  years  had  been 
carried  on  vithout  any  proclamation  of  war  by  Eng- 
land or  France.     The  latter,  during  the  whole  time,  had 
made  the  most  pacific  professions.     But,  notwithstanding, 
•  Rider's  Hist.  vol.  xl.  p.  151, 152. 


I 


Chap.  XVI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


373 


(ircat-Britain,  on  the  eighteenth  of  Ma^,  proclaimed  war  Rook  If. 
a^inst  F'rance.  Early  in  June,  the  king  of  France,  in  v^^x^^m' 
his  turn,  proclainaed  war  against  Great- 'Vitain.  I7aG. 

A»  governor  Shirley  had  not  answered  his  majesty's  ex- 
pcctations  the  last  year,  and  as  he  determined  to  make 
his  principal  efforts  in  America,  where  the  iirst  hostilities 
rommenced,  and  where  it  was  conceived  the  strongest 
impressions  could  be  made,  general  Abercrombie  was  ap- 
pointed to  succeed  him.  But,  as  it  was  iudgcd  that  a  gen- 
eral command  over  all  the  operations  in  North  America, 
would  subserve  the  general  interest,  the  earl  of  Loudon 
tvas  appointed  f:ommander  in  chief  of  that  department  of 
the  war.  Besides  his  general  command,  he  was  appoint- 
ed governor  of  Virginia,  and  colonel  of  a  royal  American 
regiment,  to  be  raised  in  this  country.  He  was  viewed  as 
a  nobleman  of  amiable  character,  and  ^had  formerly  dis- 
tinguished himself  in  the  service  of  the  nation.  He  was 
vested  with  great  powers,  little  short  of  those  of  a  viceroy. 

Great  expectations  were  now  formed,  of  a  vigorous  and 
successful  campaign.  The  northern  colonies  exhibited  a  # 
noble  zeal  in  his  majesty's  service,  and  had  their  respec- 
tive quotas  of  troops  early  in  the  field.  Connecticut,  in 
particular,  raised  two  thousand  five  hundred  men,  which 
was  double  the  number  required  by  the  commander  in 
chief,  as  the  proportion  of  the  colony  in  the  service  of  that 
year.  This  was  done,  that  the  service  might  not  suiFer, 
as  it  was  expected  that  some  of  the  southern  colonics, 
would  not  send  into  the  field  the  number  of  men  allotted 
to  them.t  About  seven  thousand  provincials,  well  prepar- 
ed, were  seasonably  in  the  field.  But  the  conduct  of  the  ♦ 
general  was  dilatory,  and  spiritless  in  the  extreme.  Though 
genera!  Abercroiubie  took  his  departure  for  America  in 
March,  he  did  not  join  the  army  until  the  latter  part  of 
June.  The  earl  of  Loudon,  who  was  to  direct  the  grand 
plan  of  operations,  never  left  England  until  the  last  of  May . 
By  this  time  he  ought  to  have  been  in  America,  and  to  have 
opened  thp  campaign.  The  plan  of  operation  in  America  pig^  ^f  ^j^ 
this  year,  had  been  concerted  by  a  general  council  of  war  campaign., 
at  New- York.  It  was  to  attack  Niagara  and  Crown  Point. 
To  facilitate  these  operations,  a  body  of  troops  was  to  be 
detached  up  Kennebec  river,  to  alarm  the  capital  of  Cana- 
da. These  enterprises  were  to  have  been  effected  by  the 
northern  colonic^,  in  conjunction  with  a  body  ot  regular 
Jroops.  At  the  same  time,  the  southern  colonies,  assisted 
by  several  regular  regiments,  were  to  besiege  fort  Du  Ques- 

t  B<^ason8  of  the  colony  why  the  British  colonies  ghould  not  be  taxed 
by  pai  liament,  p.  30.  • 


I 


••1. 


H  ...1 


%     1   i 


'  V  i- 


:^74 


ni*5T0RV  OF 


OfiAP.  xvx 


m 


K  ■' 


Hook  II.  nr.  <m  llic  Ohio.     Thn  plan  wa«»  rxfcnsivc  ;  hut,  ihe  colo- 
N^^v-^^  nies  united,  wiili  men  of  »ki!l  and  enterprise  lo  lead  thotn, 
hiipor-       were  well  able  to  liuve  carried  it  into  execution.     Niagani, 
Ih"*^*'  **/    without  doubt,   was  one  of  the  most  important  posts  in 
]\'Ll|^'q  "  North  America.     Its  situation  was  on  the  south  side  of  lake 
Ontario,  at  the  very  entrance  of  the  strait  which  joins  this 
to  lake  Erie,  and  forms  the  only  water  communication  be- 
tween them.     This  was  the  grand  link,  which  connected 
the  two  colonics  of  Canada  and  Louisiana.     It  was  the  on. 
ly  way  by  which  the  Indians,  for  several  hundred  miles 
Irom  the  north  west,  could  pass  with  safety,  to  the  southern 

!)arls  of  America ;  or  by  which  the  Indians,  south  of  tii); 
akc,  could  communicate  with  those  north  of  it.  Whoever 
commanded  this  post,  must,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree, 
not  only  influence  and  command  the  five  nations,  and  the 
Indians  north  of  the  lake,  but  a^l  those  scattered  on  the 
banks  of  the  Wabash  and  the  Mississippi.  By  possessin;; 
this  post,  all  communication  between  Canada  and  the  Ohio 
would  be  cut  ofT,  and  the  English  would,  in  t>  great  mea- 
sure, command  all  the  Indians  on  their  western  frontiers. 
'\t  the  same  time,  it  would  very  greatly  facilitate  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  enemy^s  fortresses  on  the  Ohio,  and  all  their 
other  po6ts  south  of  the  lakes. 

Crown  Point,  on  which  the  French  commenced  their 
works,  about  the  year  1731,  secured  the  absolute  command 
of  lake  Champlain,  and  guarded  the  only  passage  into  Can* 
ada.  It  was  through  this  lake,  by  the  route  of  Crown 
Point,  that  the  parties  of  French  and  Indians  made  their 
bloody  incursions  upon  the  frontiers  of  New-England  and 
New- York.  This  brought  the  enemy  much  nearer  to  the 
colonies,  and  served  them  as  a  place  of  retreat,  on  emer- 
gencies. It  furnished  them  witn  provisions  apd  ammuni- 
tion at  hand,  and  greatly  assisted  them  in  their  works  of 
destruction.  The  reduction  of  this  post  would  render  the 
iVcnticrs  of  the  northern  colonies,  in  a  great  measure  se- 
cure. The  enemy  would  be  driven  back  into  his  own  ter- 
ritories, nortli  of  the  lakes,  and  the  way  would,  the  next 
<-ampaign,  be  opened  into  the  heart  of  Canada.       >  f 

These  objects  ought  to  have  inspired  the  generals  and 
the  whole  army  with  |he  utmost  spirit,  and  to  have  produc- 
«d  the  utmost  expedition  ;  but  tne  generals  appeared  to 
possess  neither.  General  Abercrombie  pretended  to  be 
wailing  for  two  regiments  from  England.  At  length  they 
arrived,  and  on  the  twenty-fifth  of  June,  the  general  pro- 
ceeded to  Albany.  Here  he  found  himself  at  the  head  ot 
six  regular  regiments,  and  a  number  of  independent  com- 
jKinic^ :  the  N»^w-Eiig!and,  Ncv-York,   New-Jersey,  ari'l 


Denrrip- 
tion  of 

Poiiil. 


'HAP.  XVf. 


COiNNECTICUT. 


175 


ari'.l 


iomo  other  troops,*  amounting  to  ten  thousand  men,  well  Book  II. 
ippointod,  in  health  and  high  spirits.     But  with  this  fine  s^~v-^/ 
army,  »urh  nn  one  ast  had  never  before  taken  the  field  in 
America,  nothing  of  consequence  was  undertaken.     Nei- 
ther of  the  proposed  expf<liiionH  were  even  attempted,  nor 
were  the  out  posts  seasonably  reinforced  and  defended. 

Meanwhile,  the  enemy  acted  with  vigour  and  dispatch. 
They  had  not  only  time  to  make  preparations  agahist  fu- 
ture attacks,  but  to  carry  on  offensive  operations.     Even 
before  this  period,  they  reduced  a  smal!  fortress  in  the 
fountry  of  the  five  nations.     The  garrison,  consisting  of 
iwenty-five  Englishmen,  were  massacred,  in  the  midst  of 
those  Indians  who  had  long  b«^cn  considered  as  the  allies 
of  Great-Britain  and  her  colonies.     At  the  same  time,  they 
carefully  watched  all  the  motions  of  the  English.     Having 
received  inlelligence,  that  a  considerable  convoy  of  pro- 
visions was  on  the  way  from  Schenectady  to  Oswego,  they 
laid  an  ambush  in  the  woods  and  thickets  on  the  north  side 
of  the  Onondaga  river,  to  intercept  and  cut  off  tlie  parly.   . 
But  soon  having  information  that  the  convoy  was  past, 
they  determined  to  wait  the  return  of  the  detachment. 
This  was  commanded  by  colonel  Bradstreet,  an  officer  of  Colonel 
courage  and  enterprise.     He  had  been  apprehensive  of  ^'adstre^t 
such  an  event,  and  was  not  unprepared.     As  he  was  sail-  burdefta<» 
ing  along  the  river,  with  his  batteaux,  in  three  divisions,  the  en«mj, 
he  was  saluted  with  the  Indian  war  whoop,  and  a  general  July  Sd. 
discharge  of  musketry,  from  the  north  shore.     He  ioimedi- 
utely  ordered  his  men  to  land  on  the  opposite  shore,  and, 
with  part  of  them,  he  took  possession  of  a  smal>  island. 
The  enemy  instantly  forded  the  river,  and  attacked  him ; 
but  he  gave  them  so  warm  a  reception,  that  they  ^vere 
Roon  repulsed.     Having  intelligence  that  another  body  of 
the  enemy  had  crossed  the  river,  a  mile  higher  up,  he  ad- 
vanced against  them,  with  two  hundred  men,  and  attacked 
them,  sword  in  hand,  with  such  resolution,  that  those  who 
were  not  slain  upon  the  spot,  were  driven  into  the  river, 
and  considerable  numbers  were  drowned.     Hearing  that  a 
third  party  had  passed  still  higher  up  the  river,  he  march- 
ed against  them  with  all  possible  dispatch,  and  put  theui 
to  a  total  rout.    In  these  actions,  which  lasted  about  three 
hours,  about  seventy  of  his  men  were  killed  and  wounded. 
About  twice  that  number  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  aiid 
seventy  taken  prisoners, 

FVom  them  colonel  Bradstreet  obtained  the  intelligence, 

*  Rider's  History  of  England,  vol.  xli.  p.  16.  There  wcre_ beside,  in 
the  garrisons  at  Oswego,  «nd  the  forts  above  Albany,  more  than  Iw- 
ttiomand  men,  ao  armj .  in  the  whol",  of  twelve  thoubaad  men. 


■  ''-li-il 


History  ok 


Chai-.  XV(. 


ihnf  a  lart;o  Ixvlyof  ihc  rncmy  'Mfil  taken  i)0«t  on  ihc  ra^f 
<>r  l;ikr  Ontario,  furnishc  with  artillery,  and  nil  u,,. 


SKI* 


176(.. 


Inactivity 
oflhiiBiit- 
i^h  gent- 

laiit. 


Monte  nliti 

licsicMje* 

Oswego. 


It  ciirrrn- 
«f(.r*  Aiig- 
ii<'t  MDi. 
Lo«s<'s  at 
O»wcijo. 


|>lcnK'nt«  for  the  sirsjc  of  ^'Nwc^o.     Tho  colonel  rrturned 
iinm'-iliat(ly  to  Albany,  nmi  gave   informniion  of  the  up- 

Iiroach  of  tb  •!jf»niy.  Goneral  Wt;f)l),  with  one  rcgimeni, 
lad  orrlors  ■  .  !;  jid  himself  in  readiness  to  iu;irch  to  the  rr - 
lief  ol  that  post.  But  on  the  Iwcnty-ninili  of  July,  when 
lord  Loudon  arrived  at  Albany,  he  had  no'  hc^un  hiii 
march.  By  this  time,  general  VVitislow,  with  bout  sevrn 
thousand  of  the  Ncw-Encland  and  Nt  >v-York  troops,  iiad 
advanced  to  the  south  landing  of  lake  '^irorgc.  They 
were  in  hic;h  spirits,  perfectly  liarmonions,  and  wailed 
with  impatience  to  be  led  to  the  atti  k  of  Crown  Point. 
Great  ntmibcrs  of  batleaux-men  lay  at  Albany,  Schtneria- 
dy,  and  other  places  convenient,  for  the  service.  Tho 
generals  had  about  three  thousand  men  with  tht  mat  Alba- 
ny, With  such  a  force,  mm  of  sicill  and  enterprise  migh' 
have  penetrated  into  the  heart  of  Canada.  But  the  Brii- 
■  ish  generals,  with  the  greatest  part  of  the  regular  troops, 
remained  at  Albany  until  the  middle  of  August,  if  not  un- 
til sometime  after.  General  Webb  never  began  his  march 
till  the  twelfth  of  the  month. 

Meanwhile,  the  marquis  de  Montcalm  invested  the  forts 
at  Oswego,  with  about  three  thousand  mcnj^ regulars,  Ca- 
nadians, and  Indians.  Ho  blocked  up  the  harbour  with 
two  large  armed  vessels,  and  posted  a  strong  party  on  the 
roads  between  Albany  and  the  forts,  to  cut  off  all  intelli- 
gence and  succour  from  the  army.  Having  made  the  ne- 
cessary preparations,  on  the  12th  of  August,  he  opened 
his  trencnes  before  fort  Ontario,  which  had  been  built  on  an 
eminence,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  fort  Oswego,  which 
il  overlooked  and  commanded.  The  English,  firing  away 
their  shells  and  ammunition,  the  very  next  day  spiked  up 
their  cannon,  and  unaccountably  retired  across  the  river, 
into  fort  Oswego,  where  they  were  much  more  exposed 
than  they  were  in  the  fort  which  they  had  abandoned, 
'i'lie  enemy  having  possessed  themselves  of  this  command- 
ing ground,  soon  began  an  incessant  fire  on  fort  Oswego. 
On  the  thirteenth,  colonel  Mercer,  who  commanded,  was 
killed  with  a  cannon  shot ;  the  officers  were  divided  in 
o[)inion,  and  the  garrison  was  panic  struck ;  so  that  thf 
enemy  made  an  easy  conquest  of  one  of  the  most  important 
posts  which  the  English  had  in  America.  On  the  four- 
teenth of  August,  the  garrison  capitulated.  A  hundred 
and  twcnty-oiic  pieces  of  cannon,  fourteen  mortars,  great 
(juantities  of  ammunition  and  warlike  stores,  two  frigates 
or  sloops  of  war,  v.hich  had  been  built  to  cruise  oji  the 


f,n».xvr. 


CONHfectirUT. 


377 


l,,kp,  nnd  to  rovfr  the  troops  in  the  fxpcdiiion  doftignrd  Dook  \t, 
tpmsl  Niagara,  two  hundmJ  Immis  and  (utiteaux,  with  a  y^^'^^^^j 
eiirrison  of  sixtcrn  hiindreil  men,  wrre  dflivrred  into  tlio    iTbii, 
fiiiiul^  of  the  rnrniy.*     The  victor*  immrdiatcly  diAmantl«>d 
iho  fortu,  nnd  carried  off  this  grand  J)Ooty  to  strengthen 
hrir  own  lines  and  fortresaeA  on  tKc  lake  and  river. 

By  the  full  of  thin  post,  the  enemy  obtained  the  soloConiK^ 
omtnand  of  the  lukes  Ontario  and  Erie,  and  the  whole  S''*'''*ir' "^ 
country  of  the  five  nations,  which  it  was  designed  to  cover. 
The  seltlemrnts  at  the  German  flats,  and  that  fine  tract  of 
rountry  on  the  Wo'  '  -^rcek  and  Mohawk  rivers,  were  laid 
open  to  thfirinci 

When  gencr  '  advanced  as  far  as  the  carry- 

ing place  betu<  river  and  Wood  creek,  he  re- 


itt  ral< 


rived  the  news 


a*e  of  Oswego.     Apprehensive 


of  an  attack  from  i-iu  enemy,  he  begun  to  fell  trees  and 
(ast  them  into  the  river,  and  to  render  it  impassable,  even 
I V  canoes.  The  enemy,  ignorant  of  his  numbers,  and 
dreading  an  attack  from  him,  used  the  same  precaution  to 
prevent  his  advancing.  He  was  left,  therefore,  to  retreat 
111  the  same  leisurely  manner  in  which  he  had  advanced. 

Lord  Loudon  now  pretended,  that  the  season  was  too 
far  advanced  to  attempt  any  thing  against  the  enemy, 
iliough  it  was  now  nearly  three  months  to  the  usual  time 
for  tne  decampment  of  the  army.  The  troops  were  ad- 
vanced to  the  south  end  of  lake  George,  and  might,  at  any 
time,  within  a  very  few  days,  have  made  an  attack  on  Ti- 
conderoga  and  Crown  Point. 

He  spent  the  remainder  of  the  season  in  pretended  pre- 
parations for  an  early  campaign  the  next  spring.  The 
forts  Edtvard  and  William  Henry,  were  made  more  defen- 
sible, and  furnished  with  numerous  garrisons.  The  pro-  campaijfn 
vincials  returned  to  their  respective  colonies,  and  the  regu-  breaks  up. 
lar  troops,  who  were  not  employed  in  the  garrisons,  went 
into  winter  quarters,  at  Albany.  Thus  ended  the  northern 
campaign  of  1756. 

The  last  year  the  provincials,  under  their  own  generals  compajj, 
and  officers,  had  performed  imiriense  labour,  in  clearing  goo  he- 
and  making  roads  through  a  wilderness ;  advanced  far  on  tw^en  tho 
the  enemy  ;  erected  forts,  built  ships,  many  hundreds  of  oHt's^s^"* 
boats  and  baltcaux  ;  defeated  one  army  of  the  enemy,  and  and  1766. 
taken  their  general  captive.     They  had,  also,  made  grand 
preparations  for  the  opening  of  the  campaign,  at  the  ear- 
liest period,  this  year.     They  look  the  field  at  an  early 
ilay  in  tlie  spring,  ready  for  an  attack  upon  the  enemy. 

*  llidnr's  Hist.  vol.  xli,  p.  15,  21.     Wright's  Hiftorj  of  thf  French 

^^'ar,  vjI.  ii.  p.  J7.  IC. 

X2 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Science 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)872-4303 


.178 


HISTORY  OF 


CitAP.XVf.   I  Cha^XVI 


Cnnduct 
of  Ihe 
soutbem 
colonics. 


General 
disap- 
pointment, 


Dul  tlic  British  generals,  with  the  finest  army  ever  collect- 
ed Ixjfore  in  America,  with  the  advantage  of  roads  and 
rivers  cleared  for  their  passage  to  the  very  enemy,  and  all 
the  preparations  of  the  last  year,  lost  one  of  their  most  im- 
portant posts,  advanced  not  one  foot  upon  the  enemy,  noi 
effected  any  thing  h6nourable  or  important. 

The  management  of  affairs  in  the  southern  colonies,  was 
not  more  fortunate  than  it  had  been  in  the  northern.  Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland,  and  Virginia,  did  not  resolve  on  any 
regular  plan  of  defence.  Fort  Grenville,  on  the  confines 
of  Pennsylvania,  was  surprised'  and  taken.  The  French 
and  Indians,  in  small  parties,  made  frequent  incursions  into 
the  frontier  settlements  of  these  colonies,  committing  many 
shocking  murJcrs  on  the  defenceless  inhabitants,  without 
regard  to  the  distinction  of  character,  seX)  or  age« 

In  South-Carolina,  the  slaves  were  so  much  more  nume- 
rous than  the  white  inhabitants,  that  it  was  judged  unsafe 
for  them  to  spare  any  of  their  troops  abroad,  upon  any 
general  enterprise.  Great  expectations  had  been  formed 
of  the  earl  of  Loudon  and  general  Abercrombie.  In  the 
principal  towns  through  which  his  lordship  passed^  the 
first  characters  flocked  round  him,  and,  with  great  cere- 
mony, congratulated  him  on  his  safe  arrival.  At  New- 
Haven,  the  Rev.  President  Clap,  and  the  principal  gentle- 
men of  the  town,  waited  on  him,  in  the  most  respectful 
manner.  The  jwesident  presented  his  lordship  with  their 
joint  congratulations  on  the  safe  arrival  of  a  peer  of  the 
realm  in  North-America.  How  prodigious,  then,  was  their 
disappointment,  how  cutting  their  chagrin,  when  they  found 
'  that  these  very  men,  from  whom  they  had  exjpected  so 
much,  had  disconcerted  and  'dashed  all  their  plans,  and 
had  employed  ten  or  twelve  thousand  men,  through  the 
summer,  in  doing  nothing  ? — and,  through  their  inactivity, 
lost  more  men  dv  idleness  and  disease,  than  probably 
would  have  been  lost  in  a  vigorous,  active  campaign,  in 
which  they  might  have  engaged  in  severe  and  hard  loughi 
battles,  and  have  done  the  most  essential  services  to  their 
country  ?  It  was  not  difficult  to  discern  that  the  enemy 
had  nothing  to  fear,  and  the  colonies  nothing  to  expect 
fi'om  such  men,  but  loss  and  disappointment. 


AP.xvr.  ■cflAf.xvii. 


CONNECTICUT. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


1757. 


Prefjarationsfor  the  campaign  in  1 7  57,  The  plan  of  opera' 
iion  in  America  changed,  and  Louisburg  becomes  its  only 
object,  T*his  Teas  reinforced^  and  the  expedition  post- 
poned. Fort  William  Henry  is  taken  by  the  French. 
The  country  is  alarmed  and  great  reinforcements  of  the 
militia  sent  forward  to  Albany  and  fort  Edxoard,  The 
campaign  closes  with  loss  and  shame.  The  provincials 
lose  all  confidence  in  the  British  commanders, 

VTOTWITHSTANDING  the  disappointments  of  the 
1^  last  year,  the  British  parliament  made  great  prepa- 
rations this  year,  for  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war  in 
America.  In  May,  admiral  Holbourn  and  commodore 
Holmes,  sailed  from  Cork  for  America,  with  eleven  ships 
ofthe  line,  a  fire  ship,  and  bomb  ketch,  with  fifty  trans- 
jKtrts,  having  on  board  more  than  six  thousand  .regular 
troops.  This  powerful  armament  arrived  safely  at  Hali- 
fax, the  ninth  of  July.  The  land  force  came  out  under 
general  Hopson. 

The  colonies  expecting,  after  such  preparations,  that 
their  troops  would  have  been  led  on  directly  to  the  con- 
quest of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  had  oeen  zealous- 
ly raising  their  fiill  complement  of  men.  Connecticut, 
which  had  raised  more  than  double  her  proportion,  again 
had  her  whole  quota  seasonably  raised.  Great  therefore 
was  the  mortification  of  the  colonies  when,  to  their  sur- 
prise, they  found  that  the  design  against  Crown  Point  was. 
laid  aside,  and  that  the  reduction  of  Louisburg  was  the 
only  object  of  the  exoedition.  They  were  unwilling  that 
their  troops  should  be  removed  out  of  the  colonies  and 
employed  against  Louisburg.  It  appeared  to  them  ex- 
tremely impolitic,  after  the  expense  of  so  much  tiixie  and 
money,  in  preparations  for  an  expedition  to  the  northward, 
now  to  lay  it  aside.  Sucb  inconsistency  and  fluctuatioa 
appeared  to  them  childish,  and  calculated  to  prevent  the 
accomplishment  of  any  Uiing  decisive  or  important.  Be- 
side, it  did  not  appear  safe  for  the  colonies  to  draw  off  their 
troops.  They  had  not  been  able,  the  last  year,  with  an 
army  of  nearly  twelve  thousand  men,  to  maintain  then* 
ground.  The  enemy  were  now  stronger  than  they  were 
the  last  year.  By  the  loss  of  Oswego,  all  the  western 
country  was  laid  open  to  their  ravages.  There  was  rea- 
SQQ  to  (ear  that  the  frontier  posts  would  be  swept  away, 


^■M 


m 


3U0 


IlfbTORY  OF 


Cmap.  XVII.  ■   Chap.  XV 


UooK  II*  one  after  anolhrr,  and  lliat  all  tin-  preparations  which  hn-l 
S^">''S»^  been  made  for  an  early  attack  on  the  enemy,  would  he  lo»i 

1757.    with  them.     Besides,  the  enemy  would  have  another  yrjir 
to  fortify  and  strengthen  their  posts,  and  to  render  the  re- 
duction of  them  mucn  more  hazardous  and  difficult. 
Julj  9Ui.        The  colonies  were  obliged  to  submit,  and  lord  Loudon 
sailed  from  New- York  for  Halifax,  with  six  thousand  land 
forces,  and  there  made  a  junction  with  Holbourn  and  Hop- 
son.     Here  was  now  an  army  of  twelve  thousand  men,  ex- 
clusive of  officers,  culcd   by  a   powerful  fleet ;  hut  thoy 
Kxpedition  were  so  dilatory  in  their  measures  that,  before  they  wen 
ajninst      ready  to  sail,  the  Brest  fleet,  with  seventeen  sail  of  the  linr, 
Louisburg  bpsides  frigates    and   transpo'ts,    arrived  at   Louisbiirg. 
s  givea      rj,j^^  garrison  was  so  reinforced  qs  to  amount  to  nine  thou- 
sand men.     On  thp  reception  of  this  intelligence,  it  was 
judged  inexpedient  to  proceed,  and   tjie  expedition  was 
given  up.*  '   .Ti  ,  .-i':!-;  '•    . ,         .:^ 

Had  the  earl  of  l^oudon  been  a  man  of  enterprise,  haj 
be  wished  to  .distinguish  himself  in  his  majesty's  service, 
or  to  have  rendered  himself  popular  in  the  colonies,  he 
might  have  conducted  this  powerful  army  to  Ticonderoga, 
and  carried  all  before  him,  in  that  quarter.  At  least,  he 
might  have  sent  on  large  detachments  for  the  defence  of 
the  frontiers.  With  his  Prussian  majesty,  an  Amherst,  ci 
a  Wolfe,  these  would  have  been  but  natural  and  common 
atchievements.  But  he  returned  leisurely  to  New- York, 
and  effisctcd  nothing. 

The  British  generals,  in  America,  did  more,  in  two 
years,  by  (he  pusillanimity,  weakness  and  inconsistency 
of  their  councils,  to  injure  the  colonies,  than  the  French 
could  have  done  with  all  their  forpe.  The  provincials 
would,  probably,  have  ad  ed  to  Crovj^n  Point  the 
last  year,  and  made  themr  .  a  masters  of  the  country 
south  of  lake  Champlain.  Taey  would  undoubtedly  have 
kept  their  own  posts  and  prevented  the  evils  which  follow- 
ed. Tl^e  British  generals  and  officers  not  only  lost  Oswe- 
go, but  they  destt  oyed  the  fortificatior^  at  the  gpeat  carry- 
ing place ;  and  flUed  Wood  Creek  with  logs  aiyl  trees. 
Tnev  cut  pifall  communication  between  the  cokniiies  and 
the  nve  nations,  the  only  body  of  Indians  which  preserv- 
i^d  the  appearances  of  frien<iship  to  them.  They  abandon- 
ed their  whole  country  to  the  mercy  of  the  enemy.  Noth- 
ing could  be  done  tc  prevent  th^ir  collecting  the  Indians, 
from  all  quarters,,  to  act  against  the  colonies. 

Monsieur  Montcalm,  d>u  not  neglect  to  improve  the  ad- 
vantages  he  had  gained,  and  which  the  conduct  of  the  Bri' 
*  Rider's  Hist.  vol.  xVi'u  p.  6,  ?,  ;  «       '  •  i  <    I     i    ' 


^i*'  XVII.  ■  Chap.  XVII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


?8l 


)sh  generals  afforded  him.     Finding  that  the  troops  were  Book  II. 
(Iraw'n  off  to  Halifax,  he  at  once  determined  on  the  siege 


of  fort  William  Henry,  and  the  destruction  of  the  vessels, 
|)oats,  and  batteaux,  at  the  south  landing  of  lake  George. 
Ikxlies  of  Indians,  with  his  whoje  force,  w"re  collected  lor 
ibis  purpose. 

Colonel  Monroe,  who  commanded  at  fort  William  Hon- 
ry,  having  intelligence  that  an  advanced  party  of  the  em- 
niy  lay  at  Ticonderoga,  detached  colonel  Parker  with  four 
hundred  men  to  surprise  theip.  Having  landed  at  night, 
not  far  distant  from  the  enemy,  he  sent  three  boats  to  re- 
connoitre, directing  them  where  to  meet  him  in  a  general 
rendezvous.  The  enemy,  waylaying  and  intercepting  the 
boats,  obtained  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  cojonel's  de- 
signs, and  concerted  measures  to  decoy  him  into  their 
hands.  They  laid  an  ambush  behind  the  point  where 
ihey  knew  he  designed  to  land,  and  having  been  reinforced 
(0  nearly  double  his  numbers,  they  sent  three  boats  to  the 
place  appointed  for  the  general  rendezvous.  Tiie  colonel 
mistaking  them  for  his  own  boats,  eagerly  put  to  shore, 
and  was  instantly  surrounded  by  the  enemy.  They  attack- 
ed him  on  all  sides  with  such  incessant  violence,  that  sev- 
enty privates  and  twq  officers  only  made  their  escape. 

Elated  with  this  success.  Monsieur  Montcalm  hastened 
to  the  seige  of  fort  William  Henry.  Having  drawn  togeth- 
er all  his  forces  from  Crown  Pomt,  Ticonderoga,  and  the 
adjacent  posts,  with  a  greater  number  of  Indians  than  the 
French  had  ever  employed  on  any  other  occasion,  he  pas- 
ifi]  ih*i  lake  and  regalarly  invested  the  fort.  The  wnole 
army  consisted  of  nearly  eight  thousand  men.  The  gar- 
rison consisted  of  about  three  thousand,  and  the  fortifica- 
tions were  ^id  to  be  good.  At  fort  Edward,  scarcely  four- 
teen miles  distant,  lay  general  Webb,  with  four  thousand 
troops.  The  regular  troops  at  the  two  posts,  were  proba- 
bly more  than  equal  to  the  regular  force  of  the  enemy.  A 
considerable  proportion  of  their  army  consisted  of  Canadi- 
ans and  Indians.  Yet,  in  about  six  days,  was  this  impor- 
tant post  delivered  up  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  All 
the  vessels,  boats,  and  batteaux,  which,  at  so  much  ex- 
pense and  labor,  had  been  for  iyro  years  preparing,  fell 
into  the  power  of  the  enemy.  Though  general  Webb  had 
timely  notice  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  yet  he  never 
sent  to  alarm  the  country,  and  bring  on  the  militia.  He 
never  reinforced  the  garrison,  nor  made  a  single  motion 
for  its  relief.  So  far  was  he  from  this,  that  he  sent  a  let- 
ter to  colonel  Monroe,  who  comqianded  the  fort,  advising 
him  to  give  it  up  to  the  enemy.*  Montcalm  intercepted 
''  Rider's  Hist,  vol.  'xlii,  p.  Pj  12  •  smd  Wright's  Hist,  of  war,  vol.  i.  p.  41^ 


1767. 


Colonel 
I'arkf  r  dr.- 
fpatetl. 


Fort  Will, 
ium 

tfeury  bp- 
!<ieged, 

Aug.  'M. 


Fort  Will- 
iam 
Ileiiry 
taken, 
Aug.  9th. 


t 


V- 


n82 


HISTORY  OK 


Chap.  XVIf. 


Part  of  the 

garrison 

murdered. 


The  coun- 
try alarm- 
ed.  . 


(lernian 
flats  di- 
stroyed. 


the  letter,  and  sent  it  into  the  fort  to  the  colonel.  He  har] 
acted  the  part  of  a  soldier  and  made  a  brave  defence ;  but 
having  burst  a  number  of  his  cannon,  expended  a  conxidor- 
ablc  part  of  his  ammunition,  and  perceiving  that  he  was  to 
have  no  relief  from  general  Webb,  he  capitulated  on  terms 
lionorable  for  himself  and  the  garrison.  It  was,  to  march 
out  with  arms,  baggage,  and  one  piece  of  cannon,  in  hon* 
or  to  colonel  Monroe,  for  the  brave  defence  he  had  made. 
The  troops  were  not  to  serve  against  the  most  christian 
king  under  eighteen  months,  unless  exchanged  for  an  equal 
number  of  French  prisoners.  The  French  and  Indians 
paid  no  regard  to  the  articles  of  capitulation,  but  falling 
on  the  En^ish,  stripped  them  of  their  baggage  and  few  re- 
maining effects ;  and  the  Indians,  in  the  English  service, 
were  dragged  from  the  ranks,  tomahawked  and  scalped. 
Men  and  women  had  their  throats  cut,  their  bodies  ripped 
open,  and  their  bowels,  with  insult,  thrown  in  their  faces. 
Infants  and  children  were  barbarously  taken  by  the  heeisi, 
and  their  brains  dashed  out  against  stones  and  trees.  The 
Indians  pursued  the  English  nearly  half  the  way  to  fort 
Edward,  where  the  greatest  number  of  them  arrived  in  a 
most  forlorn  condition.*  It  seems  astonishing,  that  bc- 
tAveen  two  and  three  thousand  troops,  with  arms  in  thei» 
hands,  should,  contrary  to  the  most  express  stipulations, 
suffer  these  intolerable  insults. 

When  it  was  too  late,  general  Webb  alarmed  the  coun- 
try, and  put  the  colonies  to  great,  expense  in  sending  on 
large  detachments  of  the  militia  for  the  defence  of  the  north- 
ern frontier.  The  sudden  capture  of  the  fort,  the  massa- 
cre made  by  the  enemy's  Indians,  and  suspicions  of  gene- 
ral Webb's  treachery,  and  an  apprehension  that  general 
Montcalm  would  force  his  way  to  Albany,  put  the  country 
into  a  state  of  great  alarm  and  consternation.  People  were 
never  more  alarmed  during  the  war.  At  the  same  time, 
there  was  never  a  more  general  and  manly  exertion.  Con< 
necticut  detached  and  sent  on,  in  a  few  days,  about  five 
thousand  men*  She  had  raised  and  sent  into  the  field,  four- 
teen hundred  before,  which  was  more  than  her  proportion. 
Large  reinforcements  were  marched  on  to  Albany  and  fort 
Edward  from  New- York,  and  the  other  colonies.  Gene- 
ral Webb,  notwithstanding  the  great  numbers  of  men  with 
which  he  was  reinforced,  did  not  make  any  effectual  pro- 
vision for  the  defence  of  the  frontier  settlements.  No 
sooner  was  one  expedition  finished  by  the  enemy,  than 
another  was  undertaicen.  Soon  after  the  reduction  of  fort 
William  Henry,  the  enemy,  with  fire  and  sword,  laid  waste 

♦  Rider's  Hist.  vol.  xlii.  p.  14.    Wright't  Hist.  vol.  i.  p,  41. 


Chap.  XVII. 


CONNECTirUT. 


:i81 


the  fine  settlcrarnfs  at  the  German  flats,  and  on  the  Mo-  Book  11. 
hawk  river.  Vi^-v^^i^ 

On  the  American  station  there  were  nearly  twei.ty  l76j. 
(housand  regular  troops,  and  a  large  numlior  of  provincials 
in  service  ;  and  yet  one  fortress  arxl  settlmrnt  after  an- 
other were  swept  away  ;  and  every  whore  the  rnemy  riot- 
ed and  triumphed  with  impunity.  The  army  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  the  campaign  in  inactivity.  The  provincials, 
as  the  season  for  winter  quarters  approached,  returned  to 
their  respeclive  colonies.  The  regular  troops  were  sta- 
tioned at  Albany  and  fort  Eklward.  Thus  ended  the  in- 
glorious campaign  of  1757. 

By  this  time,  under  the  repeated  losses  they  had  sustain-  xhe  ro!o- 
ed,  the  colonies  had  very  much  lost  their  confidence  in  the  nies  lose 
British  commanders  in  America.     They  for  two  years  had  **>*"■  *'?l*^' 
witnessed  their  dilatory  measures,  their  inconsistency,  want  British 
of  foresight  and  a  spirit  of  enterprise,  and  had  such  bit'  general*, 
tcr  experience  of  the  consequences,  that  they  considered 
them  as  utterly  disqualified  for  the  important  command 
which  they  held.    To  their  incapacity  and  pusillanimity 
whoUy,  did  they  impute  the  loss  of  Oswego,  fort  William 
Henry,  and  their  other  losses  on  the  frontiers. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  reinforcements  which  France 
had  sent  to  Canada,  they,  every  campaign,  had  a  force 
much  superior  to  the  enemy.  Had  they  been  men  of  mil- 
itary genius,  skill  and  enterprise,  instead  of  the  losses  they 
sustained,  they  might  have  led  on  their  troops  to  conquest 
and  glory.  Had  the  colonies  been  left  to  themselves,  they 
would  probably  have  done  better.  The  first  year  of  the 
war,  wnen  left  to  themselves,  their  achievements  were  hon- 
orable and  useful  to  the  nation :  but  now  they  had  sustain- 
ed two  years  of  great  expense,  which  had  been  worse  than 
lost.  Indeed,  such  were  the  ministry,  and  the  men  whom 
they  employed,  that  misfortune  and  disaster  attended  them 
in  almost  every  quarter  of  the  globe.*  A  British  historian 
observes,  with  respect  to  this  third  campaign  in  America, 
"That  it  ended  to  the  eternal  disgrace  of  those  who  then 
commanded  the  armies,  and  directed  the  councils  of  Great- 
Britain." 

*  There  was  oae  exception :  admiral  Watson  and  colonel  Clive  acted 
with  great  nagnaDimity  aod  success  upon  the  Ganges,  in  the  East-Indies. 


I- 


^04 

DOOK  II. 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAf.  XVUI.    ■  ChAp.  kvi 


1738. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


Chance  of  mm  and  meastirea, 
1 753.    Tht  colonies  encourag 


Plan  of  the  campaign  in 
aged  again  to  exert  themsehex. 
Extraordinary  exertions  of  ConnectictU.  Annamttit 
against  Louiaburg.  Its  siege  and  capture  6y  general  Am- 
herst, Army  under  general  Abercromhie*  Its  defeat  at 
Ticonderoga.  Frontenac  taken  by  colonel  Bradhtred, 
Expedition  against  du  Qiiesne — taken  by  general  Forbes. 
The  generates  death  at  Philadelphia,  •< 

BY  this  time,  the  dispute  relative  to  the  Ohio,  Crown 
Point,  and  territory  iii  America,  had  involved  a  great 
I'urt  of  Europe  in  the  flames  of  war.  It  had  kindled  in  both 
the  Indies,  and  extended  its  destructive  influence  beyond 
the  Ganges.  The  disappointments  and  Icfsses  of  the  Brit- 
ish nation  for  a  sutcessioh  of  years,  and  its  present  exigen- 
cies, absolutely  demanded  a  change  of  men  and  measures. 
Men  of  capacity  and  enterprise  were  necessary  to  retrieve 
its  honor,  and  prevent  its  ruin.  By  a  most  happy  turn  in 
providence,  those  incomparable  men,  Mr.  Pitt,  Mr."  Leg. 
and  their  friends,  had  been  chosen  and  established  in  the 
ministry,  and  had  time  to  concert  their  measures,  aiKJ 
choose  the  men  to  carry  them  into  execution.  No*^  there- 
ibre,  every  thing  relative  to  the  nation,  in  Europe  and  Ame- 
rica, took  a  new  and  surprising  turn.  Now  men  were 
brought  forwaix],  upon  "ivhose  fidelity,  skill,  and  Srptrit  of 
cntrrprise,  confidence  might  be  placed.  ;  r,  >t.';  ' 

Notwithstanding  the  disappointments  and  losses  of  the 
past  years,  they  detci*minea  on  the  reduction  of  Louls- 
burg,  with  a  view  of  cutting  oflf  the  communication  be- 
tween France  and  Canada,  of  destroying  the  French  fishc- 
i  y,  and  of  securing  the  trade  and  fisheries  of  Great-Bri- 
tain, and  her  colonies  in  America.  At  the  same  time,  to 
gratify  the  colonies  and  to  draw  forth  their  whole  strength 
into  exertion,  they  also  determined  on  expeditions  agaiiiijt 
Crown  Point  and  fortdu  Quesne. 

Intimations  of  his  majesty's  designs,  and  of  his  expec- 
tations from  the  colonies,  were,  at  an  early  period,  giv- 
en to  them  by  letters  from  the  right  honorable  Mr.  Pitt. 
These  were  written  in  a  style  which  animated  their  cour- 
uge,  and  drew  forth  their  most  spirited  exertions.  The 
people  of  Connecticut,  in  particular,  exerted  themselves  in 
an  extraordinary  manner. 

A  special  assembly  was  convened  on  the  8th  of  March, 


Chap,  ivill. 


CONNECTICUT. 


385 

at  Ncw-rtavcn,  when  the  right  honorable  Mr.  Pitt's  letter  Book  II. 
was  communicated  to  the  legislature,  importing,  that  his  s^-v^O 
majesty  had  nothing  more  at  heart  than  to  repair  the  loss-    1758, 
(s  antf  disappointments  of  the  last  inactive  and  unhappy  A  apccial 
campaign,  and  by  the  most  vigorous  and  extensive  efforts,  „" '",''!,y» 
to  avert,  by  the  blessing  of  God  upon  his  arms,  the  dan-  ,7"^ '  * 
gcrs  impending  over  North-America  *  and  not  doubting  j^,  ^crf*. 
but  his  faithful  and  brave  subjects  here  would  cheerfully  tary  Fitt** 
co-operate  with  and  second,  to  the  utmost,  the  large  ex-  letter. 
pense  ^nd   extraordinary  succours   supplied  by  his  king- 
dom, for  their  preservation  and  defence  :  And  that  his  ma- 
jesty, judging  that  this  colony,  together  with  Massachu- 
setts Bay,  New-Hampshire,  Rhode-IsJand,  New- York  and 
New- Jersey,  were  awe  to  furnish  20,000  men,  to  join  a 
body  of  the  king's  forces  for  invading  Canada,  and  carry- 
ing the  war  into  the  heart  of  the  enemy's  possessions  ;  and 
that  it  was  his  majesty's  pleasure,  that,  with  all  possible 
dispatch,  there  be  mised  as  large  a  body  of  men  as  the 
number  of  inhabitants  wouki  allow,  to  begin  the  opera- 
tions of  the  campaign,  as  soon  as  practicable.    And  that 
no  encourageiilent  might  be  wanting  to  so  great  and  salu- 
tary an  attempt,  that  strottg  recommendations  would  be 
made  to  parliament,  to  graht  compensation  for  the   ex- 
penses of  said  provinces,  according  as  their  active  vigor 
and  strenuous  efforts  should  appear  justly  to  merit. 

The  legislature  resolved,  That,  notwithstanding  thiSj^^j^j^^ 
colony,  when  acting  with  the  sever&l  provinces  aforesaid,  of  the'leg- 
in  the  three  several  expeditions  undertaken  the  preceding  islature. 
years,  against  Crown  Point,  hath  raised  a  much  greater 
number  of  men  than  its  just  proportion,  in  comparison  with 
What  they  then  raised,  by  means  of  which  the  number  of 
men  is  greatly  diminished  and  its  strength  much  exhausted, 
yet  that  nothing  be  Wanting,  on  the  part  of  this  colony,  toi 
promote  the  great  and  good  design  proposed  by  his  m  J'*s- 
ty,  and  relying  on  his  royal  encouragement,  5000  goci 
and  effective  men,  including  officers,  shall  be  raised  within 
this  colony,  as  soon  as  may  be,  for  the  service  aforesaid^ 
It  was  resolved  at  the  same  time,  that  the  assembly  is  sen- 
sible, that  it  is  really  more  than  the  number  of  men  this 
colony  can  allow,  without  great  difficulty  ;  and  much  ex- 
ceeds this  colony's  proportion,  even  of  twenty  thousand 
men,  when  compared  with  the  other  provinces. 

It  was  resolved  that  the  said  5000  men  should  be  formed 
into  four  regiments,  consisting  of  twelve  companies  in  each 
regiment.     That  there  should  be  one  colonel,  one  lieuten- 
ant colonel,  one   major  and  one  chaplain  to  a  regiment.  Qf^^en 
The  honorable  Phiuohas  Lyman,  Esq.  who  had  a  general's  appointtd. 

Y2 


1! 


J  I 


4iB4» 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XVI». 


ll(K)K  If.  comnnml  in  1755,  Nathan  Whiting,  I<>r|.  Eliphalet  Dyar, 

s^»-v-^  Ks(|.  and  John  Read,  Ksq.  were  appointed  colonels,  to 

1750.    command  the  respeclive  regiments.*     The  Rev.  Messrs. 

George  Beckwilh,  Joseph  V  ish,  Benjamin   Pomeroy  and 

Jonatlian  Ingersoll,  were  appointed  chaplains. 

To  encourage  the  speedy  enlistment  of  men  for  the  srr 
vice,  the  bounty  was  increased  much  beyond  what  it  had 
been  in  former  years.     All  proper  nwasurcs  were  adoptcci 
to  raise  the  troops  with  expedition,  and  to  have  thcra  sea- 
sonably in  the  field. 

To  provide  for  the  expense  of  such  a  number  of  troops, 
the  assembly  enacted  that  thirty  thousand  pounds  lawful 
money  in  bilU  of  credit,  at  five  per  cent  interest,  should 
be  immediately  printed  :  and  that  for  a  fund  for  the  sinking 
of  said  bills,  a  tax  of  eight  pence  on  the  pound  should  li*^ 
levied  on  the  grand  list  of  the  colony  to  be  brought  in, 
Anno  Domini,  1760.  It  was  provided,  however,  that  such 
monies  as  should  arrive  from  Great-Bri4ain  for  the  reim- 
bursement of  the  expenses  of  the  war,  should  be  applied, 
by  the  treasurer,  for  the  purpose  of  sinking  the  said  bills, 
and  that,  if  a  sufficient  sum  should  arrive  before  the  time 
fixed  for  the  payment  of  said  tax,  to  sink  the  whole,  that 
then  said  tax  should  not  be  levied,  and  that  the  act  res- 
pecting it  should  be  null  and  yoid.^ 

That  the  treasurer  might  be  able  to  pay  the  troops  on 
their  return  from  the  public  service,  tlie  assembly  laid  a 
tax  of  nine  pence  on  the  pound  on  the  whole  rateable  es- 
tate of  the  colony,  according  to  the  list  brought  in  to  the 
assembly  in  October  last,  and  ordered  that  it  should  be 
collected  by  the  last  of  December  then  following.  Anda>? 
it  was  uncertain  whether  money  would  anive,  sufficient 
to  reimburse  the  expenses  of  ihe  colony,  in  season,  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  borrow  the  sum  of  twenty-fivf 
thousand  pounds,  to  be  paid  before  the  20th  of  May,  1761. 
For  an  ample  fund  to  repay  the  sum  to  be  borrowed,  a  tax 
of  five  pence  on  the  pound  wias  levied  on  the  list  which 
i^hould  be  brought  in  to  the  assembly  in  1759,  to  be  paid 
into  the  treasury  by  the  Tast  of  December,  1760.  It  was 
(  nactcd  also,  that  any  of  the  notes  given  for  the  money 
borrowf  d,  might  be  received  in  payment  of  said  tax.  But, 
as  considerable  sums  of  money  were  expected  from  Eng- 
land, for  provisions,  furnished  for  the  troops  under  the 
command  of  lord  Loudon,  in  1756,  it  was  enacted  that 

*  Each  colonel  vtraa  allowed  forty  pounds  for  his  table,  and  the  decent 
support  of  his  chaplain.  Their  wages  as  colonels,  and  captains  for  one 
ronspany,  was  fifteen  pounds  per  month.  The  bounty  for  each  man  who 
would  equip  himself  for  the  field  was  fosr  pounds.  The  wages  wcra  (he 
same  as  in  the  preceding  years. 


CHAF.  XVIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


»aid  money,  as  fait  :i5  it  shoiild  arrive,  Hhoiild  }>e  applied 
10  discharge  the  notes  given  for  the  money  borrowed;  and 
that,  if  a  sufficient  sum  i^hould  seaHonably  arrive  to  dis- 
charge all  the  notes,  that  then  isaid  lax  should  not  he  col- 
lected. 

That  nothing  might  be  left  undone,  which  could  be  at- 
tempted for  his  majej^ty's  service,  the  coinmissiotiers  ap- 
pointed in  October,  to  meet  those  from  the  other  colonies, 
were  now  authorised  to  meet  them  at  li.irlford  on  the  l!)tli 
nf  April,  or  as  near  that  time  as  might  be,  to  consult  on 
measures  for  the  general  safety,  ancj  to  excite  the  seven! 
colonies  to  the  most  vigorous  and  united  exertions  to  carry 
his  majesty^s  designs  into  execution.*  As  it  appeared  by 
Mr.  Pitt*s  letter,  that  major  general  Abercroinbie  was  chief 
commander  of  the  troops  for  the  northern  expedition,  the 
governor  was  desired  to  give  him  the  earliest  information 
of  the  measures  adopted  dv  the  colonies,  and  their  vigor- 
ous preparations  for  an  early  and  successful  campaign. 

While  the  colonies  were  employing  the  most  vigorous 
exertions  for  an  early  campaign,  such  effectual  measures 
had  been  pursued  in  England,  that,  in  February,  the  arma- 
ment designed  for  the  reduction  of  Louisburg,  was  in  readi- 
ness, and  sailed  for  America.  Admiral  Boscawcn  com- 
manded the  navai,  and  general  Amherst  the  land  opera- 
tions* Under  general  Amherst,  was  brigadier  general 
Wolfe.  These  were  men  of  singular  characters.  General 
Amherst  had  the  coolness  and  abilities  of  the  Roman  Fabi- 
09,  while  general  Wolfe  possessed!  the  magnanimity  and 
fire  of  the  Scipios.  Front  such  men,  great  achievements 
might  reasonably  be  expected ;  and  their  successes  equal- 
led the  most  sanguine  expectations. 

Admiral  Boscawen  and  general  Amherst,  with  the  arma- 
ment under  their  command,  arrived  safely  in  America ;  and 
on  the  28th  of  May,  the  whole  fleet,  consisting  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty-seven  sail,  wHh  about  foiirteen  thousand 
troops  on  board,  took  its  departure  from  Halifax,  and  on 
the  second  of  June  appeared  before  Louisburg.  For  six 
days  the  landing^of  the  troops  was  impracticable.  The 
surf  was  so  great,  that  no  boat  could  live  near  the  shore. 
On  every  part  of  the  coast,  where  a  landing  was  judged 
possible,  tne  enemy  hs^d  made  entrenchments ;  and,  in 

£  laces  most  convenient  for  the  purpose,  they  had  erected 
atteries  and  mounted  cannon.     During  the  whole  time 
after  the  discovery  of  the  fleet,  until  the  landing  of  the 
troops,  the  enemy  employed  themselves  in  strengthening 
their  lines.   These  they  manned  with  a  numerous  infantry. 
*  Records  of  the  colony  for  March  8th,  1758. 


-in? 

DoOK  11. 

ITJO. 


Anna- 
riiuiit  tor 
the  reduc- 
tion of 
lioui^burg, 
mils  from 
England, 
Feb.  19th. 


Departs^ 
from  Hali- 
fax, May 
28th. 


June  2d, 
appears 
before 
Louisburs 


;  i'''   ill 


I    :il 


1   .  1  I ' ; 


SfiS 


HISTORY  UK 


CRAf.  XVIII.    ■  Tmap.  XVII 


m 


DooK  n.  Central  Amherst,  with  a  number  of  bin  oflficers,  rccounoi- 

v^'N^'^i'  Icrcd  the  shure. 
1768.        On  the  eijfhih,  the  weather  became  more  favounblr, 

Tim  iroop«  though  there  was  yet  u  great  swell  and  nurf.     The  j^cnerul, 

li»nd,  Juno  tlfiermininc  not  to  lose  a  moment,  seized  the  op|)(>rtiinity. 
Uefore  the  break  of  day,  the  ironps  were  endiarkt'd  in  ihrro 
divisions.  The  admiral  and  general  made  their  dii>|Hisiiion<« 
with  consummate  judgment.  To  disiiari  the  enemy,  ami 
draw  their  attention  to  diflferent  part.s  the  disnusitioiH 
were  made  in  this  manner :— The  divihions  on  the  right, 
and  in  the  centre,  were  designed  only  for  fein's?  whiU-  ibat 
on  the  left,  was  appointed  for  die  real  attack.  This  was 
commanded  by  general  Wolfe.  Before  th«'  landing;,  fivt 
i*rigntes,  and  some  other  ships  of  war,  coinmencj'd  a  furious 
fire,  not  only  on  the  centre,  but  on  the  right  and  left  of  ihc 
enemy,  to  I'alce  ihein  in  their  flanks.  When  these  had 
fned  about  fifteen  minutes,  general  Wolfe  pressed  to  the 
^hol•e.  The  enemy  reserved  his  fire  until  the  Iniats  were 
nearly  in  shore,  incl  then  poured  upon  them  the  united 
|)la/.c  and  thunder  of  their  musketry  and  cannon.  Many 
rtf  the  boats  were  overset,  and  others  dashed  in  pieces. 
Some  of  the  men  were  thro^vn,  and  others  leaped  into  ihc 
water ;  and  while  some  were  killed,  and  others  drowned, 
the  main  bwly,  supported  and  animated  by  the  noble  ex- 
amnlc  and  conduct  of  their  commander,  pushed  to  the  land, 
and  with  such  order  and  resolution  rushed  on  the  enemy, 
as  soon  put  them  into  confusion,  and  drove  ihcm  from 
their  entrenchments.  When  general  Wolfe  had  made  good 
his  landing,  the  centre  division  having  moved  to  the  left, 
and  the  right  following  the  centre,  the  landing  was  com- 
pleted in  excellent  order. 

For  many  days,  the  weather  was  so  bad,  a\\  the  swell 
and  surf  so  great,  that  scarcely  any  of  the  artillery  or  stores 
rould  be  landed.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  that  even 
the  tents,  provisions,  and  implements  for  the  siege,  were 
cot  on  shore.  The  weather  was  so  bad,  at  the  time  of  land- 
ing, and  during  the  siege,  that  a  hundred  boats  were  lost 
in  the  service.  The  enemy  had  five  ships  of  the  line,  and 
,f  one  or  more  frigates,  in  the  harbour,  and  could  bring  their 
guns  to  bear  upon  the  troops,  in  their  approaches.  The 
ground  was  exceeditiglv  bad ;  in  some  places  rough,  ia 
others  boggy,  wet,  and  miry.  These  obstacles,  with  a 
][)ravo  resistance  from  the  enemy,  caused  the  siege,  for 
i^omc  time,  to  proceed  slowly.  But  no  discouragements 
were  judged  insurmountable,  by  such  generals  as  Amhersl 
and  Wolfe.  By  the  twelftl^  of  June,  general  Wolfe  had 
ircurcd  the  point  called  the  light-house  battcj-y,  and  all 


fMAf.  XVIH. 


CONNECTICUT. 


Mt 


the  |M>HtH  in  ihal  nunrtrr.     On  ihc  iwrnt^-tifih,  he  had  »!•  Book  II* 
|( m ed  ihi-  itland  batttrv  ;  but  ihc  bhipftmK  iti thn  hnrlxiiir  x.^^v^^' 
kept  up  their  fire  uiion  him  until  the  iwrnty>fintt  of  July.    l7.jQ. 
Onr  of  thf  hhips  then  look  fur,  and  liiow  u|i.     Thi«  *vt 
iwu  other*  on  fire,  which  burnt  to  the  wutcr^ii  edge.     Thin 
wi',  to  the  enemy  an  irreparable  los». 

By  this  time,  general  Amherst  had  made  his  appronrheD 
nrar  to  the  city  ;  so  that  he  wan  in  gooil  foiivardncss  to 
make  lodgments  on  the  covered  way.  The  town,  in  many 
|ilaces,  was  consumed  to  the  ground,  and  in  others,  was 
much  damaged.  The  fire  of  the  enemy  greatly  lant;ui.shed, 
yet  no  proposals  of  capitulation  were  made.  One  bold 
action  more  was  necessary  to  bring  them  to  terms.  That 
was,  to  destroy,  or  bring  ofT,  the  ships  remoining  in  the 
harbour.  For  this  nurpose,  the  admiral  sent  in  a  detach- 
incnt  of  six  huiulreu  men,  under  the  command  of  two  en- 
terprising young  captains,  Laforey  and  Balfour.  Between 
ibc  35th  and  36th  of  the  month,  under  the  darkness  of  the 
night,  they  made  their  way  through  a  terrible  fire  of  ran- 
non  and  musketry,  and,  sword  in  hand,  look  the  two  ships. 
One  ran  aground,  and  was  burnt ;  tho  other  they  rowed 
out  of  the  harbour,  in  triumph. 

The  next  morning,  the  governor  proposed  terms  of  ca-  Loui^hun; 
pitulation.     The  garrison,  consisting  oi  five  thousand  sev-  taken.  Ju^ 
en  hundred  and  thirty-seven  men,  surrendered  prisoners  'y  '^^"• 
of  war.     One  hundred  and  twenty-oqc  cannon,  eighteen 
mortars,  and  large  quantities  of  stores  and  ammunition, 
were  taken*     The  enemy  lost  five  ships  of  the  line  and 
four  frigates,  besides  other  vessels.    St.  John^s,  with  Lou- 
isburg,  was  given  upi  and  the  English  became  masters  of 
the  whole  coast  from  St.  Lawrence  to  Nova-Scotia.*    This 
was  the  most  eifcptual  blow  to  France,  which  she  had  re- 
ceived since  the  commencement  of  the  >var.     It  was  a  deep 
wound  to  her  navy,  and  especially  to  her  colonies  and  in- 
terests in  America.     It  very  mucn  cut  otf  her  communira- 
tion  with  Canada,  and  greatly  facilitated  the  reduction  ot 
that  country. 

As  the  reduction  of  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  was 
a  favorite  object  with  the  northern  colonies,  they  made 
earl;^  and  great  exertions  for  carrying  it  into  effectual  ex- 
ecution. Besides  the  assistance  which  they  (rave  to  the 
reduction  of  Louisburg,  they  furnished  about  ten  thousand 
troops  for  the  northern  expedition.  These,  in  conjuiiction 
with  between  six  and  seven  thousand  regular  troops,  had, 

•  Rider'i  HUt.  to).  ^ liii.  p.  127, 136.  Wrisbt**  Hist.  vcl.  i.  p.  95,  103. 
General  Amhertt*!  jouraal  of  the  siege  of  (jouisburg,  and  articles  of  capitu- 
lation.   At  St.  Jobn^s,  4100  inbi^tanta  aubmitted  and  broDg;ht  ia  tl^i^ 


i 


^'-'H 


.::l'l 


''I 


arms 


390 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XVlll. 


The  north- 
ero  army 
enibarkfor 
Ticonde- 


liOrd 

Ijowe  kil- 
led, July 

0(b. 


July  7th. 


by  the  beginning  of  Jqly,  got  into  lake  George  more  than  a 
thousand  DC.  *  IS  ar  i  batteaux,  a  fine  train  of  artillery,  pro- 
visions, and  every  thing  necessary  for  an  attack  on  the 
fortresses  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  fifth  of  July,  the  army,  consisting  of  fifteen  thou- 
sand three  hundred  and  ninety  efiective  men,  embarked  in 
nine  hundred  batteaux,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-five 
whale   boats,   for  Ticonderoga.     Besides,  there  were  a 
number  of  rafts,  on  which  cannon  were  mounted,  to  cover 
the  landing  of  the  troops.     Early  the  next  morning,  they 
landed  at  the  north  end  of  lake  George,  without  opposition. 
The  army  formed  in  four  columns,  and  began  their  march 
for  Ticonderoga.     But  as  the  woods  were  thick,  and  the 
guides  unskilful,  the  troops  were  bewildered,  and  the  col- 
umns falling  in  one  upon  another,  were  entirely  broken. 
In  this  confusion,  lord  Howe,  advancing  at  the  head  of  the 
right  centre  column,  fell  in  with  the  '  Vanced  guard  of  the 
enemy,  consisting  of  a  battalion  oi  regulars  and  a  few  In- 
dians, who  had  deserted  their  advanced  camp  near  the  lake, 
and  were  precipitately  fleeing  from  our  troops ;  but  had 
lost  their  way,  and  were  bewildered  in  the  same  manner 
as  they  were.     The  enemy  discharged,  and  killed  lord 
Howe  the  first  fire*     The  suddenness  of  the  attack,  the 
terribleness  of  the  Indian  yell,  and  the  fall  of  lord  Howe, 
threw  the  regulars,  who  composed  the  centre  columns,  into 
a  general  panic  and  confusion  ;  but  the  provincials,  who 
flanked  them,  and  were  more  acquainted  with  their  mode  ot 
fighting,  stood  their  ground  and  soon  defeated  them.    The 
loss  of  the  enemy,  was  about  three  hundred  killed,  and  one 
hundred  and  forty-eight  taken.    The  loss  of  the  Engliish 
was  inconsiderable  as  to  numbers,   but  in  worth  and  con- 
sequences, it  was  great.     The  loss  of  that  gallant  officer, 
lord  Howe,  was  irreparable.     From  the  day  of  his  arrival 
in  America,  he  had  conformed  himself,  and  made  his  regi- 
ment to  conform,  to  that  kind  of  service  which  the  country 
required.     He  was  the  first  to  endure  hunger  and  fatigue, 
to  encounter  danger,  and  to  sacrifice  all  personal  conside- 
rations to  the  public  service.     While  he  was  rigid  in  dis- 
cipline, by  his  affability,  condescending  and  easy  manners, 
he  conciliated  affection,  and  commanded  universal  esteem. 
Indeed,  he  was  considered  very  much  as  the  idol  and  life 
of  the  arm^'.     The  loss  of  such  a  man,  at  such  a  time,  can- 
not be  estnnatcd.     To  this,   the  provincials  attributed  the 
defeat  and  unhappy  consequences  which  followed. 

As  the  troops  tor  two  nights  had  slept  Uttle,  were  greatly 
fatigued,  and  needed  refreshment,  the  generaJ  ordered 
ihcm  to  return  to  the  landing  place,  where  they  arrived  u. 


time  m  att 


Gkap.  XVIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


391 


eight  in  the  momiog.  Colonel  Bradstrcet  was  $oon  after  Book  H. 
detached  with  a  strong  corps,  to  take  possession  of  the  daw  v^-^v^^ 
mill,  about  two  miles  from  Ticonderoga,  which  the  enemy 
bad  abandoned.  Towards  the  close  of  the  day,  the  whole 
army  marched  to  the  mill.  Theeencral  having  received 
information,  that  the  garrison  at  Ticonderoga  consisted  of 
about  six  thousand  men,  and  that  a  reinforcement  of  three 
thousand  more  was  daily  expected,  detennined  to  lose  no 
time  in  attacking  their  fines.  He  ordered  his  engineer  to 
reconnoitre  the  giound  and  intrcnchments  of  the  enemy. 
It  seems  that  he  had  not  so  approached  and  examined 
them  as  to  obtain  any  proper  idea  of  them.  He  made  a 
favorable  report  of  their  weakness,  and  of  the  facility  of 
forcing  them  without  cannon.  On  tMs  groundless  report^ 
a  rash  and  fatal  resolution  was  taken,  to  attack  the  lines 
without  bringing  up  the  artillery. 

The  army  advanced  to  the  charge  with  the  greatest  intre- 
pidity, and  for  more  than  four  hours  with  incredible  obstina-  Defeat  at 
cy  maintained  the  attack.    But  the  works  where  the  princip-  ^'^""j^L 
al  attack  Was  made  were  eight  or  nine  feet  high,  and  impreg-  gth*' 
nable  even  by  field  pieces  ;  ^nd  for  nearly  an  hundred 
yards  from  the  breast  work,  trees  were  felled  so  thick,  and 
so  wrought  together  with   their  limbs  pointing  outward, 
that  h  rendered  the  approach  of  the  troops  in  a  great  mea- 
sure impossible.     In  this  dreadful  situation,  under  the  fire 
of  about  three  thousand  of  the  enemy,  these  gallant  troops 
were  kept,  without  the  least  prospect  of  success,  until  near- 
ly two  thousand  were  killed  and  wounded.*      They  were 
then  called  off.     To  this  rash  and  precipitate  attack  sue- .  ,   „ . 
ceeded  a  retreat  equally  unadvised  and  precipitate.!     By  "  ^ 
the  evening  of  the  next  day  the  army  had  retreated  to  their 
former  encampment  at  the  south  end  of  lake  George. 

Nothing  could  have  been  more  contrary  to  the  opinions, 
or  more  mortifying  to  the  feelings  of  the  provincials,  than 
this  whole  affair.  They  viewed  the  attack  upon  the  lines 
without  the  artillery  as  the  height  of  madness.  Besides, 
it  was  made  under  every  disadvantage  to  the  assailants. 
The  enemy's  lines  were  of  great  extent,  nearly  three  quar- 
ters of  a  mile.  On  the  right  of  the  common  path  towards 
south  bay,  and  especially  on  the  north,  they  were  weak 
and  of  little  consideration.  In  both  these  quarters  they 
might  have  been  approached  under  the  cover  of  a  thick 

*0f  the  regulars  were  kilkd  464;  of  the  provincials  87:  in  the  whole 
548.  Of  the  regulars  were  wounded  1,1 17  ;  of  the  provincial';  239 :  in  the 
whole  1,356.  There  were  missing  29  regulars  and  8  provincials.  The 
whole  ln»  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  was  1,941.  General  Aber- 
crnmbie'g  return. 

t  Wright's  Historv,  vol,  5,  p.  109,  113.     Rider's,  vol.  xliii,  p.  136,  141 . 


ii'ifiiM 


■'.    i'l;' 


392 


iilSTORY  OF 


tiiAP.  xviii.  I  C"*'-^' 


Book  II.  wuoJ.     Tjie  army  was  sufficientl^r  numerous  to  have  at 
s>tr>r>^  tacked  the  lines  in  their  whole  extent  once,  or  at  least  in 
1766.    a  very  great  part  of  them,  and  to  have  drawn  their  atten- 
tion to  various  parts  of  their  lines.    But,  unhappily,  the  at 
tack  was  made  upon  a  small  part  of  them  where  they  wcrr 
far  the  strongest,  and  most  inaccessible.     As  no  attacks  or 
feints  were  made  in  other  parts,  the  enemy  were  left  to 
pour  their  whole  fire  on  a  small  spot,  while  the  whole  army 
could  not  approach  it.      Besides,  the  general  never  ap 
proached  the  field,  where  his  presence  was  indispensably 
necessary  ;  but  remained  at  the  mill,  where  he  could  scr 
nothing  of  the  action,  nor  know  any  thing  only  by  informa- 
tion at  a  distance  of  tWo  miles.     By  reason  of  this,  the 
troops  fof  hours  after  they  should  have  been  called  oftj 
were  pushed  on  to  inevitable  slaughter. 

But  especially  did  the  provincials  reprobate  the  retreat. 
M  br"cd  '^^^y  considered  themselves  as  more  than  a  match  for  the 
enemy,  should  their  pretended  reinforcements  arrive.  The 
army,  after  thift  bloody  aflkir,  consisted  of  about  fourteen 
thousand  effective  nien.  After  all  the  pompous  accounts 
of  the  numbers  of  the  enemy,  they  amounted  to  little  more 
than  three  thousand.  When  the  general  retreated,  he  had 
rhore  than  four  effective  men  to  one  of  theirs.  He  had  a 
fine  train  of  artillery,  and  there  were  strong  grounds  on 
which  he  might  have  encamped  with  the  utmost  safety. 
There  were  eminences  which  coinmanded  all  the  works  of 
the  enemy,  whence  he  might  have  enfiladed  their  front, 
and  poured  destruction  on  their  whole  lines  and  camp. 

The  provincial  officers  were  therefore  clearly  of  the  opin- 
ion, that  there  was  the  fairest  prospect  of  success,  notwith- 
.<tanding  their  misfortune,  could   the  expedition  only  be 
prosecuted  with  energy  and  prudence.     But  the  general 
took  his  own  way,  Without  advising  With  them,  and  appear- 
ed to  retreat  With  the  iitniost  perturbation. 
I'.ills  into       1 '^^  general  never  had  been  high  in  the  estimation  of 
toiittiupf.  the  provincials  after  the  loss  of  Oswego;  but  now  he  sunk 
into  contempt.     They  generally  called  him  Mrs.  Nabby- 
crorhbie,  importing  that  petticoats  would  much  better  bc- 
comfe  him  than  breeches.*     To  repair  as  far  as  might  be, 
the  disaster  at  Ticondcroga,  the  general  detatched  colonel 
Bradstrcef,  with  three  thousand  provincials,  on  an  expedi- 
tion against  fort  Frontenac.    It  was  planned  by  the  colonel, 
and  hndcriukeii  at  his  desire.     Notwithstanding  the  great 
distance  of  this  post  from  Lake  George,  and  the  numerous 
Fori  Fron-  obstacles  iti  lus  march,  he  reached  lake  Ontario,  embarked 
frniic  irtk-  his  troops,  and  landed  them  in  the  short  term  of  about  a 
ti),Aiig.27.  month,  within  one  mile  of  the  enemy's  post.     Having  se- 


Chap.  XVIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


393 


cured  his  landing,  he  immcdintely  invested  the  fort.      The  Book  IF. 
enemy  mudc  no  opposition,  but,  after  two  days,  surrendered  s^'v'^i/ 
ihemselves  pris->    "^  of  war.     This  important  post  was  on    1 7i>8. 
the  north  side  o      ic  river  St.  Ijawrence,  just  where  it  takes  Fort  Froo- 
its  rise  from  lalv    t  >ntario.     The  fort  not  only  commanded  {^^11**^^**' 
the  entrance  of  the  river  from  the  lake,  but  was  the  grand  -iiili. 
magazine  for  supplying  Niagara,  du  Quesne,  and  all  the  en- 
emy's  southern  and  western  garrisons.     But  as  no  attack 
had  been  expected  in  this  quarter,  and  the  enemy  had 
been  drawn  off,  for  the  defence  of  Ticonderoga,  and  their 
southern  posts,  the   garrison  consisted  only  of  one  hun- 
dred and  tnirty  nen.     But  there  were  in  the  fort  sixty  can- 
non, sixteen  small  mortars,  and  an  immense  quantity  of  ^',[J.'||" 
provisions  and  goods.     They  were  valued  by  the  French 
at  eight   hundred   thousand  livres;     Nine  armed  vessels, 
Irom  eight  to  eighteen  guns  were  taken.     This  was  the 
whole  naval  force  which  the  enemy  had  on  the  lake.     After 
this  enterprising  officer  had  destroyed  the  fort,  stores,  pro- 
visions and  shipping,  except  two  vessels,  and  what  he 
could  carry  on  board  of  them,  he  returned  with  them,  richly 
laden,  to  Oswego. 

This  fortunate  event,  with  the  attempt  on  Ticonderoga, 
was  attended  with  very  important  consequences.  It  frus- 
trated the  expedition  of  Monsieur  Levi  against  the  settle- 
ments on  the  Mohawk  river,  recovered  the  communication 
between  Albany  arid  Oswego ;  and  once  more  gave  us  the 
command  of  lake  Ontario.  It  greatly  obstructed  the  com- 
munication between  Canada,  Niagara,  and  their  sdutheril 
and  western  settlements;* 

General  Amherst,  having  placed  a  strong  garrison  at 
Louisburg,  and  having  made  the  dispositions  necessary 
for  the  security  of  the  adjacent  country,  proceeded  to 
Boston,  with  six  regiments j  and  thence  marched  through 
the  country,  to  reinforce  the  army  at  lake  George.  He 
designed,  if  the  season  should  not  be  too  Tar  advanced,  to 
achieve  something  further  for  the  service  of  his  country. 

While  these  events  were  taking  place  in  the  northern  de-  ^^""*,' 
partnient,  general  Forbes,  who  had  been  appointed  io^^i^^^^' 
command  the  expedition  to  the  southward,  was  advanchig, 
with  great  activity  and  labour,  to  the  conquest  of  fort  du 
Quesne.  About  eight  thousand  men  had  been  assigned  to 
this  service*  In  June,  the  general  marched  from  Phila- 
delphia for  the  Ohio.  His  march  lay  through  a  vast  tract 
of  country  but  little  known,  destitute  of  roads  for  the  march- 
ing of  armies,  and  incumbered  with  wood,  morasses  and 


1 1 


:'h^  ■'•' 


*  Bradstreet's  lett^  to  general  Amhettt. 
vo].  i.  p.  1^4,  135. 

Z3 


Wright^s  Hilt,  of  the  War, 


.'C 


,'J4 


HISTOKY  OF 


Chap.  X\  lif. 


I'ort  du 
(iiiesne  <a- 
kcii,  Nov. 


rununl.tins  dlrriosl  impassable.  It  was  with  incredible  «lir. 
ficulty  iliat  he  procured  provisions  and  carriages  for  tlm 
expedition;  that  he  formed  new  roads,  extended  scoui- 
iiii^  parties,  secured  his  camp,  from  time  to  time,  and  sur- 
mounted the  numerous  obstructions  which  presented  them- 
selves in  his  tedious  m^rch.  In  addition  to  his  other  ditii 
culties,  which  impeded  his  march,  the  hostile  Indians  icept 
a  coiisiaiit  watch  upon  all  his  movements,  and,  in  small 
ilelachments,  neglected  no  opportunity  to  obstruct  ami 
harass  him  as  he  advanced. 

When  lie  had  arrived  at  Ray^s  town,  about  ninety  miles 
from  (lu  Qiiesno,  he  sent  forward  colonel  Bouquet,  with  a 
•  lelachment  of  a  thousand  men,  to  LfVal  Henning,  within 
about  forly  miles  of  the  fort.  The  colonel,  from  this  post, 
detached  major  Grant,  with  eight  hundred  men,  to  recon- 
noitre the  situation  and  works  of  the  enemy;  and,  if  practi- 
cable, to  reduce  the  post  by  a  coup  de  main.  The  ene- 
my tlisrovcrcd  them  os  they  approached,  and  detached  a 
body  ol  troops  sulHcient  completely  to  surround  them.  A 
>>c\'vrc  action  ens\ied,  which,  for  three  hours,  the  English, 
witli  crcat  spirit  maintained  against  so  great  a  superiority. 
IJul  filial ly,  they  were  overpowered,  obliged  to  give  way, 
:ind  retreated  with  disorder  to  Lyal  Het>ning.  About  three 
hundred  men  were  killed  and  taken.  Among  the  lattei 
was  major  Grant,  and  nineteen  other  officers,  who  were 
carried  prisoners  to  fort  du  Quesne.  This  severe  check 
made  no  alteration  in  the  resolution  of  general  Forbe-;. 
He  still  advanced,  v^ith  that  persevering  firmness  and  cir- 
<  iitnspoction,  which  had  marked  his  whole  conduct.  Tht^ 
enemy,  perceiving  that  it  was  impossible  ta  surprise  am! 
defeat  him  on  his  march,  and  that  their  numbers  were  nor 
sufficient  to  maintain  the  post  against  him,  on  the  twenty- 
fourth  of  November,  destroyed  their  works  and  abandoned 
the  post  to  the  general.  His  light  troops  took  possessicwr 
the  following  evening.  The  next  day,  the  general  arrived 
with  his  whole  array,  and  the  British  flag  was  once  more 
erected  at  fort  du  Quesne.  The  French  made  their  escape 
down  the  river,  partly  in  boats  and  pa.*tiy  by  land,  to  their 
settlements  orj  the  Mississippi. 

General  Forbes  repaired  the  fort  and  named  it  Fort 
Pitt,  in  honor  to  secretary  Pitt.  Having  concluded  trea- 
ties of  friendship  and  alliance  with  the  Indian^  nations  ot 
that  line  and  extensive  country,  and  apparently  reconciled 
them  tollie  English  government,  he  committed  the  care  oi 
the  fort  to  a  garrison  of  provincials,  and  took  his  depar- 
ture for  Philadelphia.    On  his  return,  he  erected  somr 


Chap.  XVIH. 


CONNECTICUT. 


S9i 


small  fortresses  at  l^\u\  Honning,  for  the  defence  of  the  I3ook  II. 
western  frontiers  of  Pennsylvania.*  v-^-v'v^ 

The  incretliblc   fati^jues   of  this  campaij^n  hO  brv-)kc  the    it;,:;. 
«onstitution  of  this    vigilant  and  brave   coinni.itult  i-,  thut 
he  returned  to   Philadelphia  in  a   very  t- iiteebled  state  ; 
where,  after  languishing  a  short  time,  he  died,  universally 
lamented. 

When  general  Amherst  arrived  with  his  troops  at  the 
lake,  the  season  was  so  far  advanced,  and  such  a  body  of 
troops  had  been  drawn  off,  for  the  expedition  under  colo- 
nel Bradstreet,  that  he  judged  it  unadvisablc  to  make  any 
further  attempts  against  thti  enemy  during  that  campaign. 

Notwithstanding  the  defeat  at  Ticonderoga,  the  cam- 
paign closed  with  great  honour  and  advantage,  not  only  lo 
the  colonies,  but  to  the  nation  in  general.  In  this  fourth 
year  after  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  the  English 
had  not  only  reduced  Louisburg,  St,  John's,  and  Fronte- 
itac ;  but  had  made  themselves  the  undisturbed  possessors 
of  that  fine  tract  of  country,  the  contention  for  which  had 
kindled  the  flames  of  war  in  so  general  and  destructive 
a  manner.  Success  had  attended  the  British  arms,  not 
only  in  America,  but  in  altnosl  every  quarter  of  the  globe. 
The  successes  in  America,  besides  maijy  other  important 
advantages,  paved  the  way  for  that  series  of  successful 
events,  which  terminated  in  the  entire  reduction  of  Canada. 

Another  favourable  occurrence  of  this  year,  which  had  Treaty- 
its  influence  in  that  weat  event,  was  a  general  treaty  and  I^'*!*  ^^® 
pacification  with  afl  the  Indian  nations,  inhabiting  be-  Q^•^,  gth. 
tween  the  Appalachian  mountains  and  the  lakes*     This 
was  completed  at  Easton,  on  the  eighth  of  October. 

In  review  of  the  events  of  the  present  ^nd  past  years  of 
the  war,  the  immense  importance  of  having  men  of  capa- 
city, fidelity,  and  enterprise,  at  the  head  of  government, 
appears  ip  a  convincing  and  striking  point  Oi' light.  Un- 
der the  old  ministry  and  their  generals,  for  three  success 
sivc  years,  nothing  but  loss,  disappointment,  and  shatno, 
attended  every  enterprise.  Not  one  general  officer,  of  their 
appointment,  in  America,  ever  achieved  any  thing  mag- 
nanimous and  honourable ;  but  hesitation,  delay,  and  dis- 
appointment, attended  all  their  measures.  On  the  contra- 
ry, under  the  new  ministry,  and  the  generals  and  officers 
originally  of  their  appointment,  every  enterprise  was 
crowned  with  success.  A  series  of  most  important  and 
brilliant  successes,  from  every  quarter,  like  a  steady,  all 
cheering  stream,  flowed  in  upon  the  nation. 

^Rider's  Hi»t.  vol.  xliii.  p.  143,  145.   Wrighl'o  IJist.  vol.i.  ji.  1^5, 126. 


....;:■(  ■;«..j| 


1759. 


HISTORY  OF 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


Chap.  XlX. 


Plan  of  the  eampaitrn  in  1 759.  Mr.  Secretary  Pittas  letter, 
Trancactions  of  the  legislature  of  Connecticut^  relative  to 
the  war.  Expeditions  against  Ticonderoga  and  Crown 
Point,  Magara  and  Quebec,  Ticonderoga  and  Croion 
Point  abandoned,  Niagara  taken.  Siege  of  Quebec.  Ac- 
tion at  the  falls  of  Montmorenci,  The  camp  removed  to 
Point  L  'vi.  The  troops  land  above  the  toivn.  Battle  of 
Quebec,  Generals  Wolfe  and  Montcalm  killed,  Quebec 
surrenders.  Movements  of  general  Amherst  on  lake  Cham- 
plain, 


T 


iD  1759. 


IHE  successes  of  the  last  campaign  had  released  the 
sea  coasts  and  frontiers  of  the  colonies  from  all  an- 
noyance from  the  enemy,  and  opened  the  way  into  the 
heart  of  Canada.  The  iDclligerent  powers,  in  Europe, 
maintained  the  same  hostile  dispositions  which  operated 
Plan  of  the  last  year.  The  British  ministry,  therefore,  determined 
?i'"'TRo  °'  ^^  improve  the  advantages  which  they  had  gained  in  Ame- 
rica ;  and,  if  possible,  the  next  campaign,  to  conquer  the 
whole  country  of  Canada.  For  this  purpose,  it  was  de- 
termined to  attack  all  the  strong  holds  of  the  enemy  nearly 
at  the  same  time.  As  soon  as  the  river  St.  Lawrence 
should  be  cleared  of  ice,  it  was  designed,  that  general 
Wolfe,  who  had  so  distinguished  himself  at  the  reduction 
of  Louisburg,  should,  with  eight  thousand  men,  and  a  strong 
squadron  of  ships,  proceed  to  the  siege  of  Quebec,  the 
capital  of  Canada.  At  the  same  time,  it  was  intended 
that  general  Amherst,  who  had  the  chief  command,  with  an 
army  of  twelve  thousand  regulars  and  provincials,  should 
make  an  attack  on  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point.  Hav- 
ing reduced  these  posts,  and  having  built  a  sufficient  naval 
force  on  lake  Champlain,  he  was  to  advance  by  the  river 
Sorel  into  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  form  a  junction  with  gene- 
ral Wolfe  at  Quebec.  A  third  expedition  was  to  be  di- 
rected against  Niagara,  under  the  command  of  brigadier 
general  Prideaux.  Sir  William  Johnson  was  appointed 
to  command  the  New- York  provincials,  and  the  Indians  of 
the  five  nations,  to  be  employed  in  this  expedition.  By 
so  many  different  attacks,  it  was  designed,  as  far  as  pos- 
sible, to  divide  and  distract  the  enemy,  and  to  prevent 
their  making  an  effectual  defence  at  any  place.  It  was 
hoped,  if  general  Prideaux  should  be  so  fortunate  as  to 
ipake  himself  master  of  Niagara,  at  an  early  period,  thnt^ 


Chap.  XIX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


,•597 


he  would  embark  on  lake  Ontario,  and,  falling  down  the  Boor  II. 
river  St.  Lawrence,  would  reduce  the  town  of  Montreal.  Si^^v^ 
It  was  then  hoped,  that  the  three  armies,  forming  a  June*    1759. 
lion,  would  complete  the  conauest  of  the  whole  country. 

To  facilitate  these  grand  ana  extensive  operations,  colo- 
nel Stanwix  had  the  command  of  a  small  aetnchment,  for 
the  reduction  of  small  posts,  and  for  securing  the  banks  of 
lake  Ontario. 

The  designs  of  the  ministry  were  communicated  to  the 
colonies  at  an  early  period,  that  they  might  have  time  to 
prepare  themselves  for  the  opening  of  the  campaign,  as 
.coon  as  the  season  would  permit;  and  that  it  was  his  ma- 
jesty's pleasure  that  they  should  furnish  the  respective 
quotas  required  the  last  year. 

With  a  view  to  answer  his  majesty's  requisitions,  gover-  General 
nor  Fitch  convoked  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  ^^"^^^,^1^ 
at  Hartford,  on  the  8th  of  March ;  and  communicated  a  let-  ford, 
ler  from  the  right  honourable  William  Pitt,  bearing  date  March 
December  9th,  1 758,  making  a  requisition  of  20,000  men  ^***- 
from  the  several  governments  then  named,  and  as  many 
more  as  the  inhabitants  would  permit.     The  letter  import-  Secretary 
ed.  that  his  majesty's  designs  were  the  same  as  the  last  ^^^^^^  '^*" 
year; — to  remove  all  enemies  and  encroachments  on  the 
colonies,  and  to  carry  the  war  into  the  heart  of  Canada. 
The  same  encouragements  were  given  to  the  colonies,  as  in 
Ills  letter  of  the  preceding  year.     The  successes  of  the  last 
campaign  were  noticed,  and  his  majesty's  determination, 
by  the  blessing  of  God,  to  repair  the  disappointment  at 
Ticonderoga,  was  expressed. 

The  assembly  found  themselves  embarrassed,  and  ima-  ConnccU- 
gined  they  were  unable  to  raise  so  great  a  number  of  men  *^"*  *^*'" 
as  was  required,  after  all  the  exertions  they  had  made,  ^g  double 
and  losses  they  had  sustained,  in  the  preceding  years ;  in  propor- 
vvhich  they  had  done  more  than  double,  nearly  three  times  *'°°* 
their  proportion,  when  compared  with  some  of  the  other 
colonies.     In  1 755,  Connecticut  furnished  a  thousand  men 
at  the  commencement  of  the  campaign,  and  after  the  battle 
at  lake  George,  they  raised  and  sent  into  the  field,  two 
thousand  more,  to  reinforce  the  army.     In  1 756,  the  colo- 
ny raised  two  thousand  five  hundred  men.     This  was  dou- 
ble the  number  required  by  his  majesty's  commander  in 
chief,  for  the  service  of  that  year.     The  legislature  were 
induced  to  exert  themselves  in  this  duplicate  proportion, 
from  an  apprehension  that  the  southern  colonies  would 
fail  of  their  proportions,  and  lest  the  service  should  suffer^ 
In  1 737,  the  colony  not  only  raised  fourteen  hundred  men, 
the  full  number  required  by  the  commander  in  chief,  but, 


'■->.'''Z 


f-  .:    m"^' 


.^9& 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XIX.    I  Ihap.  Xi: 


Book  IF.  on  the  capture  of  fort  Willinm  Henry,  which  put  the  coun- 
^,^•^/-^/  try  into  a  state  of  great  alarm  and  consternation,  it  dolarh- 
1 759.  t'd  and  sent  forward,  with  great  dispatch,  about  five  thou- 
sand of  the  militia,  for  the  defence  of  the  frontiers;  so  thai 
they  had,  in  the  whole,  more  than  six  thousand  men  in 
actual  service.*  In  the  preceding  year,  flattering  iisoll 
that  it  would  be  the  finishing  year  of  the  war,  especially  in 
America,  it  exerted  itself,  considering  its  expense,  losses, 
and  diminution  of  men,  even  beyond  its  formar  example, 
and  had  about  five  thousand  troops  in  actual  service,  du- 
ring  the  campaign.  The  inhabitants  had  paid  two  taxc:t 
the  preceding  year,  one  of  ninepence  on  the  pound.  At  a 
special  assembly  in  February,  the  preceding  month,  thry 
had  found  it  necessary,  in  order  to  discharge  the  expenses 
which  had  been  already  incurred,  and  to  meet  future  con- 
tingencies, immediately  to  emit  twenty  thousand  pounds 
lawful  money,  in  bills  at  five  per  cent ;  and,  as  a  fund  to 
sink  them,  they  had  ordered  a  tax  of  fivepence  on  tlu; 
pound  on  the  grand  list,  in  addition  to  all  the  other  taxes 
already  laid.  The  employment  of  such  a  number  of  men 
in  public  service,  greatly  diminished  the  labour  and  re- 
sources of  the  colony.  Besides,  the  polls  of  the  soldiers 
were,  for  their  encouragement,  excluded  from  the  grand 
list,  which  served  further  to  increase  the  burthens  of  the 
people.  The  assembly,  therefore,  could  not,  at  first,  con- 
ceive that  the  colony  was  able,  or  that  it  was  its  duty,  to 
raise  so  great  a  number  of  men,  beyond  its  just  proportion. 
Resolu-  It  was  therefore  resolved.  That  the  number  of  men  raised 
iTsfi'mhi!!^*  the  last  year,  was  greater  than  the  colony  could  conven- 
»8s  m  .  igntly  furnish :  that  .-nany  had  died,  and  others  had  been 
disabled,  and  rendered  unfit  for  service,  in  the  last  cam- 
paign :  that  numbers  had  enlisted  as  recruits,  into  his  ma- 
jesty's regiments  :  and  that  others  were  employed  in  the 
battcaux  and  carrying  service : — by  all  which  means,  the 
numbers  of  the  colony  were  diminished.  Yet,  tKat  the  sa- 
lutary designs  of  his  majesty  might,  as  far  as  possible,  be 
answered,  it  was  resolved,  firmly  relying  on  his  majesty's 
royal  and  most  gracious  encouragement,  that  three  thou- 
sand and  six  hundred  men  should  be  raised  within  this 
colony,  consisting  of  four  regiments,  of  ten  companies  in 
each.  Maj(h'  general  Phinehas  Lyman  was  appointed 
colonel  of  the  first  regiment ;  Nathan  Whiting,  of  the  se- 
cond; David  VVooster,  of  the  third;  and  Eleazer  Fitch,  ol 

*  Reasons  in  behalf  of  Connecticut,  why  the  colonies  should  not  be  tax 
»'(!,  n.  30,  31.  Records  of  the  colony.  The  miKtia,  at  that  time,  wen' 
much  more  numerous  than  at  present,  as  alf,  fron^  tl^e  age  of  sixteen  tr 
tjnty,  ivere  obliged  to  bear  arnj*. 


assembly, 

March 

8th. 


LHAP. 


XIX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


399 


t;.  !  rurth.     Israel  Putnam,  who  ecncrally  commanded  ihc  Book  II. 
nineers,  was  lieulenant-coloncl  of  the  fourth  regiment/       v^'v^^ii* 

To  supply  the  treasury,  the  assembly  resolved,  that  1759. 
10,000  pounds  in  bills  of  credit,  equal  to  lawful  money, 
with  interest  at  five  per  cent,  should  be  impressed,  payable 
on,  or  before  the  first  day  of  March,  1764.  As  a  sutncient 
fund  to  sink  and  discharge  said  bills,  a  tax  was  levied  on 
the  grand  list  of  the  colony,  to  be  brought  in,  in  October, 
1762,  of  ten  pence  on  the  pound,  to  he  paid  in  by  the 
JDSt  day  of  December,  1 763. 

As  the  governor  and  some  other  leadlhg  characters  wish> 
ed  for  a  nearer  compliance  with  his  majesty ^s  riequisition, 
and  judged  it  expedient,  the  assembly,  before  they  rose, 
consented  that  four  hundred  men  more  might  be  enlisted 
for  the  service,  making  in  the  whole  a  body  of  four  tliou- 
sand  men. 

When  the  assembly  met  in  May,  it  appeared,  that  gene-  ^*^q*'  ^^ 
ral  Amherst  required  the  same  number  of  troops  to  be  fur-  Hartford, 
nished  by  Connecticut  this  year  which  it  sent  into  the  May  lotb. 
field  the  last.    Governor  Fitch  also  warmly  addressed  the 
assembly  in  favor  of  raiding  the  whole  number'  required, 
as  they  were  come  to  a  very  important  crisis,  when  they 
hoped  for  the  complete  conquest  of  the  enemy,  who  for  a 
long  period  had  been  the  occasion  of  much  distress,  and  of 
such  an  expense  of  blood  and  treasure,  to  this  country.! 
Upon  which  the  assembly  came  to  the  following  resolu- 
tions :    That  this  colony  is  greatly  exhausted,  by  the  ex-  Resoiu- 
lenses  incun'ed  in  the  late  campaigns  :  That  the  taxes  tions  of  the 
aid  on  the  inhabitants  are  heavy :  Tnat  its  credit  is  much  "sembly, 
endangered  by  the  use  of  large  sums  in  bills,  and  that  the 
number  of  its  inhabitants  is  very  much  lessened,  by  their 
enlisting  into  his  majesty's  regular  troops  the  last  winter  j 
and  as  rangers,  batteaux  men  and  team  drivers  ;  and  into 
the  pay  of  neighboring  governments,  for  the  present  cam- 
paign ;  to  which  they  had  been  induced  by  the  payment  of 
large  sums,   which  had  been  offered  and  given  them,  by 
other  governments,  to  induce  them  to  take  the  places  of 
persons  who  ought  to  have  gone  into  the  service  them- 
selves :  and  also  by  the  great  loss  of  men  sustained  in  the 
several  late  campaigns.     This  assembly  is  of  the  opinion, 
that  the  three  thousand  and  six  hundred  men  voted  and  or- 
dered, last  March,  to  be  levied  and  raised  for  said  service, 
and  filled  up  by  impress,  or  detachment,  with  the  encour- 

*  The  chaplains  this  year  were  the  Rev.  Messrs.  George  Beckwith,  Ed- 
ward Eells,  Jonathan  Ingersoll  and  Benjamin  Pomeroy. 

t  The  only  alteration  in  the  choice  of  magistrates  at  this  election,  was 
the  choice  of  Roger  Griswold,  Esq.  afterwards  governor  of  the  colonvj 
iQto  the  council,  in  the  I'oom  of  general  Lyman,  employed  iij  the  army.  " 


■"m 


400 


hiSTORY  OF 


Chap.  XlX. 


1769. 


Book  II.  ngprnont  then  given  for  four  hundred  men  more  to  enlist, 
is  as  much  as  tne  number  of  the  inhabitants  will  allow  • 
yet  considering  the  very  great  importance  of  exerting  our- 
selves in  the  present  important,  critical  and  decisive  mo- 
ment, for  the  security  of  our  country,  and  from  a  derp 
sense  of  our  duty  to  our  king,  and  trom  the  eratitudc  w 
owe  to  the  kingdom  of  Grcat-Britain,  for  the  great  ex- 
pense and  succours  supplied  for  the  immediate  defcnco 
and  future  safety  of  our  rights  and  possessions  in  Amcri- 
ca ;  and  humbly  relying  on  the  gracious  assurances  which 
the  king  was  pleasCd  to  allow  his  secretary  bf  state  to  give, 
that  recommendations  should  be  made  to  parliament  to 
grant  a  reasonable  compensation,  as  his  colonies  should 
appear  to  merit :  and  that  the  2cal  and  ardor  of  the  pcopir; 
may  be  enlivened  and  quickened  to  go  forth  in  the  dc- 
fence,  and  for  the  future  safety  of  our  country ;  and  that  all 
jiroper  encouragements  may  be  given  and  motives  used, 
to  promote  the  raising  of  as  many  more  men  as  can  any 
way  be  induced  to  enlist  themselves  and  engage  in  said 
service  :  it  is  resolved  and  enacted,  that  one  thousand  able- 
bodied  men,  in  addition  to  the  four  thousand  afore  men- 
tioned, be  allowed  to  enlist  into  the  service.  It  was  en- 
acted, that  the  men  now  to  be  raised  should  be  joined  to 
the  regiments  already  formed. 

To  induce  men  to  enlist,  the  encouragements  were  in- 
creased* A  bounty  of  seven  pounds  was  given,  and  those 
who  would  enlist  from  amone  the  men  who  had  been  in 
service  the  last  year,»were  allowed  pay  from  December, 
to  the  end  of  the  campaign,  two  or  three  months  longer 
than  they  were  in  service ;  or  as  though  they  had  been  ac- 
tually in  service  all  the  time,  from  their  enlistment  the  las> 
yfear. 

This  assembly  granted  another  emission  of  ten  thousand 
pounds  lawful  money,  in  bills  of  credit,  at  five  per  cent. 
They  were  made  payable  at  or  before  the  first  day  of  May, 
1763.  To  support  the  Credit  of  the  bills,  a  tax  of  two 
pence  farthing  was  levied  on  the  grand  list  of  the  colony, 
which  should  be  brought  into  the  assembly  in  October, 
1761,  to  be  paid  into  the  treasury  by  the  last  day  of  De- 
cember, 1762.* 

The  colonies  made  such  exertions,  that  the  provincial* 
.  were  early  in  the  field,  and  the  army  under  general  Am- 

cdillLro^a  hcrst  was  first  in  motion.     In  July,  he  passed  lake  George 
andCrowu  without  opposition,  and  marched  with  his  army  to  Ticon- 

Point. 

*  Records  of  the  colony,  1759.  Seven  chests  of  roonej  were  this  sprin» 
sent  over  to  the  colony,  by  the  agent,  to  asiist  in  defraying  the  expense) 
of  tlie  war,  in  the  preceding  years. 


lion  a- 


CyAP.  XIX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


4W 


(Icroga.     The  enemy,  on  hit  npproarh,  abamloncd  ihrirBooKll. 
lines,  which  had  l>een  ho  fatal  to  the  English  the  last  year,  s^-'^'yim^ 
nndthc  general  broke  ground  just  within  their  formidable    1769. 
breast  ^^ork.     At   first,  the  enemy  made  the  ap|>earance 
of  a  bold  and  determined  defence.     But,   on  the  37th  of  jicnod*- 
July,  they  blew  up  their  magazine,  nnd  retired  with  pre-  rog*  aaJ 
cipitation  to  Crown  Point.     There  they  made  but  a  very  ^''*'"' 
short  stay.     On  the  first  of  August,  they  suddenly  evacu-  ^^cuattd. 
ated  that  post,  and  retired  to  the  isle  Aux  Noix.    The 
general   immediately  detached  the  light   rangers  to  take 
possession.     On  the  fourth,  he  arrived  with  his  army. 

Though  the  general  was  now  master  of  these  important 
posts,  yet  the  enemy  were  formidable  on  lake  Cham- 
plain.  They  had  four  large  vessels  mounted  with  cannon, 
and  manned  with  the  piquets  of  several  regiments.  These 
were  commanded  by  Monsieur  le  Bras,  a  captain  in  the 
French  navy,  assisted  by  a  number  of  officers.  The  ene- 
my at  the  isle  Aux  Noix,  consisted  of  three  thousand  and 
five  hundi'ed  effective  men,  strongly  encamped,  with  a 
numerous  artillery.  Monsieur  de  Bourlemaque,  the  com- 
mander in  chief,  flattered  himself,  that  he  should  be  able  to 
command  the  lake,  and  prevent  the  passage  of  the  English 
army  into  Canada. 

That  general  Amherst  mi^ht  proceed,  it  was  necessary 
that  he  should  have  a  superior  force  on  the  lake.  Cap- 
tain Loring,  who  had  superintended  the  building  of  the 
vessels  on  lake  George,  was  therefore  ordered,  with  all 
possible  despatch,  to  build  a  sloop  of  sixteen  guns,  and  a 
radeau,  of  eijrhty  four  feet  in  length,  to  carry  six  twenty- 
four  pounders. 

Wnile  these  were  constructing,  the  army  were  employed  Kxpcdi- 
in  repairing  the  fortifications  at  f  iconderoga,  and  in  laying  *""*. 
the  foundations  of  a  strong  and  regular  fort  at  Crown  Point ;  Nlagarav 
for  the  security  of  his  majesty's  dominions  in  that  part  of 
the  country.     Especially^  it  was  designed  to  guard  against 
the  incursions  of  the  scalping  and  burning  parties,  which, 
in  former  wars,  had  been  so  distressing  and  destructive  to 
the  frontiers  of  the  northern  colonies. 

While  the  army  under  general  Amherst  was  thus  em- 
ployed, general  Prideaux,  reinforced  by  the  Indian  auxilia- 
ries under  Sir  William  Johnson,  advanced  to  Niagara  with- 
out loss  or  opposition.  He  arrived  before  the  fort  about 
the  middle  of  July,  and  immediately  invested  it  on  all  sides. 
The  trenches  were  soon  opened,  and  the  siege  was  prose- 
cuted with  great  vigor.  But,  on  the  twentieth,  general  ^«'>' P"- 
Prideaux  was  killed  in  the  trenches,  by  the  unfortunate  j^y^j 
bursting  of  a  cohorn.    This  affected  the  army  wit,h  univer-  Jviy  ^h. 

A3 


'<i'  ;^  '^  PI 


ri 


i:i 


Ada,    Ijj 


1()« 


frtSTOUV  01* 


Chap.  XIX. 


Italtic  ul 
Niagara. 


Tiie  pnc- 
ll-atcd. 


Ningara 
J.uly  25Ui. 


I.  s:il  sorrow,  ami  ilirculrnctl  to  rhrck  ihr  vij^or  of  iu  opon- 
liofis.  No  huoiur  was  gcrionil  AmlnMst  arquairiU^ti  with 
this  misrortiin*',  than  ho  <liH|)atrh('(l  briaiadier  general 
(jairr  to  nssuinr  tlir  commnrxl.  Mean  while,  it  devolved 
on  Sir  William  Juhnsion.  He  vigorously  pursued  the  tnea- 
BurcH  olilic  late  general,  and  pushed  on  the  siege  with  eve- 
ry adtlilioii  which  his  own  geuius  eould  suggest.  He  w.i.* 
popular  both  with  the  pruvnuiaU  and  regular  troops,  and 
almost  adored  by  the  Indians.  The  siege  was  therclorc 
pressed  on  with  such  united  ardor  and  alarrity,  that,  iu 
about  four  days  after  the  fall  o4"  general  Prjideaux,  the  ap. 
f)rua('hc.4  were  made  within  an  hundred  yards  of  the  rovcrcrl 
way.  The  French,  alarmed  at  the  danger  of  thre  important 
post,  determined  to  hazard  a  battle  for  its  preservation. 
Collecting  all  the  regular  and  provincial  troops  which  th'  y 
could  draw  from  their  several  |)08ts  irt  the  vicinity  cf  I;. 
lakes,  in  conjunction  with  a  large  body  of  Indians,  ;>nioiu 
ing  to  about  seventeen  hundred  men,  they  arWani'd  io  at 
tuck  the  English  and  to  raise  the  sic^c.  Gcner,' .)  'inson, 
apprised  of  their  design,  ordered  his  lighr.  infantry,  sut> 
ported  bv  a  body  of  grenadiers  and  other  regulars,  to  take 
post  on  nis  left,  upon  the  road  where  the  enemy  were  ap- 
proaching ;  his  Hanks  were  covered  by  large  bodies  of 
nis  Indians.  At  the  same  tim^  he  posted  a  strong  body  of 
troops  lo  secure  his  trenches,  from  the  attempts  of  the  gar- 
rison, during  the  action.  At  nine  in  the  morning  the  ac- 
tion commenced,  with  great  fury,  with  a  wild  and  horrible- 
scream  of  the  hostile  Indians.  This  yell  is  truly  the  mosf 
fierce  whi^.h  can  be  imagined.  It  threw  general  Brad- 
dock's  at  my,  and  has  thrown  other  troops  into  the  utmost 
disorder.  Ijutat  this  time  it  had  no  ill  eflfect.  The  ene- 
my were  so  well  received  in  front,  and  so  galled  by  the  gen- 
eral's Indians  on  their  flanks,  that  in  less  than  an  hourtneir 
whole  army  was  ruined.  For  five  miles  the  pursuit  was 
hot  and  bloody.  Monsieur  Aubry,  commanaer  in  chief, 
was  taken  prisoner,  with  sixteen  other  officers.* 

As  the  battle  was  fought  within  hearing  and  sight  of  thr 
fort,  the  hopes  of  the  garrison  were  destroyed,  and  they  im- 
mediately suiTcndered  themselves  »>risoners  of  war.  Thf 
garrison  consisted  of  between  a'u  ai  r(  ieven  hundred.  TIu 
pisoners  were  conducted  to  Ni  w-  W.  '  .nd  Ne>  iiigland. 
The  women  and  children  were  bent,  at  their  desire,  to 
Monlreal.t 

The  services  which  general  Johnson  rendered  to  hi'' 
country  were  shigular  and  important.     In  the  compass  ul 

*  Get).  John»on^8  letter  to  general  Ambent. 
■  Rider's  Hiit.  vol.  alv.  p.  81,  87. 


(^HAr. 


XIX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


10} 


l>)ur  ycnrs,  he  had  ihc  honour  of  acting  twice  as  cnmmnnJ-  Book  il. 
fTin  chief.  In  both  inittanccs,  he  fou$(hta  gntenil  batilr,  s^~,^^ 
aiid  obtained  a  complete'  vu  'ory.  Both  victories  were*  My^'  ilj[i, 
iiahzed  by  the  capture  of  iL,  corumander  in  chief  uf  the 
pijemy.  The  consequence  <»r  the  litter  was,  the  rrductirxi 
of  one  of  the  most  iniportam  ,')osl!*  oi  Un  <  icmy.  hy  whi(  h 
hccut  olTall  coinmunicutioii  briwern  Ciina^la  ,\\\i\  Louisia- 
na. Through  his  influence  ni»ny  imh.i/i'thud  been  hruu^^hi 
into  the  field,  when  he  firsi  luid  the  coniniand  of  thi  nriny 
iit  lake  Georee ;  and  this  year,  hp  led  out  about  t  ji^vcu 
hundred  of  the  five  nations.  Through  his  inlluencr,  ih<  y 
were  kept  iiu)rder,  and  re»truincd  froD)  l)arbiirii) .  Though 
i  I  was  not  bred  to  arms,  yet  it  was  a(lowed  that  no  gene- 
ra'  could  have  made  a  better  disposition  for  the  battle,  or 
w  iuctcd  the  siege  with  more  cool  and  determined  reso- 
luiion.  The  force  of  innate  courage  and  natural  sagacity, 
i,eem  to  have  contributed  to  form  him  an  accomplished 
general. 

The  reduction  of  Ticonderoga,  Crown  Point,  and  Ni-  Exr''i«ioa 
agara,  were  a  defalcation  of  principal  members ;  but  th»  iwD*p 
expcditon  against  Quebec,  was  a  blow  ui  the  heart  of  he 
(iiemv.  While  this  stood  in  its  strength  and  glory,  nothing 
decisive  was  accomplished.  The  reduction  of  this,  iv  is 
considered,  not  only  as  the  greatest,  but  by  far  the  mo>t 
difficult  to  be  achieved.  The  most  active  and  accomplish- 
ed officers  were,  therefore,  chosen  for  this  arduous  enter- 
prise. Under  general  Wolfe,  that  great  military  genius, 
served  brigadiers  Monckton,Townscnd,  and  Murray.  They 
were,  all  three,  the  sons  of  noblemen.  The  four  genends 
were  all  in  the  glory  and  fire  of  youth.  They  were  all 
adepts  in  the  art  of  war,  and,  though  young  in  years,  were 
old  in  experience.  The  fleet  was  commanded  by  admiral.^ 
Saunders,  liolmes,  and  Durel,  officers  of  worth  and  probi' 
ty,  who,  on  several  occasions,  had  distinguished  them- 
selves in  the  service  of  the  nation. 

As  early  as  the  twenty-seventh  of  April,  admi^l  Saun- 
ders arrived  on  the  coast,  within  sight  of  Louisburg ;  but 
the  haii)our  was  so  blocked  up  with  ice,  that  he  was  obli- 
ged to  bear  away  for  HaUfax.  Thence  he  detached  rear 
admiral  Durel,  with  a  squadron,  to  the  isle  de  Condes,  in 
the  river  St.  Lawrence,  to  intercept  all  supplies  fron. 
France  to  Quebec.  He  took  several  store  ships ;  but,  un- 
happily, seventeen  sail  of  ships,  with  stores,  provisions, 
and  recruits,  from  France,  under  the  convoy  of  three  frig- 
ates, got  into  the  river  before  him,  and  ai'rived  safe  at  the 
capital  of  Canada. 

Admiral  Saunder$;  as  s^n  as  the  season  WQ.uld  permit, 


I:? 


404 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XIX, 

Booi(  If.  sailed,  with  an  army  of  eight  thousand  men,  up  the  river, 
Vi^^''^^.'  for  Quebec.     After  a  safe  and  easy  passage,  the  troops 

1 759.    were  disembarked  on  the  island  of  Orleans.* 
Armament     This  island  is  aboul  twenty  miles  in  length,  and  scven- 
arnye*  at  jggj^  j^  breadth.  It  is  fertile,  and  highly  cultivated;  abounds 
Orleans     •"  people,  villages,  and  plantations,  affording  every  kind 
June  26Ui.  of  refreshment.     It  was  necessary  to  take  possession  of 
this  island,  not  only  for  the  refreshment  of  the  troops,  but 
to  act  against  Quebec,  as  the  west  point  of  it  extends  up  to 
its  very  bason.    Opposite  to  this,  is  a  high  point  of  land, 
called  Point  Levi.     The  possession  of  both  these  points, 
was  of  essential  importance,  as  they  might  b$  advantage- 
ously employed  against  the  town  ;  and  if  in  possession  of 
the  enemy,  they  could  make  it  impossible  for  any  ship  to 
lie  within  the  bason  of  Quebec,  or  for  the  army  to  carry  oo 
any  effectual  operations  against  the  town. 

General  Wolfe  having  taken  possession  of  these  points, 
the  harbour  and  town  of  Quebec,  and  the  situation  of  the 
enemy,  came  i.nto  view ;  and  at  once  presented  him  with 
the  almost  insuperable  difficulties  which  he  had  to  encoun- 
ter. Nature  seems  to  have  consulted  the  defence  of  no 
place  more  than  that  of  Quebec.  Charlevoix,  in  his  de- 
scription of  it,  says.  No  other  city  besides  this,  in  the 
known  world,  can  boast  of  a  fresh  water  harbour,  a  hun- 
dred and  twenty  leagues  from  the  sea,  and  that  capable  of 
containing  a  hundred  ships  of  the  line.  It  certainly  stands 
on  the  most  navigable  river  in  the  universe.  At  the  dis- 
tance of  a  hundred  and  ten  or  twelve  leagues  from  the  sea, 
it  is  never  less  than  four  or  five  leagues  in  breadth.  But, 
above  the  island  of  Orleans,  it  suddenly  narrows,  and  that 
ai  such  a  rate,  as  to  be  no  more  than  a  mile  broad  at  Que- 
bec ;  from  which  circumstance,  the  place  has  been  called 
Quibeo,  or  Quebec ;  which,  in  the  Algonquin  language, 
signifies  a  strait,  or  narrowing.  When  Samuel  Champlain 
founded  the  city,  in  1 608,  the  tide  usually  rose  to  the  foot 
of  the  rock.  Since  that  time,  it  has  retired,  by  little  and 
little,  and  has,  at  last,  left  dry  a  large  piece  of  ground,  on 
w^hich  the  lower  town  has  since  been  built,  and  which  is 
now  sufficiently  elevated  above  the  water's  edge,  to  secure 
the  inhabitants  against  the  inundations  of  the  river.t  The 
ascent  from  the  lower,  to  the  upper  town,  is  so  steep,  that 
it  can  be  ascended  only  by  steps,  which,  for  that  purpose, 
are  cut  in  the  rock  on  which  the  town  stands.  This  lofty 
rock  extends  itself,  and  continues,  with  a  bold  and  steep 
front,  westward  along  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  for  a  con- 

*  Rider's  Hist,  vol.  xlv.  p.  81,  87. 

t  Charlevoix's  Journal,  &c.  p.  90,  100,  102. 


15e«crip- 
tion  of 
Quebec 
and  the 
river  St. 
Law- 
vence. 


Chap.  XIX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


405 


Mderable  way,  forming  above  the  town  the  heights  of  Abra-  Book  II. 
ham.     From  the  north-west,  comes  the  river  St.  Charles,  ^.^-s/-^./ 
and  falls  into  the  St.  Lawrence,  washing  the  foot  of  the     1759, 
rock  on  which  the  city  is  built.     By  the  junction  of  these 
rivers,  the  point  on  which  it  stands  is  a  kind  of  peninsula. 
There  was  no  way,  therefore,  to  approach  the  town,  but' 
cither  to  cross  the  river  St.  Charles,  and  attempt  it  on  that 
side,  or  to  go  above  the  town,  and  overcome  the  precipice 
formed  by  the  rock. 

The  town  was  not  only  thus  strongly  defended  by  na-- 
ture,  but  it  was  also  fortified  with  great  art.  It  was  dcfend- 
rd  with  ten  thousand  men,  under  that  able,  and  as  yet  fortu- 
nate commander,  the  marquis  de  Montcalm*  He  had 
-.trongly  posted  his  army  on  that  which  was  deemed  the 
only  accessible  side  of  Quebec,  all  along  the  river  St. 
Charles,  to  Montmorenci.  At  every  spot  where  an  attack 
could  be  made,  were  strong  entrenchments.  In  front  was 
the  river,  and  a  sand  bank,  of  great  extent ;  and  the  rear 
of  the  army  was  covered  with  a  thick,  impenetrable  wood. 

When  general  Wolfe  saw  the  situation  of  the  town,  the 
nature  of  the  countiy,  the  number  and  strong  position  of 
the  enemy,  though  naturally  sanguine  and  adventurous,  yet 
he  began,  in  a  measure,  to  despair  of  the  success  of  the 
enterprise.  Nevertheless,  the  keen  sense  which  he  had  of 
the  expectations  of  his  country,  his  desire  to  answer  them, 
and  his  thirst  for  glory,  bore  him  above  all  considerations 
of  difficulty  or  danger.  He  determined  to  leave  nothing 
unattempted,  which  might  be  for  the  public  service. 

Batteries  were  immediately  erected  on  the  west  point  of 
the  island  of  Orleans,  and  on  Point  Levi,  whence  a  contin- 
ual and  destructive  fire  was  poured  upon  the  lower  town. 
To  co-operate  in  the  best  manner  with  the  army,  admiral 
Saunders  took  his  station  below  the  north  channel  of  the 
inland  of  Orleans,  opposite  to  Montmorenci,  To  distract 
the  enemy,  and  to  prevent  any  attempt  on  the  batteries 
which  played  on  the  town,  admiral  Holmes  passed  it,  and 
took  his  station  above.  When  this  disposition  was  made, 
the  general  ordered  the  troops  to  be  transported  over  the 
north  channel  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  to  the  north-east  of 
Montmorenci.  His  view  in  this  was,  to  cross  the  river, 
and  to  bring  the  enemy  to  a  general  engagement.  To  ef- 
fect this,  was  his  grand  object.  He  foresaw  that  an  assault 
on  the  city  would  prove  ineffectual,  while  the  shipping 
could  only  batter  and  destroy  the  lower  town.  In  this, 
they  must  greatly  suffer  from  the  batteries  and  bombs  of 
the  m)per.  When  the  redaction  of  the  lower  town  should 
be  effected,  the  passages  to  the  other  were  so  steep,  gjid 


•'^1-  ■■}! 


f  fir'  i\ 


M 


tt  ! 


,;  t  ' 


i  v..i  :. 


4«6 


HISTORr  OF 


Chap.  XlX. 


Book  II.  cfrcclually  ntrenched,  that  even  this  advantage  would  con- 
v*^v>fc^  tribute  little  to  the  reduction  of  the  place.  Several  emi- 
1759,  nences,  which  commanded  the  enemy's  entrenchments,  u 
ford  above,  and  a  foixl  below  the  falls,  induced  him  to  taki.' 
this  new  position.  But,  upon  a  nearer  view,  and  a  more 
thorough  examination  of  the  ground,  the  opposite  shore 
was  found  to  be  so  steep  and  woody,  and  so  well  entrench- 
ed, that  it  baflled  all  his  hopes  of  carrying  what  he  at  first 
designed  into  execution.  This  was  to  Force  the  enemy 
from  their  present  position,  by  an  attack  on  their  leli, 
which  he  apprehenued  to  be  less  disadvantageous  than 
one  directly  oh  their  entrenchments.  But  their  advantage- 
ous situation  caused  him  to  adopt  different  measures. 
Troops  were  detached  above  the  town,  and  every  appear- 
ance made  of  a  designed  attack  on  that  side.  The  gene- 
ral passed  the  town  himself,  and  accurately  surveyed  the 
shore  and  banks  of  the  river  above.  But,  on  this  side,  he 
found  extreme  difficulties,  from  the  nature  of  the  ground, 
and  these  wertj  increased  by  the 'precaution  of  the  French 
general.  He  knew  them  so  well,  that  he  trusted  in  them, 
for  the  defence  of  that  side  of  the  town.  At  the  same  time, 
tie  was  too  well  apprised  of  the  importance  of  the  post  he 
had  chosen,  to  be  drawn  from  it  by  any  arts  of  the  English 

feneral.  He  kept  close  in  his  lines.  He  had  a  numerous 
ody  of  savages,  and  was  careful  to  make  such  a  disposi- 
tion of  them,  as  to  render  any  attempt  upon  him  by  sur- 
prise absolutely  impossible. 

Meanwhile,  the  shipping  was  exposed  to  great  danger 
from  the  enemy^s  ships  and  rafts  of  fire,  with  which  they 
had  made  repeated  attempts  for  its  destruction.  By  the 
vigilance  of  admiral  Saunders,  and  the  intrepidity  of  the 
seamen,  under  the  smiles  of  Providence,  it  had  more  than 
once  been  saved  from  the  most  threatening  danger.  The 
seamen  boarded  those  floating  castles  of  fire,  and  towed 
them  ashore,  where  they  spent  their  fury,  without  the  least 
injury  to  the  British  squadron.  Besides  the  constant  dan- 
ger of  thcllect,  the  time  for  action  was  wearing  away,  and 
the  season,  in  addition  to  all  other  difficulties,  would  soon 
fight  for  the  enemy,  and  necessitate  the  fleet  and  army  to 
retire.  The  general  came,  therefore,  to  the  resolution  ol 
attacking  the  enemy  in  their  entrenchments. 
Attack  at  The  attack  was  made  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Mont 
Montmo-    morenci.     To  facilitate  this  hazardous  enterprise,  ereai 

roiici,  July  .  .  /.Ml  11  I        "^   •         ° 

ji5t.  quantities  ot  artillery  were  placed  upon  the  eminence,  to 
batter  and  enfilade  the  enemy's  entrenchments.  The  ad- 
miral placed  the  Centurion  in  the  channel,  to  check  tlir 
fir»'  of  the  f  ncmy's  battery,  which  commanded  the  ford. 


Chap.  XIX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


40f 


Two  flat  botiomed  vessels  were  armed  and  run  on  shore,  Book  I(. 
to  batter  an  advanced  redoubt.     At  a  proper  time  of  tide,  s.^-v'^' 
and  when  the  enemy's  left  appeared  to  Le  thrown  into  some    1759. 
confusion,  by  the  fire  of  the  batteries  and  shipping,  the  sig- 
nal was  made  for  the  troops  to  move,  and  begin  the  attack. 
The  dispositions  were  excellently  made,  and  the  place  of 
attack  was  chosen  with  great  judgment ;  as  it  was  the  only 
place  in  which  the  artillery  coukl  be  brought  into  use,  and 
in  which  most  of  the  troops  could  be  brought  to  act  at  once. 
But  here,  little  accidents,  which  often  dash  human  councils, 
and  demonstrate  the  existence  of  a  Ruler  higher  than  man, 
totally  defeated  the  design. 

Many  of  the  boats  from  Point  Levi,  ran  aground  upon  a 
ledge,  which  projects  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
shore.  This  was  an  occasion  of  some  disorder,  and  of  so 
much  loss  of  time,  that  the  general  was  obliged  to  stop  the 
march  of  brigadier  Townsend's  corps,  after  it  began. 
After  some  delay,  the  boats  were  Boated,  and  though  ex- 
posed to  a  severe  fire  of  shot  and  shelU,  ranged  in  proper 
order.  General  Wolfe  in  person  sounded  the  shore  and  di- 
rected the  spot  where  the  troops  should  land.  •  Thirteen 
companies  of  grenadiers  landed,  with  two  hundred  of  the 
second  American  battalion.     They  had  orders  immediate- 

to  form,  in  four  distinct  columns,  and,  supported  by  briga- 
ler  Monckton's  corps,  as  soon  as  the  other  ti*oOps  had 
passed  the  ford  for  their  assistance,  instantly  to  advance 
to  the  charge.  But  the  grenadiers,  without  forming,  and 
before  Monckton's  corps  was  landed,  in  confusion,  rushed 
impetuously  on,  towards  the  enemy's  entrenchments.  But  p  <•  ,  . 
here  their  courage  served  only  to  increase  their  misfor-  Montmo' 
tune.  They  were  met  with  such  a  steady  and  ti'emendous  rencU 
fire,  from  the  enemy,  that  they  could  not  stand  the  shock  of 
their  repeated  vollies  ;  but  were  obliged  to  retreat  behind 
the  redoubt  which  the  enemy  had  abandoned  at  their  ap** 
proach.  The  general,  perceiving  that  they  could  not 
form  under  so  heavy  a  fire,  ordered  them  to  retreat  and  form 
behind  general  Monckton's  corps,  which  was  now  drawn 
up  upon  the  beach,  in  excellent  order.  This  unhappy 
circumstance  had  occasioned  a  new  delay,  the  day  was 
far  spent,  the  tide  was  making,  and  the  wind  began  to  blow 
with  uncommon  violence.  . 

In  these  circumstances,  the  general  foreseeing  that,  in 
case  of  a  second  repulse,  the  retreat  of  the  army  would  be- 
come hazardous  and  uncertain,  gave  up  the  attempt,  and 
repassed  the  river  without  molestation.  But,  iii  this  unfor- 
tunate attack,  more  than  five  hundred  men,  including  many  " 
brave  officers,  were  lost.* 

•  Gen.  Wolfc'3  letter  ti  Mr.  Pitt.    Rider's  Hist.  vol.  vTv.  i>.  91,  95. 


di 


>  U4 


40b 


lilSTORY  OF 


Chap.  XIX. 


Bortk  If.  iinmcdiatelv  after  this  severe  check,  brigadier  Murray 
x-^^'-'s./  was  detachecl  with  twelve  hundred  men,  in  transports,  to 
1769.  co-operate  with  admiral  Holmes,  above  the  town.  It  was 
designed  to  make  an  attempt  t6  destroy  the  enemy's  shi]i  ■ 
ping.  The  brigadier  was  also  instructed  to  sieze  every 
opportunity  of  fighting  the  detachments  of  the  enemy,  and 
of  provoking  them  to  oattle.  He  made  a  descent  at  Cham- 
baud,  and  burnt  a  considerable  magazine,  filled  with  arms, 
clothing^  provisions  and  ammunition.  But  the  ships  wcro 
moorecf  in  such  a  manner,  that  their  destruction  was  im- 
practicable. As  no  other  service  presented  itself  above 
the  town,  general  Murray  returned  to  the  camp. 

The  season  was  now  far  advanced,  and  nothing  decisive 
had  been  accomplished.  Though  the  successes  of  general 
Amherst  and  general  Johnson  had  reached  Quebec,  yet  all 
hopes  of  any  assistance  from  them  had  entirely  vanished. 
General  Wolfe,  overcome  with  care,  watching  and  fatigue, 
which  he  had  for  so  long  a  time  endured,  and  chagrined 
with  disappointment,  became  violently  sick.  His  bodv 
was  unequal  to  that  vigorous  and  enterprising  soul  which 
it  possessed.  He  well  knew  that  no  military  conduct 
could  shine  unless  it  Was  gilded  with  success.  It  couid 
by  no  means  satisfy  his  great  mind  to  return  from  an  expe- 
dition so  interesting  to  his  country,  and  with  respect  to 
which  such  expectations  had  been  formed,  without  censure, 
and  he  aspired  to  the  zenith  of  glory.  His  high  notions ol 
btptt  2nd.  ijonor,  the  national  expectation,  the  success  of  other  gene- 
rals, all  turning  in  upon  his  mind,  were  supposed  to  oppress 
his  spirits,  and  to  convert  disappointment  into  disease. 
When  he  had  recovered  a  little  from  the  shock,  he  dispatch- 
ed an  express  to  the  ministry  with  an  account  of  what  had 
])assed,  and  of  the  difficulties  which  he  had  to  encounter. 
He  wrote  very  much  in  the  style  of  despondency,  at  the 
same  time  promising,  that  the  small  part  of  the  campaign 
which  remained,  should,  to  the  utmost  of  his  capacity,  be 
employed  for  the  honor  of  his  majesty,  and  the  interest  ol 
the  nation. 

Before  this  dispatch  Avas  sent  off,  it  was  determined  to 
move  the  army  above  the  town,  and,  if  possible,  to  bring 
the  enemy  to  a  general  action.  Though  the  enemy  wei-c 
superior  in  numbers,  this  appeared  to  the  general,  and  the 
three  brigadiers,  to  be  the  only  probable  chance  of  success, 
in  this  difficult  enterprise.  The  camp  at  Montmorenci 
was  soon  broken  up,  and  the  troops  and  artillery  were  em- 
barked and  landed  at  Point  Levi.  The  troops  soon  pass- 
ed up  the  river  in  transports  ;  and  while  admiral  Holmes, 
for  several  days  successively,  made  movements  up  the  riv- 


Tlie  ftrniy 
is  inovfj 
above  the 
city. 


(^HAP.  XIX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


40^ 


rr  to  amuse  the  enemy,  on  the  north  shore,  and  draw  their  Book  If. 
attention  as  far  as  possible  from  the  city,   one  half  of  the  n^'~>^'^»' 
(roops  were   landed  for  refreshment  on   the  other  side.    1750. 
These  movements   had  no  other  effect  than  to  produce  u 
detachment  of  fifteen  hundred  men,  from  the  main  camp, 
under  the  command  of  Monsieur  Bourgainville,  to  proceed 
Along  shore,  and  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  English  fleet 
and  army.     The  general  therefofc  came  finally  to  the  reso- 
lution of  landing   the  troops  at  night,  within  •«  league  of 
Cape  Dimond,  and  to  ascend  the   heights  of  Abcaham. 
These  rise  abruptly,  with  a  steep  ascent,  from  the  banks  of 
the  river,  and,  once  gained,  would  give  the  army  possession 
of  the  ground  on  the  back  side  of  the  city,  where  it  was 
least  defensible,   and  would  enable  the  fleet  and  army,  in 
concert,  to  attack  the  upper  and  lower  town. 

Such  however,  were  the  ditficulties  and  dangers  of  exe- 
cuting this  design,  that  it  could  scarcely  have  been  adopt- 
ed but  by  a  spirit  of  enterprise  bordering  on  desjiair. 
The  stream  was  rapid,  the  shore  shelving,  the  bank  of  the 
river  lined  with  centinels,  the  landing  place  so  narrow  as 
easily  to  be  missed  in  the  dark  ;  and  the  ground  so  difficult 
to  be  surmounted,  as  hardly  to  be  efl*ected  in  open  day, 
should  no  opposition  be  made.  Should  a  spy  or  deserter 
^ive  the  least  intimation  of  the  design,  or  should  it  be  sus- 
pected by  the  enemy ;  should  the  embarkation  be  disor- 
dered through  the  darkness  of  the  night,  or  difficulty  of  the 
shore,  the  landing  place  be  mistaken,  or  the  centinels  alarm- 
ed, the  heights  of  Abraham  would  instantly  be  lined  with 
such  numbers  of  troops  as  would  render  the  attempt  abor- 
tive. Any  of  these  circumstances  might  have  occasioned 
a  defeat.  Though  these  difficulties  could  not  escape  the 
})enetration  of  the  gallant  general,  yet  he  adopted  the  plan 
without  hesitation,  and  executed  it  in  person.  A  divine 
superintendency  so  watched  over  it,  that  it  succeeded  ac- 
cording to  his  wishes. 

When  every  thing  was  ripe  for  execution,  admiral  Saun- 
ders was  ordered  to  make  a  feint  with  his  ships,  as  if  he  de» 
signed  to  attack  the  enemy  in  their  entrenchments  on  the 
Beauport  shore,  and,  by  his  motions,  to  give  it  all  possible 
appearance  of  a  reality.     The  troops  embarked  in  boats 
and  on  board  the  transports,  and,  to  cover  their  design,  pro- 
ceeded eight  or  nine  miles  up  the  river,  above  the  place 
where  they  designed  to  land.     Under  the  cover  of  the 
night,  the  boats  fell  silently  down,  undiscovered  by  the  cen-  j, 
tinels.     On  the  thirteenth  of  September,  an  hour  before  bmi 
day^  the  troops  landed  on  the  north  shore,  directly  against  against  the 
Abraham.    Admiral  Holmes,  sailing  down  ^^bfaba"' 


>:mm 


wm 


the  heights  of 


B3 


•2IU 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  X|\. 


OooK  11.  ilie  river,  arrived  just  in  lime  toassisl  and  urotpct  the  land 
v^'^'"^/ ing  of  tlifc  troops.     When  they  had  gainecl  the  shore,  tin- 
1759.    precipice  being  exceedingly  steep  and  high,  they  were  ik)| 
able  to  climb  it  but  by  laying  hold  on  stumps  and  bougli^, 
of  trees,  and  pulling  themselves  up  by  them.     A  little  path. 
so  narrow  that  two  coukt  not  go  abreast,  wound  itself  ii|i 
the  ascent;  and  even  this  Was  defended  by  a  capiain'> 
guard.     With  admirable  courage  and  activity  did  the  ligln 
troops  and  Highlanders  mount  the  craggy  steep,  dislotltjo 
the  captain's  guard,  and  open  the  way  for  tlie  other  trooj ., 
to  gain  the  summit*     By  about  the  breaking  of  the  day. 
the  ti-oops  Were  up  and  Ibnhed  in  good  order.* 
liaMir  of        No  sooner  was  marquis  de  Montcalm  informed  that  tho 
Quebec,     Knglish  had  gained  the  heights  of  Abraham,  than  he  march- 
^Ljii.  I Jih,  (.j^  with  his  whole  force,  from  the  Beauport  side,  to  givi 
them  battle.     lie  tilled  the  bushes  in  his  front  with  his  In- 
dians and  his  best  marksmen,  amounting  to  not  less  than 
lifleen  hundred  men.     His  regulars   formed  his  left ;  his 
right  was  composed  of  the  troops  of  the  colony,  support- 
ed by  two  regular  battalions.     The  rest  of  the  Canadian^ 
;«nd  Indians  he  extended  on  his  ri^ht,  with  a  view  to  out 
llank  the  EngpKh.     General  Wolte,  instantly  penetratins; 
his  design,  detached  brigadier  Townsend,  with  the  regi- 
ment of  Amherst,  which  was  afterwards  reinforced  with 
two  battalions  of  royal  Americans.     He  formed  the  left  in 
the  manner  which  military  men  term  en  poiens,  presentine, 
a  double  fronts     The  right  ol-  the  army  was  covered  by  the 
Louisburg  grenadiers.     Atway's  were  afterwards  brought 
to  their  right.     On  their  left  were  Brag's,  Kennedy's,  and 
Astruther's  regiments,  and  Lascelle's  Flighlandcrs.     Col. 
Howe's  light   infantry  protected  the  rear  and  the  left. 
Webb's  was  drawn  up  as  a  reserve,  in  eight  subdivisions, 
with  large  intervals.     Such  were  the  dispositions  on  both 
sides,  as  at  once  evinced  the  penetration  and  judgment  ot 
the  respcxiive  generals.     The  French  had  two  pieces  ot 
cannon  ;  the  English  had  time  to  bring  up  one  only.    About 
nine  o'clock,  the  enemy,  in  good  order,  advanced  to  tli( 
charge.     Their  attack  was  brisk  and  animated.     Thoii 
irregulars  kept  up  a  galling  though  irregular  fire  upon  th( 
whole  line  of  the  English,  though  it  was  in  some  measure 
checked  by  their  advanced  posts.     This  they  endured  with 
patience,  reserving  their  fire  until  the  main   body  ofthr 
enemy  had  advanced  within  forty  yards,  when  they  poured 
in  uj)on  them  a  terrible  discharge,  which  took  effect  in  it^ 
whole  extent.     The  fire  was  kept  up  with  the  san«e  vigor  in 
which  it  commenced,  till  the  enemy  every  where  gave  way 
*  Wiight'e  History  of  the  war,  vol.  i.  p.  210. 


HAT, 


XIX. 


rONNCCTICLT. 


lit 


\s  general  Wolfe  stocxl  conspicuous  in  the  front  ol"  the  lijif,  I^>ok  II. 
he  was  aimed  at  by  the  miirksmcn.     Ho  received  a  shot  in  \.^">'"^^ 
his  wrist,  which  he  wrapped  in  his  handkerchief,  and  t:on-    i7j'J. 
iitiued  giving  his  orders  widi  coohioss  ;  but  just  ;is  the  for- 
tune of  the  day  becjan   to  declare  itself,  advancin;^al  th" 
head  of  Brag's  and  the  Louisburg  grenadiers,  he  received 
a  ball  in  his  breast,  and  fell  in  the  arms  of  victory.*     I;n- 
nicdiatcly  fell  general  Monckton,  and  both  were  conveyed 
out  of  the  line.     In  this  critical  state  of  the  action  the  com- 
-nand  dcvoh'ed  on  general  Townsend^    He  bad  the  good 
jbrtunc  tx)  preserve  the  spirit  of  ttp  troops,  and  push  the 
;(dvanlages  gained,  to  a  complete  victory.     Every  corps, 
III  this  crisis,  seemed  to  exert  itself  with  a  view  to  the  hon- 
or of  its  own  particular  character.     While  the  grenadiers, 
on  the  right,  pushed  on    with    their    bayonets,   general 
Murray,  with  his  corps,  with  a  heavy  and  destructive  Are, 
broke  the  centre  of  the  enemy,  and  the  Highlanders  falling 
impetuously  on  with  their  broad  swords,  hewed  them  down 
with  terrible  slaughter.     The  troops  pursued  them  to  the 
very  walls  of  the  town,  killed  them  upon  the  glacis  and  in 
ihe  ditch  :  and   had  oot  the  city  been  so  near,  the  whole 
French  army  must  have  been  destroyed. t 

No  sooner  had  the  English  won  the  field,  than  a  fresh 
onemy  appeared^  threatening  another  engagement,  and 
put  all  again  to  hazard.  Monsieur  Sourgainville,  who 
had  been  drawn  up  the  river  by  the  movements  of  the  Eng- 
lish, with  a  corps  of  two  thousand  men,  from  Cape  Rouge, 
appeared  in  their  rear.  But,  as  the  maiji  French  army 
had  been  defeated,  and  as  genera}  Townsend  was  able  to 
establish  his  rear,  and  to  advance  against  him  with  a  supe- 
rior force,  he  was  obliged,  after  some  feeble  attempts,  to 
retire. 

This  memorable  batdo  was  fought  with  great  loss  on 
both  sides.  In  a  very  short  time,  six  generals,  and  about 
two  thousand  men,  were  killed  or  wounded.  The  loss  of 
the  English  was  five,  and  that  of  the  enemy  was  fifteen 
hundred  men.  General  Wolfe,  amiable  in  his  person, 
and  one  of  the  greatest  military  geniuses  of  his  age,  was  a 
capital  loss  to  the  nation,  which  damped  the  joy  of  this  sig- 
nal victory.  When  struggling  with  grievous  wounds,  he 
seemed  only  solicitous  for  the  success  of  the  action,  and 
the  good  of  his  country.  When  unable  to  stand,  he  beg- 
ged nis  attendants  to  support  him,  that  he  might  once  more 
view  the  field ;  but  his  eyes  were  so  dimmed  by  the  ap- 
proach of  death  that  he  couW  not  see  ;  he  therefore  cagorij- 

*  Rider's  Hist.  vol.  xlv.  p.  104. 

t  Adiairal  SauQders*  letter  to  the  risht  hoD,  Mr.  Secretary  fiff 


t 


■  m 


y^ 


w 


i 
I 

1 


M\ 


412 


HISTORY  OP 


Chap.  XIX, 

BookII.  asked  an  officer  what  he  saAv?    He  answered,  the  enemy 
N-«»^N'^>i^  run ;  they  are  totally  defeated.     Then,  said  the  hero,  '•  I 
1759.    thank  God,  1  am  contented ;''  and  almost  instantly  cx[)ii-. 
ed. 

The  marquis  Montcalm  was  carried  from  the  field  mor- 
tally wounded,  into  the  city,  and  lived  just  long  enough  to 
recommend  his  wounded  and  captivated  countrymen  to  tin; 
mercy  of  the  English  general.  It  must  be  allowed,  that  ho 
was  an  officer  of  distinguished  ability,  and  that,  from  the 
commencement  of  the  war,  he  had  rendered  the  most  es- 
sential services  to  his  country.  In  the  last  scenes  of  his 
life,  he  well  supported  his  character,  having  made  the  best 
dispositions  human  skill  and  prudence  could  suggest,  both 
before  and  during  the  engagement.  In  every  precedinjf 
enterprise,  he  had  been  successful.  It  is  not  certain  that 
he  would  not  have  been  in  the  defence  of  Quebec,  had  he 
^r.en  left  to  his  own  opinion.  It  is  said  that  he  was  not 
for  hazarding  a  general  action  ;  but  that  his  opinion  wa^ 
overruled  by  Monsieur  Ramsay,  governor  of  Quebec. 

General  Monckton,  who  was  shot  through  his  breast,  and 
had  the  ball  extracted  from  under  his  shoulder  blade,  re- 
covered ;  but  the  second  in  command  in  the  French  army, 
^vas  left  wounde,d  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  died  the  next 
day,  on  board  (he  fleet.  The  third  and  fourth  in  com- 
mand were  killed. 

Immediately  after  the  battle,  admiral  Saunders  sent  up 
all  the  boats  in  the  fleet,  with  artillery,  ammunition,  and 
whatever  should  be  necessary  for  general  Townsend,  in 
besieging  and  attacking  the  city.  But,  as  the  enemy  were 
still  more  nuoierous  than  the  English,  it  was  judged  expe- 
dient to  fortify  the  camp,  before  they  attempted  complete- 
ly to  invest  the  town.  A  considerable  time  was  spent  ia 
this  manner,  and  in  clearing  the  road,  getting  the  cannon 
up  the  precipice,  and  in  making  the  dispositions  necessary 
to  cut  ofi'the  communication  between  the  city  and  the  coun- 

Qn  the  seventeenth,  the  admiral  went  up  with  his  whole 
force,  disposed  in  order  to  attack  the  lower,  as  soon  as  the 
general  should  be  ready  to  attack  the  upper  town.  As  the 
place  w^s  now  invested,  and  every  thing  put  on  the  ap- 

f)earance  of  a  vigorous  siege,  or  an  immediate  attack,  by 
in..v...j  ^,  3"^  ^"^  water,  the  enemy  demanded  a  capitulation.  On 
Quebec  the  eighteenth,  the  city  of  Quebec  was  surrendered,  on 
«""?"i8th'  ^^""S  nonorable  to  the  garrison,  and  advantageous  to  the 
''^P  •  '  inhabitatnts.  The.  garrison  was  allowed  to  march  out  with 
the  honors  of  way ;  and  the  inhabitants  were  secured  in 
their  persons  an^  eifects,  in  the  exercise  pf  their  religionj 


session  o 


Chap.  XIX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


413 


and  the  enjoyment  of  all  their  civil  rights,  until  a  grncnl  Book  II. 
pacification  should  determine  their  future  condition.  s^"v^^/ 

Various  circumstances  united  their  influence  in  procur-  1759, 
ing  these  favorable  terras  for  the  enemy.  The  season  wa' 
so  far  advanced  as  to  become  cold  and  stormy,  unhealthy 
for  the  troops,  and  dangerous  for  the  fleet.  The  number 
of  men  was  so  small,  that  it  was  hardly  sufficient  complete^ 
ly  to  invest  the  city.  The  enemy  continued  to  assemble 
in  force  in  the  rear  of  the  Britisn  army ;  and  though  the 
lower  town  was  in  a  manner  destroyed,  and  the  upper  one 
much  damaged,  yet  the  walls  were  in  a  state  of  defence  t 
and  it  was  judged  a  considerable  advantage  to  take  pos- 
session of  the  city  in  that  condition.  ^  Another  circum- 
stance, which,  at  that  time,  rendered  the  capitulation  more 
singularly  fortunate  and  providential  was,  that  Monsieur 
Levi  had  arrived  from  Montreal,  with  two  battalions,  to 
reinforce  the  enemy,  who  were  rallying  behind  cape  Rouge. 
Monsieur  Bourgainville,  at  the  same  time,  was  advancing 
with  a  convoy  of  provisions,  at  the  head  of  eight  hutidrcu 
men,  with  a  view  of  throwing  himself  into  the  town,  the  ve- 
ry morning  on  which  it  was  surrendered. 

A  garrison  of  five  thousand  regulars,  with  some  light 
troops,  were  left  in  the  city,  under  the  command  of  general 
Murray.  The  garrison  was  plentifully  supplied  with  pro- 
visions, ammunition,  and  warlike  stores.  The  fleet  soon 
sailed  for  England ;  and  about  a  thousand  French  officers, 
soldiers  and  seamen,  were  embanked  on  board  a  number  of 
English  vessels  and  sent  to  France. 

Thus,  after  a  severe  campaign,  of  nearly  three  months, 
fell  the  capital  of  the  French  settlements  in  America. 
Considered  in  all  its  circumstances,  perhaps  there  never 
was  an  enterprise,  attended  with  so  many  difficulties,  man- 
aged with  more  gallant  perseverance,  nor  accomplished 
with  more  ability  and  vigor.  A  city  strong  in  its  situa- 
tion, and  strong  in  fortifications,  was  to  be  attacked  ;  an 
army  greatly  superior  in  numbers  to  the  besiegers,  posted 
under  its  walls,  in  an  almost  impregnable  situation,  under 
a  cajitious  and  ezperiencpd  commander,  was  to  be  defeat- 
ed ;  a  theatre  of  more  than  five  leagues  was  to  be  filled, 
and  operations  of  this  extent  to  be  carried  on ;  and  all  this 
was  to  be  accomplished  by  an  army  of  only  about  eight 
thousand  men.  In  overcoming  the  obstacles  of  nature,  as 
well  as  of  art,  general  Wolfe  shewed  himself  to  be  supe- 
rior to  every  difficulty.  All  the  dispositions  of  thai  dar- 
ing, but  judicious  attempt,  which  divided  the  force  of  the 
enemy,  drew  Montcalm  from  his  entrenchments,  and  final- 
ly effected  the  capture  of  Quebec,  were  so  many  masterly 
strokes  in  the  art  of  war. 


4U 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XIJT. 


I76U. 


PooK  n.  Thr  perfect  hnrmony  anil  united  zeal  and  oxrriions  m 
the  whole  fleet  nnd  army,  had  a  capital  influence  in  (his 
^rand  event.  In  it  nil  good  men  will  discern  a  divine  su- 
perintcndency.  How  conspicuous  was  this,  in  coniljiniii|r 
so  many  favorable  circumstances  as  were  necessary  for 
gaining  the  heights  of  Abraham  ?  And  in  preventing  those 
numerous  incidents,  by  which  it  might  have  been  defcatcri, 
and  against  which  no  human  foresight  could  have  made 
efl'ectual  provision  ? 

When  the  news  of  the  reduction  of  Quebec  anivnd  in 
England,  it  is  hardly  possible  to  describe  the  various  nnd 
mixed  emotions,  which  instantly  pervaded  the  nation. 
But  two  days  before,  the  ministry  had  received  the  dis- 
patches  of  general  Wolfe,  after  the  check  at  Montmorcnri. 
As  the  general  appeared  then  to  doubt  of  success,  the  pub- 
lic judged  they  hud  reason  to  despair.  But  in  the  midst  ut 
this  general  despondency,  a  second  express  arriving,  ut 
once  announced  the  victory  and  capture  of  Quebec,  and 
the  death  of  general  Wolfe.  News  so  joyful,  immediately 
on  a  state  of  general  dejection,  has  an  uniinual  effect.  Thm 
mixture  of  pity  and  grief  which  Qtteitded  the  public  joy 
and  congratulations,  was  singular,  and  peculiarly  affecting. 

Major  Rogers,  who  was  sent  out  with  a  scouting  party  on 
the  8th  of  August,  fell  in  with  a  large  number  of  French 
and  Indians  near  Wood  Creek.  A  smart  engagement  im- 
mediately ensued..  Major  Putnam,  afterwards  general  Put- 
nam, was  taken  prisoner,  with  some  others,  and  carried  to 
Canada,  where  he  was  ke)  t  about  three  moiiths.  In  this 
action,  Peter  Wooster,  of  Derby,  an  ensign  in  colonel  Na- 
than Whiting^s  regiment,  bad  six  balls  shot  through  him, 
had  his  elbow,  wrist  and  hand  broken  in  pieces  with  the 
hatchet,  and  received  seven  other  blows  from  it ;  was  scalp- 
ed and  stripped,  and  left  as  a  dead  man  in  the  place  where 
he  fell ;  and  yet  he  afterwards  revived,  and  was  recovered 
to  a  comfortable  state.  The  assembly,  upon  his  applica- 
tion, representing  that,  by  reason  of  the  wounds  which 
he  had  received,  he  was  in  a  great  measure  incapacitatcn 
for  labor,  granted  him  forty  pounds  lawful  money  for  his 
assistance. 

While  tiiose  great  events  had  taken  place  in  Canada, 
general  Amherst  was  making  all  possible  exertions  on  the 
lakes;  but  it  was  the  11th of  October  before  he  had  com- 
pleted the  shipping  necessary  to  command  the  lake,  and 
could  be  ready  to  attack  the  enemy.  On  this  day^  naving 
the  whole  army  embarked  in  batteaux,  in  excellent  order, 
<'overed  with  his  shipping,  he  advanced  down  the  lake  to 
attfii^k  the  enemy.     But  the  neit  day  the  weather  becam'- 


Grncral 
Amherst 
advances. 


{  HAP. 


XIX. 


CONNKCTICUr. 


4IJ 


o  tempestuous  thnt  he  was  ohligctl  to  take  sholtor  in  a  I...     Ftoon  If. 
on  the  western  shore,  ami  to  (lisemhnrk  the  troops.     While  v^»v-%i^ 
i!ioy  remained  on  shore,  captain  Loring,  with  the  sfjiiadron,    |7.'>o, 
siilcd  down  the  lake,  and  drove  three  of  the  French  ships  Frfmh 
into  a  bay,  where  two  of  them  were  sunk  in  deep  water,  *^''"  ''"* 
ind  abandoned  by  their  crews.  The  third  was  run  aground,  ^'"''^* ' 
iirid  was  also  deserted.     This  captain  Lorin^  repaired  and 
itfoughl  off.     The  French  were  now  despoiled  of  all  their 
,liipping  on  the  lake,  except  one  schooner.     General  Ani- 
iirrst,  after  lying  Wind  bound  some  days,  re-embarked  his 
iioops  and  proceeded  down  the  lake :  but  the  storm,  which 
had  for  some  time  abated,  beginning  again  with  greater 
violence,  and  the  wind  blowing  with  such  fury  that  the 
\vavc8  ran  mountain  high,  he  was  oblij.5ed  to  return  again 
10  the  same  bay,  where  he  had  sought  safety  before,  and 
re-land  his  army.     The  general  being  convinced  that  the 
season  for  action  was  elapsed,  and  that  it  was  unsafe  to  vcn- 
t(ire  the  army  on  the  lake  in  battcaux,  returned  to  Ciowa 
j'oint.     The  remainder  of  the  season  was  employed  in 
raising  the  new  fortress  at  Crown  Point,  with  three  small 
out  forts  for  its  defence  ;  in  forming  roads  for  communica- 
lion  between  Ticonderoga  and  the  governments  of  Massa- 
chusetts and  New-Hampshire  ;  and  in  itiaking  such  dispo- 
sitions for  quartering  the   troops,  as,  during  the  winter, 
should  secure  the  country  from  all  damage  and  insult  by 
the  enemy. 

Thus  closed  the  ever  memorable  campaign  of  1 759  :  a 
campaign,  the  success  of  which  made  ample  amends  for  the 
inactivity  and  disappointments  of  former  years  ;  and  will 
always  do  the  highest  honor,  not  only  to  the  generals  wivo 
commanded  in  the  several  enterprises,  but  to  the  nation  in 
s;eneral. 

By  the  reduction  of  Ticonderoga,  Crown  Point  and  Ni- 
agara, and  especially  of  Quebec,  the  remaining  part  of 
Canada  became  invested  on  every  side,  and  entirely  cut 
oft' from  every  communication  with  Fiunce.  The  troops 
under  monsieur  Levi,  at  Montreal  and  Trois  Rivieres,  with 
those  at  the  isle  Aux  Noix,  could  receive  no  recruits  of 
men,  provisions,  or  military  stores.  The  way  was  open  to 
advance  upon  them  in  the  spring  from  the  lakes  Ontario  and 
Champlain,  and  from  Quebec,  up  the  river  St.  Lawrence, 
and  presented  the  most  flattering  prospect  of  the  total  re- 
duction of  all  Canada. 

The  nation  was  deeply  sensible  of  the  divine  benefi- 
rence  in  the  successes  of  the  campaign,  and  thanksgivings 
were  offered,  both  in  Great-Britain  and  in  America,  unto 
llim  whogivelh  the  victory,  and  savcth  by  few  as  well  as 
by  many. 


t!       I 


17G0. 


Dei-ij;!!''  of 
tlie  cuciiiy. 


IhSTORV  OK  Cmap.W 


(  IIAPTKK  XX. 

Slal^"  'If'  the  utirrliinn  at  Quebrt .  Desl^m  of  Monsieur  l.rn. 
Ilia  fjrfparations  for  thr  sirge  of  the  lily.  Murrhciwith 
his  army  from  Alontreal.  Battle  of  Siltery.  Genenit 
.Murray  defeated,  and  Quebec  w  b'sieged.  Lord  Colvillf 
arrives  with  the  British  fleet.  The  Fretwh  shipping  dr- 
atroyed,  and  the  siege  raised.  Preparations  for  the  cam- 
paign in  17G0.  Plan  of  it.  Resolutions  of  the  General 
,'Jssemhly  of  Connecticut,  respecting  it.  Movements  of 
general  Amherst,  He  goes  down  the  river  St.  Luwrmve, 
Makes  a  junction  with  generals  Murray  and  Haviland,  at 
Montreal,  The  city  surrenders,  and  the  whole  country  of 
Canada  is  conquered,  ^     . 

IT  had  been  supposed,  ihc  last  yeair,  that,  by  the  reduc- 
tion of  Quebec,  Canada  was,  in  effect,  conquered.  But, 
experience  soon  taught  the  Ene;lish,  that  more  dangers 
awaited  them,  and  that  much  more  remained  to  be  done, 
to  complete  the  advantages  to  which  the  taking  of  the  capi- 
tal had  given  an  opening,  than,  at  that  time,  the  most  saga- 
cious had  been  able  to  foresee.  It  very  soon  appearofl 
that  there  was  danger  of  losing  that  important  acquisition, 
which  had  been  made  by  such  uncommon  exertions  ot" 
military  prowess,  and  by  such  consummate  generalship,  in 
the  face  of  so  many  dangers,  and  at  the  expense  of  so  ma- 
ny lives. 

As  soon  as  possible  after  the  reduction  of  Quebec,  tho 
English  fleet  retired,  that  they  might  not  be  damaged  by 
the  storms  usual  at  that  season,  nor  frozen  up  in  the  river. 
As  in  the  winter  the  river  would  be  frozen  up,  it  was  ima- 
gined that  no  shipping  would  be  necessary  for  the  dcfoncn 
of  the  city,  and,  consequently,  none  were  left.  Lord  Col- 
villc,  with  a  strong  squadron,  remained  at  Halifax,  with 
orders  to  visit  Quebec  in  the  spring.  General  Amherst 
was  at  New- York,  and  had  so  cantoned  his  troops  as,  early 
in  the  spring,  to  recommence  his  operations,  for  the  entire 
reduction  of  Canada.  With  this  disposition,  it  was  con- 
ceived, the  English  garrison  at  Quebec,  and  the  Americau 
j>osts,  would  be  safe  and  undisturbed. 

But  immediately  after  the  departure  of  the  English  fleet, 
Monsieur  Levi  conceived  the  idea  of  recovering  Quel)cc. 
The  army  which  he  commanded  was  more  numerous  than 
tho  land  force  which  had  made  the  conquest.  He  had  a 
number  of  frigates,  by  which  he  could  entirely  command 


CiiAP.  Xa* 


CONNECTICUT. 


117 


the  river.     H«'  rstablishiKl  iulvanrcil    |)osts  at  Point    an  Book  II. 
Tnniblr,  Sr.   \u(;u'<liiic  utid  Lo  Ciilv;iire  ;  whilt'  the  n>;iit»  n^-v^^ 
body  of  hi^  irrny  quartered    bolmcn  Tn)i»   Uivicrt'H  and    17G0* 
J;ujues  Quartior.     As  he  had  (ormed  d»e  design  ol  tukirii( 
(^uef)rc  in  the  winter,  and  curryine  it  liy  a  coup  dc  main, 
\\f'  provided  <r)ow  shoos,  scalinji;  ladders,  and  whatever 
might  he  necessary  for  that  purpose.     He  took  possession 
of  I^oint  Levi,  and  there  forrncu  a  magazine  of  provisions. 

CJeneral  Murray,  on  his  part,  omitted  no  exertions  nor  Precau- 
precautions  in  his  power,  for  the  defence  of  the  city,  and  •'""•  "^ 
tlie  annoyance  of  the  enemy.  During  the  winter,  he  re-  ^uJ^aT' 
paired  more  than  five  huncfred  houses,  which  had  been 
damaged  by  the  English  shells  and  cannon.  He  built  eight 
redoubts,  raised  foot  banks  along  the  ramparts,  opened 
embrasures,  and  mounted  cannon.  He  blocked  up  the 
avenues  of  the  suburbs  with  a  stockade,  removed  eleven 
months  provisions  into  the  highest  parts  of  the  city,  and 
formed  a  magazine  of  four  thousand  fascines.  He  posted 
two  hundred  men  at  St.  Foix  and  Lorette.  A  detachment 
marched  to  St.  Augustine,  and  brought  otF  the  enemy's  ad- 
vanced guard,  with  great  numbers  of  cattle,  and  disarmed 
the  inhabitants.  By  these  means,  the  motions  of  the  ene- 
my were  constantly  watched,  and  the  avenues  to  the  city 
secured^  As  soon  as  the  river  froze  over,  he  detached  a 
j)arty  to  Point  Levi,  drove  off  the  enemy,  and  took  their 
magazine.  He  disarmed  the  inhabitants  on  the  river,  and 
obliged  them  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance.  The  English 
government,  by  these  means,  was  maintained  over  nearly  a 
dozen  parishes. 

By  these  measures,  the  outposts  were  so  well  secured, 
and  the  avenues  to  the  city  so  effectual'y  guarded,  that 
Monsieur  Levi  judged  it  most  prudent  .0  give  up  his  de- 
sign of  attempting  to  take  the  city  by  surprise,  and  not  to 
begin  his  operations  till  the  spring  should  open,  and  he 
could  form  a  regular  siege.  To  be  ready  for  this,  no  pains 
were  spared.  The  French  ships  were  ringed,  gallies  ouilt, 
bombs  and  bullets  cast,  fascines  and  gabions  prepared,  and 
the  militia  disciplined  and  called  to  arms.     From  the  in-  Prepara- 
habitants  of  the  country,  M.  Levi  raised  eight  complete  ^'o"*"*"*** 
battalions.     Of  the  colonists,  he  formed  forty  companies  ^"^'"y- 
into  regiments. 

General  Murray  had  certain  intelligence,  that  the  French 
general  was  determined  to  undertake  the  siege  of  Quebec, 
as  soon  as  the  river  should  be  clear  of  ice,  so  that  the  frig- 
ates and  other  vessels  could  act.  He  knew  that  by  these 
iic  would  be  able  entirely  to  command  the  river. 

Ill  the  mean  time,  the  garrison  had  suffered  so  much  by 

r  3    - 


^ 


n-« 


IlISTORV  OF 


Chap.  XX. 


1 700. 
t 


,'arri- 


iun. 


Hf»oK  ff.  (lif^  rxtrrmc  coldness  of  the  winfrr,  in  that  northern  cli- 
my('",  ami  for  the  want  of  vp^ctablcs  and  fresh  provisions, 
thai  hcfor*'  the  cud  of  April,  one  thousand  of  them  wcr*- 
dead,  of  the  scurvy  and  other  disorders.!  The  general, 
notwithstaiidinc;,  detached  parties,  who  surprised  the  ene- 
my's posts  at  St.  Augustine,  Maison,  Brubec,  and  Le  Cal- 
vairc.  Nearly  a  hundred  prisoners  were  taken.  After- 
wards, the  h'ght  infantry  were  dispatched  to  take  possession 
of  Capo  Rouge,  and  to  fortify  it,  to  prevent  the  encniv 
from  landing  at  that  post,  and  to  be  near  at  hand,  to  watch 
their  motions.  Besides,  considering  the  city  as  only  a 
strong  cantonment,  he  projected  a  pfen  of  defence,  by  ex- 
tending his  lines,  and  entrenching  his  troops,  on  the  height'^ 
of  Abraham,  at  the  distance  of  about  a  hundred  and  sixty 
rods  from  the  city.  These  com-  landed  its  ramparts,  and. 
by  a  small  force,  might  have  been  defended  against  a  for 
midablc  enemy.  Fascinrs,  and  every  article  necessary  for 
the  purpose,  had  been  prepared.  In  April,  the  men  began 
to  work  on  the  projected  lines ;  but  the  ground  was  so  fro- 
zen, that  it  was  found  hirpracticaWe  to  carry  the  design  into 
exrciition* 
Tlwemmy  No  sooner  w-as  the  frost  abated,  so  as  to  favour  the  dc- 
advance.  gjg,jg  ^f  jjjg  enemy,  than  his  provisions,  ammunition,  and 
heavy  baggage,  fell  down  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  under 
the  convoy  of  six  frigates,  of  from  forty-four  to  twenty-six 
guns.  The  river  was  now  wholly  under  his  command. 
This  was  a  circumstance  of  great  importance,  as  to  the 
success  of  his  enterprise.  The  enemy  landed  at  such  pla- 
ces as  suited  his  convenience.  The  British,  abandoning 
their  posts,  on«  after  another,  retired  into  the  city. 

On  the  night  of  the  twenty-sixth  of  April,  the  main  army 
of  the  enemy  landed  at  Point  au  Tremble.  It  consisted  ot 
five  thousand  regular  troops,  six  thousand  Canadians,  and 
four  or  five  hundred  Indians.*  The  numbers  were,  after- 
wards, considerably  increased.t  On  the  intelligence  of 
the  enemy's  approach,  general  Murray  orderedf  all  the 
bridges  over  the  river  Caprouge  to  be  broken  down,  and 
"  '  secured  the  landing  places  at  Sillery  and  Toulon.  The 
'  next  day,  perceiving  it  was  the  design  of  the  French  gene- 

ral to  cut  off  his  outposts,  which  had  not  yet  been  called 
in,  he  marched  out  in  person,  with  two  field-pieces  j  and, 
taking  possession  of  an  advantageous  situation,  defeated 
the  design.  Having  withdrawn  his  detachments,  he  re- 
tired, with  little  loss,  into  the  city. 

^  Rider's  Hist.  vol.  xlvi.  p.  168,  169,  aod  governor  Murray's  letter  to 
Mr.  Secretary  Pitt. 

*  Wright's  Hist.  vol.  ii.  p.  2oG,  and  Rider's,  vol.  xlvi.  p.  169, 170. 

t  General  Murray,  in  his  letter  to  (lie  ministry,  says  lie  was  besieged 
l)y  l.'ijOOOmeu. 


'HAP.  XX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


419 


As  the  Biiiibh  troops  had  been  in  the  habit  of  victory.  Book  11. 
.111(1  they  had  a  fine  train  oi'  artillery,  general  Murray  de-  v-^^v^v^ 
ermined  rather  to  risk  a  general  battle,  than  tamely  to    1760. 
Mibmit  to  the  damages  ancl  hardships  of  a  siege.     Accord- 
ingly, on  the  twenty-eighth  of  April,  he  marched  out,  with 
a  train  of  twenty  field-pieces,  and  the  whole  number  of  his 
« llective  men,  amounting  to  three  thousand  only.     These 
lormed  on  the  heights  in  the  best  order.     On  reconnoiter- 
iiig  the  enemy,  he  perceived  that  their  van  was  taking  pos-  Battlo  oi' 
^cssion  of  a  rising  ground  in  his  front,  and  that  the  main  ^' '"food, 
army  was  marching  in  a  sir)gle  column,  unformed.     Judg- 
ing this  to  be  the  lucky  moment,  he  advanced  immediately 
10  the  attack,  before  they  had  formed  their  lino.  The  Eng- 
lish charged  the  van  of  the  enemy  so  furiously,  both  on 
their  right  and  left,  as  soon  drove  them  from  the  eminences, 
though  they  were  well  maintained.    The  van  of  the  French 
gave  way,  and  fell  back  on  the  main  body,  which  was 
forming  to  support  them.     This  checked  the  pursuit  of  the 
English.     The  light  infantry  were  now  ordered  to  regain 
the  flanks  of  the  enemy ;  but  they  were  so  furiously  char- 
ged in  the  attempt,  that  they  were  obliged  to  retire  into 
ine  rear,  in  such  a  shattcre<l  condition,  that  they  could  not 
he  brought  up  again  during  the  action.  Otway's  regiment, 
from  the  body  of  reserve,  was  instantly  ordered  to  advance 
and  su?!iain  the  right  wing.     This  was  so  well  supported, 
fhat  the  repeated  attempts  of  the  enemy  to  penetrate  it, 
were  in  vain.     Meanwhile,  the  left  brigade  of  the  English 
dispossessed  the  enemy  of  two  redoubts,  and,  for  a  long 
time,  with  prodigious  resolution,  sustained  the  whole  ef- 
forts of  his  right.     This  was  reinforced  by  the  third  bat- 
talion of  the  royal  Americans,  who  were  of  the  corps  de  re- 
serve, and  also  by  Kennedy's,  from  the  centre.     The  en- 
emy, however,  were  able,  by  a  steady  and  furious  fire,  not 
only  to  support  their  centre,  but  to  wheel  round,  and  pour 
in  such  fresh  and  repeated  force  upon  the  flanks  of  the 
English,  that,  notwithstanding  every  exertion  of  military 
art  and  prowess,  the  enemy  began  to  encompass  them  in  a 
semicircle ;  and,  pouring  in  upon  the  left  a  fresh  regiment, 
(that  of  de  Rousillon,)  after  they  were  fought  down,  and  re- 
duced to  a  handful  in  that  quarter,  they  penetrated   tha| 
wing  of  the  English  army,  and  threw  it  into  confusion. 
The  disorder  was  soon  communicated  to  the  right ;  and  it 
appeared  that  tKore  was  the  utmost  danger  that  the  army 
would  be  surrounded,  and  taken^    As  speedy  a  retreat  as  The  En^?- 
possible  became  necessary.     In  this  there  were  such  diffi-  lifh  are  de- 
culties,  as  nothing  but  the  magnanimity  of  the  troops,  and  ''^'*^*='^" 
the  spirit  and  skill  of  their  general  and  his  officers,  could 


in 


■::,ll 

I' 


I 


V 


',i' 


420 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  X\. 


Book  IF.  overconir.  They  finally  gained  Quebec.  As  the  action 
\^r>r^^^  continued  an  hour  and  three  quarters,  with  great  exertion 
1760.  and  spirit  on  both  sides,  the  loss  was  very  considerable. 
The  English  lost  most  of  their  artillery,  and  had  not  less 
than  a  thousand  men  killed  and  wounded,  about  one  third 
of  their  whole  number.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  sup- 
posed to  be  more  than  double  that  number.* 

General  Murray's  engaging  with  such  superior  numbers, 
in  the  open  field,  when  he  might  have  acted  with  greater 
security  in  a  fortified  city,  has  been  censured,  as  savouring 
more  of  youthful  impatience,  and  over  abounding  courage, 
than  of  that  military  discretion  which  ought  to  have  dis- 
tinguished a  commander  in  his  critical  situation.  The 
reasons  given  by  Mr.  Murray  for  his  conduct,  are  said,  by 
the  British  historian,  to  be  incomprehensible.  It  is  not 
improbable  that,  as  he  was  a  man  of  the  most  ardent  and 
intrepid  courage,  passionately  desirous  of  glory,  and  emu- 
lous of  the  character  of  the  incomparable  Wolfe,  that  he 
designed,  by  one  bold  stroke,  so  to  disable  the  enemy,  as 
lo  pave  the  way  to  the  conquest  of  Canada,  by  his  own 
force ;  and,  by  this  means,  to  raise  himself  to  the  height  ot 
military  glory.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  was  indeed  an  unhap. 
py  affair.  For  a  short  time,  it  exceedingly  elated  the 
French,  botb  in  Europe  and  America.  The  blow  was,  in- 
deed, sensibly  felt  by  the  English  in  both  countries.  U 
was  not  expected  that  the  garrison,  after  such  a  defeat, 
would  hold  out  any  considerable  time.  The  English  fleet 
was  at  a  great  distance,  and  general  Amherst  could  afford 
no  immediate  assistance.  The  acquisition  and  defence  of 
Quebec,  in  less  than  a  year,  had  cost  the  nation  more  than 
three  thousand  lives,  besides  a  vast  expense  of  money. 
Were  this  now  to  be  retaken,  it  would  all  have  been  loss. 
The  sanguine  hopes  that  Canada  would  I":  conquered  the 
next  campaign,  must  all  be  broken  and  vanish. 

The  French,  whose  only  hope  of  success  depended  on 
theaccoTiplishment  of  their  work  before  the  arrival  of  a 
British  squadron,  lost  not  a  moment  in  improving  their 
victory.  The  very  night  succeeding  the  victory,  trenches 
were  opened  against  the  town.  Thre*»  ships  anchored  at  o 
small  distance  below  their  camp,  and  for  several  days 
were  employed  in  landing  their  cannon,  mortars  and  am- 
munition. At  the  same  time,  the  enemy  worked  incessant- 
ly in  their  trenches  before  the  town.  On  '.he  llth  of  May, 
they  opened  one  bomb  battery,  and  three  batteries  of  can- 
non. The  first  day,  they  cannonaded,  the  town  with  great 
vivacity. 

-  Generfil  Murray,  ia  hie  tetter  to  Mr.  Fitt,  estimates  it  at  250Q. 


I^uebec 
besieged 
by  the 
French. 


^HAP.  XX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


42t 


Genrral  Murray  \s"as  not  less  active  in  his  defence  of  the  Book  H. 
(own,  than  the  enemy  were  in  the  siege.  The  defeat  which  ^^-n^^.^ 
he  had  siifleied,  served  only  to  rouse  him  to  more  strenu-  I7G0. 
oiis  exertions.  He  was  deeply  sensible,  that  if  Quebec 
should  be  retaken,  it  would  be  imputed  to  the  rashness  of 
his  counsels.  He  knew  that  in  proportion  to  the  liberali- 
ty with  which  the  public  had  heaped  honors  upon  the  men 
who  had  conquered  it,  they  would  not  fail  to  pour  resent- 
ment and  reproach  on  the  man  by  whom  it  should  bo  lost. 
It  did  not  escape  his  reflection,  that  nothing  makes  a  worse 
figure  than  unfortunate  rashness.  These  iaeas  pressed  hini 
on  to  vigilance  and  activity  in  the  defence  of  the  city.  Ho 
prosecuted  with  the  utmost  vigor,  the  fortifications  which 
had  been  suspended  by  the  severity  of  the  winter.  The 
soldiers,  by  his  example  and  influence,  exerted  themselves 
with  incredible  firmness  and  activity.  Out  works  wen: 
contrived,  and  on  the  ramparts  were  mounted  an  hundred 
and  thirty-two  pieces  of  artillery.  Bv  the  time  that  the 
enemy's  batteries  opened,  the  English  were  able  to  main- 
tain such  a  superior  fire,  as  greatly  to  check,  and  almost 
to  silence  them.  The  French  were  very  deficient  as  to  the 
number  of  their  cannon  and  weight  of  their  metal.  Their 
heaviest  cannon,  it  seems,  were  out  twelve  pounders. 

But,  notwithstanding  these  circumstances,  the  relief  of 
the  city  depended  on  the  early  arrival  of  the  English  fleet. 
This  was  looked  for,  with  anxious  expectation,  every  hour. 
It  was  the  general  expectation,  that  should  a  French  fleet 
arrive  before  the  English,  this  important  acquisition  must 
be  lost. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  English  admirals,  as  soon  as  the 
season  would  admit,  got  into  the  river.  Lord  Colville, 
with  the  fleet  under  his  command,  sailed  from  Halifax,  on 
the  22d  of  April ;  but  he  was  retarded  by  thick  fogs,  con- 
trary winds,  and  shoals  of  ice  which  floated  down  the  river. 
Commodore  Swanton,  however,  who  had  sailed  from  Eng- 
land, with  a  small  reinforcement  for  Quebec,  with  two 
ships,  got  into  the  river  aind  landed  at  the  isle  of  Beck  the 
beginning  of  May*  Here  he  designed  to  wait  for  the  rest 
of  his  scmadron,  which  had  parted  from  him  on  his  pas- 
sage. But  the  Lowestofle,  qne  of  his  frigates,  got  into  the 
river  before  him,  and  on  the  ninth  of  May,  to  the  great 
joy  of  the  gpirrison,  anchored  in  the  bason.  This  gave 
them  the  intelligence  of  a  British  squadron  at  hand.  Ad- 
miral Swanton,  soon  receiving  the  news  that  Quebec  was 
besieged,  sailed  up  the  river  with  all  possible  expedition,  _ 
and,  on  the  evening  of  the  fifteenth,  cast  anchor  above  |i,|,*'j,,.  ^' 
Point  Levi.    General  Murray  wishing  for  relief,  express-  rive. 


422 
Book  II. 

1760. 


HISTORY  ov 


Chap.  XX. 


Frrnch 

iru^cd. 


Sicgp  rais- 
c<l,  Miiy 


General 
Assembly 
at  New- 
Ifaven, 
March  13. 


Gen.  Am- 
herst takes 
the  field. 

Flan  of  the 
campaign. 


cd  his  carnr-sttlcsiiT,  llir»l  iho  Ficnrh  squadron,  ahove  tlio 
town,  might  I;c  roinnvcd.  The  conimodoro,  (hprefore,  oi. 
dcred  two  frigatfs,  cnrly  the  next  morning,  to  slip  their  ca- 
bics,  and  attack  iho  ciirnjy's  llrct. 

No  sooner  wore  thry  in  motion,  than  the  French  ships, 
fled  in  the  utmost  disorder.  One  of  their  frigates  was 
driven  on  the  rocks  above  Cape  Diamond  ;  another  ratj  on 
.shore  at  Point  au  Tremble,  and  was  burned.  The  wholf; 
fleet  was  soon  destroyed  or  taken.  So  thunder  struck 
were  the  enemy,  at  this  disaster,  and  the  intelligence  of  an 
English  fleet  in  the  river,  that,  as  soon  as  the  darkness  ot 
the  night  favored  them,  they  raised  the  siege,  and  retrent- 
cd  with  ifie  greatest  precipitation  ;  leaving  their  artillery, 
implements,  provisions  and  whole  camp  standing.  Thiitv 
pieces  of  battering  cannon,  ten  field  pieces,  six  mortara, 
iheir  tents,  baggage,  stores,  and  the  whole  camp  equipagr, 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  English.  On  the  19th,  lord  Col- 
villc  arrived.  The  English  now  became  formidable  in 
that  quarter,  and  capable  of  ofl^ensive  operations.  The 
clouds  were  now  dissipated,  and  the  prospect  of  an  entire 
reduction  of  Canada,  once  more  brightened. 

While  these  things  were  transacted  in  Canada,  the  colo- 
nies  were,  with  great  zeal  and  union,  preparing  for  an  early 
campaign.  The  general  assembly  of  Connecticut,  con- 
vened on  the  thirteenth  of  March.  Mr.  Pitt's  letter  was 
communicated,  in  which  he  laid  open  his  majesty's  de- 
sign, to  complete  the  conquest  of  Canada,  and  that  he  re- 
quired the  spirited  exertions  of  the  colonies.  He  stated 
the  great  encouragement  they  had  still  to  exert  themselves, 
from  the  success  of  former  years.  General  Amherst  made 
the  same  requisition  this  year,  which  he  had  made  in  thr 
preceding  years.  The  assembly  therefore  voted,  to  raise 
four  regiments,  consisting  of  twelve  companies  each,  com- 
prising a  body  of  five  thousand  effective  men,  officers  in- 
cluded. It  resolved,  that  all  necessary  provision  should 
be  made  for  levying,  clothing  and  paying  them  :  and  that 
they  should  be  raised  with  all  possible  dispatch.  Major 
general  Lyman,  was  colonel  of  the  first  regiment,  and  com- 
mander of  the  whole.  The  other  officers  were  generally 
the  same  as  the  last  year.* 

General  Amherst  took  the  field  at  an  early  period  ;  anil 
found  himself  at  the  head  of  a  very  respectable  body  of 
men.  They  were  sufficient  for  three  formidable  armies. 
His  plan  was,  by  thi'ee  different  routes,  to  concentre  his 
whole  force  at  Montreal,  for  the  reduction  of  that  important 

*  The  chaplain*  were,  Beckwith  of  Lyme,  LeaTenworth  of  Wateroury, 
Pomeroy  of  Hebron,  and  Qeebe  of  Stratford. 


♦■  'A 


Chap.  XX; 


GONNECTICUT. 


423 


city,  where  almost  the  whofe  force  ofCanada  was  collect-  Book  11. 
td ;  and  whence  all  the  out  posts  received  their  supplies  v,,^^^^-^ 
ind  support.     The  capture  of  this,  would  be  the  fall  of    1760. 
ihem,  and  the  reduction  of  the  whole  country. 

To  effect  this,  he  detached  general  Haviland,  to  proceed 
with  an  army,  by  the  way  of  lake  George,  Crown  Point 
iiid  lake  Champlain,  to  the  place  of  genera!  rendezvous. 
At  the  same  time,  general  Murray  was  ordered,  with  all 
ihe  troops  which  could  be  spared  from  the  garrison  of 
Quebec,  to  advance  towards  Montreal,  by  the  river  St. 
Lawrence;  while  the  general  himself,  penetrated  into 
Canada,  by  lake  Ontario,  and  down  the  river  St,  Law- 
rence. To  second  these  measures,  captain  Loring  was  de- 
tached to  cruise  on  the  lake.  Two  armed  sloops  were 
prepared  for  the  same  purpose.  A  great  number  of  bat- 
teaux  and  small  vessels  were  built,  for  the  transportation 
of  the  troops,  artillery,  provisions,  ammunition,  imple- 
ments and  baggage  of  the  army.  At  an  early  period,  seve- 
ral regiments  were  sent  forward  from  Albany  to  Oswego, 
for  these  purposes,  and  to  make  all  necessary  preparations 
for  crossing  the  lake. 

In  June,  the  general  commenced  his  march  from  Sche- 
nectady, with  the  main  army,  and  proceeded  by  the  Mo- 
hawk and  Oneida  rivers,  to  Oswego.  In  less  than  three 
weeks  the  general  reached  this  post  with  his  whole  army. 
This  consisted  of  ten  thousand  regular  and  provincial 
troops,  and  one  thousand  Indians,  under  general  Johnson. 

Very  great  had  been  the  difficulties  already  surmount- 
ed, in  conducting  such  an  army,  with  its  artillery,  provis- 
ions and  military  stores,  through  that  vast  tract  of  country 
between  Albany  and  lake  Ontario.  Other  generals  had 
spent  whole  campaigns  in  accomplishing  less  than  genergil 
Amherst  had  done  already :  but,  greater  difficulties  still 
remained,  in  transporting  this  numerous  army,  with  its 
necessary  supplies,  in  open  boats  and  gallies,  across  that 
vast  lake,  and  down  the  numerous  rapids  of  a  mad  river. 
It  required  the  utmost  caution,  and  the  strictest  order,  lest 
they  should  fall  foul  of  each  other  ;  lest  they  should  ap- 
proach too  near  the  shore,  or  be  driven  too  far  out,  on  a 
sudden  squall  or  storn.,  seasonably  to  reach  the  land :  or 
lest  they  should  not  be  steered  and  pushed  forward  with 
such  exactness  as  to  shoot  the  falls  without  turning  side- 
ways, and  overseting  and  dashing  to  pieces  among  the 
rocks.  But  the  general,  whose  calm  and  steady  resolution 
was  not  unequal  to  the  difficulties  before  him,  made  all  his 
dispositions  with  that  admirable  method  and  regularity  of 
military  arrangenjent,  which  so  strongly  marked  tlic  cha- 


n 


't 


>-  '. 


•':N-i: 


424 


HISTORY  OV 


<-"AP.  XX. 


Book  II.  ractcr  ot  thai  great  commander.  Altera  detachment  from 
i^-v^>*/  the  army  had  been  sent  forward  to  remove  obstructions  in 
1 7G0.  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  and  to  find  the  best  place  for  the 
passage  of  the  boats  and  vessels,  the  army  embarked  ami 
passed  the  lake  without  any  misfortune.  The  general  re 
cciving  intellif^ence  that  one  of  the  enemy's  vessels  was 
aground,  and  disabled,  and  that  another  lay  o(T  Lagalcu 
determined,  with  the  utmost  dispatch,  to  go  down  the  river 
and  attack  Oswegatchie  and  isle  Royal. 

On  the  17th  of  August,  the  row  gallics  fell  in  Avith  thr. 
French  sloop  commanded  by  M.  dc  la  Brouuerie,  who,  ai- 
lor  a  smart  engagement,  surrendered  to  the  English  gallies. 
The  enemy  retired  with  great  precipitation  before  the  ar- 
my, until  it  arrived  in  the  neighbourhood  of  isle  Royal. 
This  was  immediately  so  completely  invested,  that  the 
garrison  had  no  means  of  escaping.     By  the  23d,  two  bat- 
teries were  opened  against  the  fort,  and  it  was  cannonaded 
by  these,  in  concert  with  the  row  gallies  iti  the  river.    Dis- 
Wc  Royal  positions  having  been  made  for  a  general  attack,  M.  Pon- 
Mirrenders,  chant,  the  conAuander,  beat  a  parley  and  surrendered  the 
Aug.  25.    |-^j.j  ^^  terms  of  capitulation. 

As  this  was  a  post  of  singular  importance,  both  to  com- 
mand the  lake  Ontario,  and  to  protect  the  frontiers  of  the 
colonies,  the  general  spent  some  time  in  repairing  the  fort, 
in  making  every  preparation,  and  taking  every  precaution 
in  his  power  for  passmg  his  troops  down  the  river  to  Mon- 
treal. As  all  the  falls  lie  between  this  post  and  the  city, 
this  was  by  far  the  most  dangerous  part  of  the  enterprise. 

About  the  same  time  general  Haviland  took  possession 
of  the  isle  Aux  Noix  and  by  the  most  direct  route  was  cross- 
ing the  country  to  the  St.  Lawrence.  General  Murray, 
with  the  Britisn  fleet,  was  advancing  up  the  river,  and  sub- 
duing the  adjacent  country.  The  respective  armies  bore 
down  all,  before  them,  and  the  operations  of  the  campaign 
were  approaching  to  an  important  crisis. 

When  the  necessary  preparations  had  been  made,  gene- 
ral Amherst  proceeded  down  the  river;  but  notwithstanding 
Iirt?i  af  tlie  ^^'  ^'*  precaution  in  passing  the  rapids,  the  stream  was  so 
f'Hiis  in  the  violent,  that  numbers  of  the  batlcauxand  whale-boats  turn- 
.si.  Law-   cd  over  and  went  down  sideways,  and  were  dashed  in  pie- 
ces on  the  rocks.     About  ninety  men,  nearly  fifty  batteaux, 
seventeen  whale-boats  and  one  galley,  some  artillery,  pro- 
visions and  ammunition  were  lost*     This  was  indeed  to  be 
lamented,  but  considering  the  greatness  of  the  embarka- 
tion, and  the  extreme  dimculties  to  be  encountered,  the  loss 
was  not  very  considerable.      Without  any  further  misfor- 
tune, after  a  tedious,  fatiguing  and  dangerous  march  anJ 


rtnco. 


Thap.  XX. 


CONNECTICUT. 


42: 


voyaj^c  of  two  months  and  seventeen  days,  after  its  dcpar-  Dook  II. 
itirc  from  Schenectady,  the  army-  with  great  joy,  saw  the  v,^-v-^^ 
ci(y  of  Montreal,  the  object  of  their  ardent  wishes,  and  the    1 760. 
happy  period  of  their  labours  and  dangers*     The  troops  Army  ar- 
wcrc  immediately  landed  in  the  best  order.     No  opposi-  jy|o„\"Jai 
tion  was  made,  excepting  from  some  Rying  parlies,  who,  gopt.  Qthl 
after  exchanging  a  few  shot,  And  with  precipitation.     The 
general  marched  about  six  miles  from  the  landing  place* 
and  drew  up  his  army  on  a  plain  before  the  city.     There 
it  lay  upon  its  arms  during  the  night. 

So  remarkably  had  providence  guided  the  motions  of 
the  several  armies,  that  though  they  pursued  long  and  dif- 
ferent routes,  through  the  enemy's  country,  in  which  they 
had  numerous  difficulties  to  encounter,  and  in  which  they 
could  have  no  intelligence  of  each  others'  operations,  they 
all  met  at  the  same  time,  at  the  place  of  general  rendez- 
vous. General  Murray  landed  on  the  island,  the  same 
day  that  general  Amherst  took  possession  of  it :  and  gen-  ^J^rmT 
oral  Haviland,  with  the  army  under  his  command,  appear- juoctiont 
cd  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  opposite  to  the  city. 

General  Amherst  had  given  orders,  that  the  cannoa 
should  be  immediately  brought  on  from  the  landing  place, 
at  La  Chine  ;  and  in  the  morning  determined  to  invest  the 
town.  But,  as  soon  as  the  morning  appeared,  the  Mar- 
quis Vaudreuille,  governor  of  Canada,  finding  himself  com- 
passed with  armies,  addressed  a  letter  to  general  Amherst, 
demanding  a  capitulation.  After  several  letters  had  pass- 
ed between  the  general  and  governor,  the  demand  was 
granted.  The  terms  were  such  as,  while  they  were  hu- 
mane and  favorable  to  the  French,  did  honor  to  the  Brit- 
ish arms  and  nation. 

The  Marquis  Vaudreuille  had  done  every  thing  for  the 
defence  of  Canada,  which  became  a  vigilant  and  magnan- 
imous officer.  When  all  hope  of  the  recovery  of  Quebec 
iailed  him,  he  fixed  his  head  quarters  at  Montreal,  and  us- 
ed every  art  and  exertion  for  its  preservation.  He  not  on- 
ly levied  forces,  collected  magazmes,  and  erected  new  for- 
tifications on  the  Island,  but  he  had  recourse  to  feigned  in- 
telligence, and  other  arts  of  delusion,  to  support  the  de- 
pressed spirits  of  the  Canadians.*  His  chief  hopes  were 
not,  however,  placed  in  the  greatness  of  his  strength,  nor 
in  his  various  arts,  but  in  the  difficulties,  which,  on  all 
sides,  attended  the  entrance  of  Canada.  He  flattered  him- 
self that,  after  the  general  sickness  and  defeat  of  the  garri- 
son at  Quebec,  there  would  be  little  danger  from  that  quar- 

*  See  his  circular  letter  to  the  militia  of  Caaada,  preserved  io  Rider's 
Ilinofy  of  England.     Vol.  xl\i. 

D  3 


t.\ 


'i'2n 


IlISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XX 


Montreal, 
with  all 

f.-ivtii  up, 
isept.  8lh. 


i5o()!<  II.  If  r.  Ilr  know  ilic  great  diblanrc  l*rt\vcpii  Albany  and 
«..^-^>^  Moiili'iil,  by  (he  way  of  Oswc;^*)  and  i!n'  St.  Lawrence,  and 
ITiO.  'he  ainioht  itiMjpi  table  diUiciiltios  of  conducting  an  army 
down  so  many  rifts  and  rapids,"  as  there  were  in  that  river 
iciwci'ii  li'ke  Ontario  and  Montreal.  These,  in  conjunc- 
iion  with  the  impenetrable  woods,  morasses  and  moun- 
tains, wiiich  covered  the  country  throVigh  which  the  ar- 
mies t'roni  New-York  and  New-England  must  pass,  he  hop- 
» d  would  so  retard  their  operations,  and  protract  the  war, 
that  a  general  pacification  would  finally  save  the  country. 
IJut  when  he  saw  the  three  armies,  notwithstanding  all 
these  ditliculties,  forming  a  junction  before  the  town,  con- 
sisting of  more  than  twenty  thousand  men,  all  his  hopes 
weie  d.ashed,  and  he  perceived  that  his  only  safety  Was  in 
capitulation.  The  extend  of  the  country  was  so  great,  the 
niteresls  of  the  people,  and  the  objects  of  the  treaty  were 
so  many,  that  it  made  the  capitulation  a  work  of  consider- 
able time.  It  consisted  of  nearly  sixty  articles ;  but  on  the 
eighth  of  September  it  was  completed. 

By  this,  not  only  Montreal,  but  all  the  othe;-  Frencli 
posts  in  Canada,  with  the  whole  country,  were  surrender- 
ed to  the  crown  of  Great  Britain.  All  the  troops  in  Mon- 
treal, and  in  the  other  posts,  were  allowed  the  honors  ol 
war,  and  were  to  be  treated  strictly  as  prisoners  ;•  but  to 
be  sent  directly  to  France,  on  condition  of  their  not  serv- 
ing iluring  the  war.  The  capitulation  secured  to  the  in- 
haoitants,  of  every  character,  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  Ro- 
man Catholic  religion,  personal  safety,  and  property  of  ev- 
ery kind. 

Montreal  is  the  second  place  in  Canada,  for  extent, 
numbers,  buildings,  commerce,  strength,  and  opulence, 
it  stands  on  an  excellent  and  well  cuUiv&ted  island,  about 
ten  leagues  in  length,  and  nearly  four  in  its  greatest  breadth. 
The  city  is  built  in  a  quadrangular  form,  on  the  bank  of 
the  river  St.  Lawrence.  The  bank  gently  rising,  divides 
the  city  into  the  lower  and  upper  towns.  Though  the  as- 
cent from  the  lower  to  the  upper  town  is  so  gradual  as  to 
be  scarcely  perceivable,  yet  when  you  have  reached  the 
citadel  in  the  upper,  it  appeaiTs  entirely  to  overlook  them 
both,  and  to  command  the  river  and  the  adjacent  Country. 
The  city,  by  reason  of  its  central  situation,  between  Quo 
bee  and  lake  Ontario,  became  the  grand  resort  of  the  In- 
dian traders,  and  depot  of  their  commerce.  As  it  is  moro 
than  three  degrees  south  of  Quebec,  and  as  the  river,  in 
its  whole  extent,  from  that  city  to  this,  inclines  considera- 
bly to  the  south,  the  country  is  far  more  pleasant,  and  the 
seasons  more  clement,  thaai  at  the  capital.    Father  Cliai 


Descrip- 
tion of 
ftiontreal 


i'llAP.  XX, 


CONNECTICUT. 


;  IS  mole 


Irvoix  says,  "  After  passing  Richlicu  islnnch,  one  would  Rook  If. 
ihink  he  were  transported  into  another  ciiniaic.     Th(>  airv,^-^v^v^ 
liecome:)  softer  and  more  temperate,  the  rountry  more  lev-    |7G0. 
r\.  the  river  more  pleasant,  and  the  bank^  infinitely  more 
j)leasant  and  delightful." 

Before  the  war,  the  for?! '  itions  of  this  city  were  mcori 
and  inconsiderable  :  and  though  auditions  had  been  mado 
since,  yet  there  was  nothing  to  render  the  capture  of  it  an 
enterprise  of  any  great  difficulty,  except  that  of  leading  an 
army  through  such  a  prodidous  and  difficult  tract  of  coun- 
try, as  the  English  were  ooligcd  to  pass,  that  they  might 
appear  before  it ;  and  that  here  was  collected  all  the  regu- 
lar, and  most  of  the  provincial  force  of  Canada. 

General  Amherst  had  the  honor  and  good  fortune  ofsur-^bicrva- 
mounting  all  difficulties,  and  of  making  such  dispositions,  Jh^g"con. 
as  that,  almost  without  the  shedding  of  blood,  to  complete  ,,ucii. 
the  conauest  of  Canada.    Thus,  in  a  little  morcthan  a  cen- 
tury ana  an  half  from  its  first  settlement,  in  the  sixth  year 
of  the  war,  after  six  general  batdes,  this  vast  country  was 
completely  conquered,   by  the  conjoined  arms- of  Great- 
Britain  and  her  colonics.     This  conquest,  if  we  consider 
the  extent  and  difficulty  of  the  operations  by  which  it  was 
effected,  the  number  of  inhabitants,*  the  greatness   and 
fertility  of  the  country  subdued,  the  safety  it  gave  to  the 
English  colonies  in  America,  and  the  transfer  of  the  whole 
Indian  trade  to  the  merchants  of  Great-Britain,  appears  to 
Jjave  been  one  of  the  most  important,  ever  achieved  by  the 
English  arms. 

The  accomplishment  of  so  great  a  work,  with  so  little  On  tii(,> 
bloodshed,  without  a  sinde  instance  of  rashness  or  inhu-  S«»eral. 
manity,  without  any  considerable  accident  or  misfortune, 
while  it  reflected  the  highest  military  honor  on  the  comman- 
der in  chief,  did  equal   honor  to  the  humanity  and  good- 
ness of  his  heart.     It  must  be  allowed,  that  he  was  pecu- 
liarly happy,  in  having  subordinate  commanders,  who, 
with  such  ability  and  vi^or,  seconded  him  in  all  his  opei*a 
lions;  aiid  in  commanding  a  body  of  regular  and  provin- 
cial troops,  whom  no  labors  could  discourage,  and  whom 
no  dangers  could  dismay. 

After  all,  the  principal  honor  is  to  be  ascribed  to  the  Su-  On  Prow 
preme  Ruler,   whose  all-governing  agency  directed  the  ^"''' ,. 
whole  series  of  these  successful  events.     He  only  could 
harmonize  and  direct  so  many  hearts  and  circumstances, 
in  Europe  and  America,   by  land  and  sea,  as  combined 
their  influence  in  this  happy  event.      He  never  want-s 

*  These,  at  the  time  of  tUie  conquest,  were  estimated  at  more  than 
100,000. 


,i.-r?  ^' 


i. 


I 

I-  ''If 


428 


HISTORY  OF 


ClIAP.  XX. 


Book  II.  means  to  accomplish  his  own  purposes.     When,   in   his 

^^"^''^^  moral  government,  great  events  are  to  be  cflected,  he  will 

1760.    qualify  and  call  forth  instruments,  and  guide  their  counsclK 

and  operations,  to  the  accomplishment  of  his  designs.     A 

Moses,  Joshua,   David  and  Cyrus,  will  never  be  waniini;, 

when  the  emergencies  of  his  people  call  for  such  aids. 

The  repairing  and  garrisoning  of  the  several  forts,  the 
removing  the  French  troops  from  Detroit  and  Michilimaki. 
nack  }  and  the  replacing  them  with  English  garrisons  ;  the 
preserving  of  a  communication  between  the  various  distant 
parts ;  and  the  securing  of  the  obedience  of  the  country  ; 
made  it  necessary  that  general  Amherst,  and  the  other 
grnerals  of  the  army,  should  return  by  the  same  routes 
which  they  had  taken  to  form  a  junction  at  Montreal.  This, 
for  the  commander  in  chief,  was,  in  some  respects,  more 
laborious  and  difficult,  than  it  had  bceq  to  conduct  the  ar- 
my to  the  place  of  conquest.  His  shipping,  boats,  artille- 
ry and  baggage,  were  to  be  carried  back  against  the  stream, 
into  lake  Ontario.  This  laborious  and  difficult  service 
kept  the  army  in  constant  fatigue,  during  the  remainder 
of  the  campaign,  and  protracted  it  nearly  to  the  beginning 
of  winter. 

While  general  Amherst  was  performing  these  important 
services  in  Canada,  the  enemy  sustained  a  considerable 
loss  in  the  bay  of  Chaleurs.  The  French  court,  not  insen- 
sible of  the  importance  of  their  settlements  in  Canada,  nor 
of  the  danger  in  which  they  were,  at  that  time,  had  fitted 
out  an  armament  of  three  frigates  and  twenty  transports, 
with  troops  and  military  stores,  as  a  reinforcement  for  Mon- 
treal. They  hoped  to  get  into  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  be- 
fore an]^  of  the  English  shipping,  and  by  this  means  to  ef-. 
feet  their  design.  But  on  their  arrival  in  the  bay,  they  re- 
ceived the  intelligence,  that  lord  Colvflle's  fleet  had  got 
into  the  river  before  them,  and  that  it  was  entirely  under 
his  command.  They  therefore  disembarked  and  formed  a 
little  settlement  on  the  bay,  determining,  if  possible,  to 
make  their  way  to  the  main  army  by  land.  But,  in  the 
course  of  the  summer,  they  were  discovered  by  lord  By- 
ron,  who  was  in  the  bay  with  three  ships  of  the  line.  He 
took  the  whole  armament,  and  broke  up  the  settlement. 
Thus,  whatever  the  eneihy  attempted,  in  America,  was  at- 
tended with  loss  and  disappointment. 

Great  and  universal  was  the  joy,  which  spread  through 
the  English  colonies,  especially  through  New-England,  on 
the  conquest  of  Canada,  which,  for  more  than  a  century, 
had  occasioned  so  much  alarm,  such  an  expense  of  blood 
ixi\(i  treasure  tq  them^  as  well  as  to  the  sister  colonies.    Ma  • 


LHAI'.  XXI. 


CONNKCTICLT. 


4:9 


ny  had  been  their  own  and  their  forefuihcrs  fastings  ami  Hook  If. 
prayers  for  this  great  event.     Now   thfy  conceived  th.n  v-*^^^'^^ 
they  were  fidly  answered.     Days  of  public  thank.Hjjiving    I7(j0. 
were  generally  appointed  in   New-Kngland,  to  reco^ni/c  Ci'n.mi 
the  divine  goodness,  and  ascribe  due  honors  itj  IIim,  whose  -^''^'^''T 
is  the  greatness  and  the  victory,  and  whose  kingdom  niW  ih  iiavi  d. 
over  all.*     The  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  at  their  Oct.  nop. 
usual  session  in  October,  resolved  that  a  letter  of  con- 
gratulation, and  of  thanks,  be  presented  to  his  majesty, 
congratulating  him,  on  the  success  of  his  arms  in  the  va- 
rious cjuarters  of  the  world,  and  especially  in  North-Ame- 
rica ;  in  the  entire  conquest  of  Canada,  and  the  submission 
of  that  extensive  country  to  his  majesty's  government. 
They  rendered  their  thanks  for  his  paternal  care  of  the  col- 
onics ;  and  especially  for  his  royal  care  and  beneficence 
towards  his  colony  of  Connecticut.      They  also  ordered 
that  a  letter  of  congratulation  and  thanks  should  be  ad- 
dressed to  general  Amherst,  congratulating  him  on  the  suc- 
cess of  his  majesty\s  arms,  under  his  immediate  care  and 
command,  and  returning  him  the  thanks  of  the  colony  for 
{lis  wise  conduct  and  care  over,  and  protection  of  the  prOf 
vincial  troops,  and  especially  of  those  of  the  colony  of 
Connecticut,  .    ..    , 


r:  CHAPTER  XXI.  T 

War  with  the  Cherokeeg.  Reasons  of  the  war.  7%e  chief  > 
tains  of  the  nation  go  to  Charleston  to  treat  of  peace.  The 
haughty^  insidious  conduct  of  governor  Littleton,  Peace 
made  by  constraint.  The  whole  nation  bum  with  resent- 
ment f  rush  to  war  as  one  man.  Make  terrible  slaughter 
and  devastation  on  the  frontiers  of  Carolina  and  Virgin- 
ia, Their  lower  towns  destroyed.  They  take  fort  Lou- 
don, Colonel  Grant  desolates  their  country  with  fire  and 
sword.     They  make peace^and  the  whole  country  is  quiet ed,. 

WHILE  the  northern  colonies,  and  the  nation  in  gen- 
eral, were  rejoicing  in  the  success  of  his  majesty's 
arms,  and  especially  in  the  conquest  of  Canada,  some  of 
the  southern  colonies  were  exceedingly  distressed  by  the 

*  A  special  thanksgiviog  was  appointed  on  that  account,  by  the  gov- 
ernorand  council,  and  religiously  observed  through  the  colony,  on  the  Stjd 
of  October,  1760. 


4jri 


JIISTOKV   Of 


^■"Ap.  XXI. 


'Rook  II.  su(Mrn  l/rcikint;  «)ut  ol  a  war  with  the  (lurokrcs.     Durin;. 

v-^'>^'^/  srvoral  of  ihc  fir>.!  yc.irs  of  the  war,  this  nutncrous  and  pow. 
I7f»0.     crfiil  nation  had  af)f)cari'd  rordiallv  to  espouse  fho  intfr- 

lUufonB  ofcsfs  of  the  Kui^iish.     At   their  desire,  a  fortress  had  hopn 

<lic  war,  |,„j|i  i„  til,.;,,  country,  caliod  fort  Loudon,  in  honour  to  ihf 
carl  of  Loudon,  at  that  time  commander  in  chief  in  AniiM-i- 
ca.  Parties  of  them  had  asbistcd  in  the  expedition  a^:(iIlv 
fort  du  Quesne.  But  it  seems  that  while  they  were  cn^uir. 
cd  in  that  enterprise,  they  were  treated  with  such  coolne.i^ 
and  neglect,  and  received  such  insults,  a«  made  deep  im- 
pressions on  the  minds  of  that  vindictive  people.*  These 
were  kindled  into  resentment  by  the  treatment  which  fliey 
received  from  a  number  of  Virginians  on  their  return  from 
that  expedition.  Many  of  the  warriors  had  lost  their  hors- 
es in  the  service ;  and  as  they  were  returning  home  through 
the  back  parts  of  Virginia,  they  caught  such  as  they  found 
running  loose  in  the  voods,  not  knowing  that  they  belong- 
ed to  any  individuals  in  the  province.  The  Virginians, 
without  seeking  redress,  fell  on  the  unsuspicious  wairiors. 
and  murdered  twelve  or  fourteen  of  them,  and  took  somo 
prisoners.  The  Cherokees  were  highly  exasperated  ai 
such  an  outrage,  from  allies  whose  frontiers,  by  ttieir  assis- 
tance, had  so  lately  been  turned  from  a  field  of  blood  into 
peaceful  habitations.  No  sooner  had  they  returned  than 
they  reported  to  their  nation  the  bloody  treatment  whicli 
they  had  received.  The  flame  of  resentment  and  revenge 
flew  instantly  through  their  towns.  The  relatives  of  the 
slain  were  implacable,  aud  breathed  nothing  but  vengeance 
against  such  ungrateful  and  perfidious  allies.  In  vain  did 
their  chieftains  interpose  their  authority.  Nothing  could 
restrain  the  fury  of  the  young  warriors.  They  rushed 
down  on  tiie  frontier  settlements,  and  perpetrated  many 
cruel  ravages  and  murders  on  the  defenceless  inhabitants.1 
About  two  hundred  soldiers  were  stationed  at  fort  Lou- 
don, under  the  command  of  captains  Dcmereand  Stewart. 
These,  on  every  excursion  from  the  fort,  were  attacked  by 
them.  Some  were  killed,  and  the  rest  were  soon  closely 
confined  within  the  fort.  All  communication  between  them 
and  the  distant  settlements  was  cut  off;  and  as  their  sup- 
plies were  scanty,  the  only  prospect  before  them  was  fam- 
ine and  death.  It  was  feared,  at  the  same  time,  that  the 
arfs  of  the  enemy  would  influence  the  powerful  neighbor- 
ing nation  of  tho  Creeks  to  the  same  hostile  measures. 

In  this  alarming  situation,  governor  Littleton  gave  or- 
ders to  the  commanders  of  the  militia  immediately  to  a^ 

"  Wright's  History  of  the  war,  vol.  ii.  p.  24t,  2 12. 

*•  tfie  lory  of  S.Carolina,  vol.  li.  p.  214,  21.1. 


C»/AP.  XXI. 


CONNECTICLT. 


i.ik 


\vm\>\o  ilHJrmrnfJnclnct  f  n  the  thfrnsivr.     Tlic  t;ov^rnor  Hook  11. 
(|(>(ci-niinc(l,  witli  such  im)(>pcii(ictit  ( oni|):iiiic!t  uikI  militia  -^^^/-^^ 
as  could  U"  raisid,  to  march  without  tielay  into  th«'  tiicmy'H    1 7G0. 
rountry,  and  to  prosecute  8uch  measures  as  should  hring 
\\\p\\\  to  roasomd)lc  terms  ofaccommcHlation. 

The   Cherokecs,  notwithstanding  what  h.ul  happened,  ChiMitnma 
wvrc  averse  to  war.      Therefore,  he  uing  of  the  pre[)ar.i-  ";""'  ♦" 
ions  makinjo;  against  them,   they  sent  thirty  of  their  ^'hicfj^j'^",,^" 
men  to  Charleston,  if  possible  to  settle  all  clilficullies,  and  trraiof 
prevent  a  war  with  the  Carolinians.     They  arrived  before  |Kace. 
tlic  governor  had  marched  on  his   designed  expedition 
against  them.     A  council  was  called,  and  the  governor 
icidresscd   them  in  a  very  haughty,   imprudent  manner, 
importing   that  he  knew  all  their  hostilities  against  tiie 
Knglish,    and  what  they  still  designed; — that  he  would 
50on  he  in  their  country  ; — that  they  should  know  his  de- 
mands ;  and  that,  unless  they  should  be  granted,  he  woultt 
take  satisfaction  by  force  of  arms.     He,  nevertheless,  gave 
(liem  full  assurance,  that,  as  they  were  come  to  Charles- 
ton as  friends,  to  treat  of  peace,  they  should  go  home  in 
safety,  and  that  a  hair  of  tneir  heads  should  not  be  touch- 
.  J.     At  the  same  time,  he  gave  intimations,  that  he  had 
so  many  men  in  arms,  in  various  parts  of  the  province, 
and   it  would  be  unsafe  for  them  to  return,  unless  they 
inarched  with  the  army,  which  was  going  into  the  country : 
thus  treacherously  putting  them  under  duress. 

Ouconnostota,  the  great  Indian  warrior  of  the  Cherokee  Perfidiou* 
nation,  began  an  immediate  reply ;  but  as  the  governor  conduct  of 
was  determined  that  nothing  should  prevent  his  expedition,  ^ttteton 
iic  would  neither  hear  him  speak  in  the  defence  of  his  na* 
tion,  nor  with  rt  ^|>ect  to  any  overtures  of  peace.     Lieu- 
tenant governor  Bull,  who  had  a  much  better  acquaintance 
with  the  manners  of  the  Indians,  and  the  dangerous  conse- 
([uences  of  an  h«dian  war,  urged  the  necessity  of  hearing 
ihe  great  warrior,  and  the  happy  consequences  of  an  ac- 
fommodation,  before  more  blood  should  be  shed.     But 
f^overnor  Littleton  was  inflexible,  and  put  an  end  to  the 
conference,  without  bearing  the  warriors.     This  treatment 
fired  them  with  the  highest  resentment.     Aftr'  >uch  a  num- 
ber of  them  had  travelled  more  than  three  liundred  miles, 
to  represent  their  grievances,  and  to  make  peace,  not  only 
to  be  disappointed  with  respect  to  the  great  object  of  thoir 
journey,  but  not  to  be  allowed  cvrn  to  speak  on  the  sub- 
ject, nor  even  to  return  at  liberty    but  under  the  guard  of 
the  army,  was  matter  of  prodigious  chagrin,  a  source  of 
jealousy  and  fear. 
Soon  after  the  conference,  the  governor  marched  for  the 


1 

HY 

■ 

vyy^ 

H 

^^^KV 

f  J 

HVH'j 

, '  M 

1  1     |K^ 

ii 

i^'nj 

1 

'f  1 

i'*\ 


432 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXI. 


Book  II.  Congnrro.  This  wag  about  a  hundred  and  forty  miles 
s^-^/"^^/  I'rom  Charleston,  and  the  place  appointed  for  the  general 
1760.  rendezvous  of  the  militia.  Hither  the  sachems  were  obli- 
ged to  march  with  the  army,  putting  on  the  appearance  of 
content,  while  inwardly  they  burned  with  the  most  furious 
resentment.  The  governor,  having  mustered  about  four- 
teen hundred  men,  of  whom  about  three  hundred  werr» 
regulars,  marched  for  fort  Prince  George.  When  the  army 
marched,  the  chieftains  were  all  made  prisoners,  and,  to 
prevent  their  escape,  a  captain's  guard  was  mounted  over 
them.  To  complete  the  indignity  and  ill  treatment,  when 
they  arrived  at  fort  Prince  George,  the  thirty-two  chief- 
tains were  shut  up  in  a  hut,  scarcely  fit  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  half  a  dozen  soldiers.  They  were  not  allowed  to 
speak  with  their  friends,  nor  to  see  the  light  of  day.* 

By  the  time  that  the  governor  arrived  at  this  post,  he 
found  his  army  to  be  so  illy  armed,  and  so  undisciplined 
and  mutinous,  that  he  judged  it  unsafe  to  proceed  against 
the  enemy,  jfere,  therefore,  he  opened  a  conference  with 
the  Indians.  For  this  purpose,  he  had  previously  sent  for 
Attakullakulla,  otherwise  Little  Carpenter,  who  was  not 
only  esteemed  the  wisest  man  in  the  nation,  but  the  most 
firmly  attached  to  the  English.  This  old  warrior,  though 
just  returned  from  an  excursion  against  the  French,  in 
which  he  had  taken  some  captives,  hastened  to  the  gover- 
nor's camp,  and  presented  him  with  one  of  them. 

The  governor  opened  the  conference  with  a  long  and 

f>ompous  speech,  representing  the  great  power  of  the  Eng- 
ish  nation ;  their  victories  over  the  French ;  the  treaties 
'  between  them  and  the  English,  and  their  violation  of  those 
treaties ;  and  the  power  of  the  colonies  to  destroy  them. 
In  a  menacing  and  high  tone,  he  demanded  satisfaction. 

Attakullakulla,  in  his  reply,  insisted,  that  the  ill  treat- 
ment his  countrymen  had  received  in  Virginia,  was  the  im- 
mediate cause  of  the  present  misunderstanding.  He  in- 
sisted on  his  friendship  to  the  English,  and  alledged,  in 
Iiroof  of  it,  his  fatiguing  march  against  their  enemies,  the 
'"rench.  He  said  he  would  ever  continue  his  friendship, 
and  use  all  his  intluence  that  the  governor  should  have 
satisfaction ;  but  gave  intimations  that  the  nation  would 
not  comply  with  his  demands.  He  said  that  the  governor 
had  treated  the  Cherokees  with  more  severity  than  the 
English  had  shewn  to  other  Indians.  He  requested  that, 
some  of  the  head  men,  whom  the  governor  had  confined, 
might  be  released,  to  assist  him  in  the  work  of  peace. 
In  compliance  with  his  request,  the  governor  released 
*  History  of  Carolina,  vol.  ii.  p.  216, 217,  218,  ^5. 


CbAP.xxr* 


CONNECTICUT. 


4sr 


ihe  great  warrirtr  Ouconnostota,  and  two  more  of  the  head 
men.  The  next  day  they  delivered  up  two  Indians.  The 
governor  put  them  immediately  in  irons,  which  so  alarmed 
the  Cherokees,  that  they  fled  out  of  his  way,  and  could  no 
more  be  obtained.  Attakullakulla,  convinced  that  peace 
could  not  be  made  on  the  governor's  terms,  determined  to 
return  home,  and  patiently  wait  the  event.  But  no  sooner 
was  the  governor  apprised  of  his  departure,  than  he  sent 
for  him  back  to  his  camp.  The  governor,  wishing  to  hnish 
the  campaign  with  as  much  credit  as  possible,  immediately, 
on  his  return,  talked  of  nothing  but  peace.  Articles  were 
drawn  and  signed  by  the  governor,  and  six  of  the  head 
men  ot  the  Cherokees.  All  former  treaties  were  confirm- 
ed. Twenty-two  of  the  chieftains,  whom  the  governor  had 
detained,  were  to  be  kept  as  hostages,  until  such  a  number 
of  Indians,  who  had  been  guilty  of  murder,  should  be  given 
up  to  the  chief  commander  of  the  province.  It  was  also 
stipulated,  that  there  should  be  an  open  and  free  trade,  as 
had  been  usual ;  and  that  they  should  kill,  or  take,  every 
P>enchman  who  should  come  among  them,  and.  hold  no  in- 
tercourse with  the  enemies  of  Great-Britain.* 

Scarcely  had  the  governor  finished  this  disingenuous 
and  forced  treaty,  when  the  small  pox  broke  out  in  his 
camp.  Few  of  the  army  had  ever  been  infected  with  the 
disease,  and  the  physicians  were  wholly  unprovided  for 
such  an  event.  The  men  were  struck  with  a  general  ter- 
ror, and,  with  the  utmost  haste,  returned  to  their  respective 
settlements.  Such  was  the  fear  which  each  had  of  his  fel- 
low, that  ail  intercourse,  on  the  return,  was  cautiously 
avoided.  By  this  means,  the  men  suffered  exceedingly 
with  hunger  and  fatigue.  The  governor  followed,  and  ar- 
rived soon  at  Charleston.  Here,  though  a  drop  of  blood 
had  not  been  shed,  nor  scarcely  any  thing  achieved  but 
what  was  perfidious  and  inglorious,  he  was  received  as  a 
conqueror.  From  different  societies  and  professions,  he 
received  the  most  flattering  '\ddresses.  By  illuminations 
and  bonfires,  the  citizens  expressed  the  high  sense  which 
they  entertained  of  his  services,  and  of  the  happy  conse- 
(juences  of  his  expedition. 

But  the  delusion  soon  vanished,  and  it  appeared  that  the 
governor,  by  his  conduct,  had  greatly  injured,  instead  of 
serving  the  public.  When  the  chieftains  came  to  Charles- 
ton, they  were  sincerely  desirous  of  peace.  An  accommo- 
dation might  have  been  effected,  on  terms  just  and  honour- 
able. But  by  the  treatment  which  he  gave  the  messengers 
of  peace,  the  nation  were  stung  to  the  heart.  An  Indian 
^Ridcr^s  History  of  EDgland,  vol.  xlvi.  p.  149,  150. 
E,  3 


Articles  of 
peace 
agreed  up- 
on, Dec. 
26th. 


ii^* 


:>l 


f  "111 


Small  pox 
breaks  out 
ia  the  ar- 
my. 


Mm 

m-4 


4)1 


HISTORY  OF 


f^HAP.  XXf. 


17G0. 


is  jli^rc- 
gatdecl 


Rook  H.  values  Wis  freedom  above  all  things,  and,  with  him,  a  breach 
of  promise  is  a  rrime  of  the  first  magnitude.  Though  no- 
thing appeared  agiiinst  thechiefmcn  of  the  Indians ;  though 
they  had  taken  a  journey  of  some  hundred  miles,  to  make 
peace;  and  though  the  governor  had  given  ample  promisr-i 
of  safely  and  good  treatment ;  yet  he  had  tfeachorously 
deprived  them  of  their  liberty,  and  treated  them  not  only 
with  perfidy,  but  inhumanity.  He  had  obtained  an  ap- 
pearance of  peace,  by  taking  one  of  those  base  and  unjus- 
tifiable advantages,  which  men  of  low  craft  and  policy 
sometimes  practice  against  weak  and  unsuspicious  neigh- 
bours. This  treatment  had  converted  the  desires  of  the 
Cherokees  for  peace,  into  the  bitterest  resentment,  ant! 
rage  for  war. 

AttakullakuUa,  by  reason  of  his  known  attachment  to 
the  English,  had  little  influence  with  his  countrymen.  Oii- 
<  onnotitota,  whose  influence  was  great,  was  now  become 
an  implacable  and  vindictive  enemy.  He  determined  to 
treat  the  governor  in  his  own  way,  and  to  repay  meanness 
Tiir  (iraty  and  perfidy  in  their  own  kind.  No  attention  was  paid  to 
the  treaty.  Ouconnostota,  collecting  a  strong  party,  killed 
fourteen  men  in  the  neighbourhood  of  fort  Prince  George. 
He  surrounded  the  fort,  and  confined  the:  garrison  to  their 
works.  Finding  that  he  could  make  no  impression  on  the 
fort,  he  had  recourse  to  a  stratagem,  to  surprise  the  garri- 
son, and  10  relieve  his  counlrymenj  who  were  held  there  in 
confinement. 

As  the  country  was  covered  with  woods  and  dark  thick- 
ets, it  was  favourable  to  his  purpose.     Having  concerted 
his  measures,  two  Indian  women,  who  were  known  always 
to  be  welcome  to  the  fort,  made  their  appearance  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  to  decoy  the  garrisoui     Lieutenant 
Bagherty  went  out  to  them,  to  inquire  the  news.     While 
they  were  conversing  with  the  women,  Ouconnostota  join- 
ed them,  and  desired  lieutenant  Doghcrty  to  call  the  com- 
manding officer,  saying,  that  he  had  matters  of  importance 
to  communicate  to  him.     Accordingly,  captain  Cotymore, 
ensign  Bell,  Dogherly,  and  Foster,  their  interpreter,  wen i 
out  to  him.     He  said  he  was  going  to  Charleston,  to  pro- 
cure the  release  of  the  prisoners,  atld  wished  for  a  white- 
man  for  a  safeguard.     The  captain  told  him  he  should 
Kc  decoys  have  a  ^afeguai'd.  No  sooner  had  hd  received  the  answer, 
ihccom-    ^'^^"^  turning  and  giving  a  signal,  nearly  thirty  guns  were 
mander  of  fired  from  different  ambuscades.     The  captain  was  killed, 
tlte  fort,     and  Bell  and  Foster  were  wounded.     In  consequence  ot 
m?!^'^***  this,  orders  were  given  that  the  hostages  should  be  put  in 
killed.       irons.     In  attemptitig  this,  one  of  the  soldiers  was  killed; 


«?*/ 


Ottconnofi- 
tofn's  stra 
twgcoi. 


s  killed: 


Cnw.  XXI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


13- 


nnd  another  woundod.     These  circumstance*  so  exa^po- H'^ok  II. 
rated  the  garrison,  that  ihey  fell,  with  one  consent,  on  the  v^'-v'sa/ 
unfortunate  hostages,  and  butchered  them,  in  a  n  annerlo.)    17i;(). 
>hocking  to  relate. 

In  the  evening,  the  Indians  approacut  J  ih.o  fort,  and, 
after  firing  signalguns,  and  crying  aloud  in  the  ChcrokiM; 
language,  "  Fight  manfully,  and  you  shall  be  assisted ;'' 
they  commenced  a  furious  attack  on  the  garrison,  and  kept 
Tip  their  fire  the  whole  night.  But,  they  were  so  wannly 
received,  they  were  obliged  io  give  over  the  assault. 

Disappointed  in  their  attempt  on  the  fort,  and  knowing  1'"^''''' 
rhat  the  nostages  were  slain,  they  wreaked  their  vengeaqce  ,[ain." 
on  the  English,  who  were  trading  in  their  country. 
These  they  butchered  to  a  man,  without  mercy  ordistinc- 
iion.  In  the  massacre  of  the  hostages,  the  Chsrokees  had 
not  only  lost  a  great  number  of  their  head  men,  but  most 
of  them  had  lost  a  relative  or  friend.  Nothing,  therefore, 
rould  exceed  the  resentment  and  rage  of  the  nation.  The 
leaders  of  every  town,  seized  the  hatchet,  proclaiming  to 
.their  fellows,  that  the  spirits  of  murdered  brothers  were 
living  round  them,  and  calling  for  vengeance  on  their  ene- ,_ 

;  ■4.     With  one  voice,   the  nation  declared  for  war.  becomes 

n-ge  parties,  from  different  towns,  rushed  down  on  de-gcncr.J. 
fenceless  families,  on  the  frontiers  of  Carolina,  and  men,  *  ^^ 
•wonien  and  children,  without  distinction,  fejl  a  sacrifice  to 
their  merciless  rage.  At  Long  Canes,  and  about  the  forks 
ojf  Broad  river,  they  made  horrible  carnage  among  the  inr 
ttabitants,  who,  trusting  4o  the  Jate  peace,  were  reposing 
in  perfect  security.*  ,,^  . 

About  two  hundred  of  the  enemy,  m^de  a  furious  attack  ^'' 
on  the  fort  at  Ninety-six ;  but  -they  were  obliged  to  retire 
with  considerable  loss.  Tl^i^j  they  revenged  on  the  open 
country,  ravaging  the  English  houses  in  that  quarter,  and 
fill  along  the  frontiers  of  Virginia.  They  were  aot  satis- 
fied,  barely  with  pillaging,  and  destroying  the  inhabitants, 
hut  they  wantoned  in  the  most  horrible  acts  of  barbarity. 
Many,  who  fled  into  the  woods  to  escape  the  scalping  knife, 
perished  with  hunger.  Those  who  were  made  prisoners, 
were  carried  into  the  wilderness,  where  they  suffered  in- 
credible hardships.  So  secret  and  sudden  were  the  mo- 
tions of  the  enemy,  that  it  was  impossible  to  tell  where  the 
storm  would  fall,  or  to  take  the  precautions  to  prevent  the 
mischief.  Every  day  brought  to  the  capital  fresh  ac- 
counts of  their  murders  and  desolations. 

Tlic  southern  colonies  were  all  alarmed,   and  applica^ 

*  Hift.  South-Carol'iua.,  vol.  ii.  p.  225,  229.    Ridefi  Hist,  of  Englaod, 
vol.  xlvi.  p.  Ij3;  156. 


hi 


'm 


'r  'm 


i 


¥ 


i 


u>a 


436 


HISTORY  OF 


^HAI'.  XXI. 


1760. 

Col.  Mont 
goniiry  is 
»ent  tu 
Carolina. 
i>rpiv(sin 
Ajiril. 


Conduct 
on  his  ar- 
rival. 


Book  II.  tion  was  made  in  the  most  prosBinj;  frrms  to  gcnrral  Am- 
herst, for  immcciialc  assistance,     ile  dispatched  colonc  I 
Montgomery  to  Carolina,  with  a  detachment  of  twelve  hun- 
-  drcd  chosen  men. 

On  his  arrival  at  Charleston,  he  advanced  to  Nincty-slx 
with  as  much  expedition  as  pos.sil)lr.     As  the  rcductiun  n( 
Canada  was  the  great  object  of  this  year's  campaign,  his 
orders  were  to  strike  a  sudden  blow,  for  the  relief  of  Caro- 
lina, and  then,  without  loss  of  time,  to  return  to  head  quar- 
ters, at  Albany.     Nothing  was  therefore  omiltcd  by  the 
colony,  which  was  judged  necessary  to  forward  the  expe- 
dition.    Governor  Littleton  had  been  appomted  governor 
of  Jamaica,  and  the  government  devolved  on  governor 
Bull,   a  man  of  erudition  and  integrity.     He  spared  nr 
pains  for  the  protection  of  the  province.     The  whole  force 
of  it  was  collected  and  rendezvoused  at  the  Congarees, 
for  the  assistance  of  the  colonel  in  the  enterprise.     Seve^ 
ral  gentlemen  of  fortune,  formed  themselves  into  a  compa- 
ny of  volunteers,  and  joined  the  army.     Apolication  had 
been  made  to  the  neighboring  colonies  of  North-Carolina 
and  Virginia,  for  assistance.     In  consequence  of  this,  sev- 
en companies  of  rangers  had  been  raised,  to  patrol  the 
frontiers,  and  to  prevent  the  savages  from  penetrating  far- 
ther down  among   the  settlements.     Presents  were  voted 
to  such  of  the  Creeks,   Chickesaws,  and  Catawbas,  as 
would  join  in  the  war  against  the  Cherokees.*     Thus  as- 
sisted, by  the  beginning  of  June,  he  advanced  to  twelve 
mue  river.     He  prosecuted  his  route  by  forced  marches, 
until  he  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  of  Keowee,     Here  he 
encamped  in  a  strong  position ;  and  imagining  that  the  ene- 
my   .vere  not  apprised  of  his  approach,  he  determined  to 
surprise  them.     Leaving  his  camp  under  a  sulticient  guard, 
he  marched  through  the  woods  twenty-five  miles,   towards 
the  town  of  Estatoe.     On  his  march,  he  detached  a  com- 
pany of  light  infantry,  to  destroy  Little  Reowee.     They 
were  received  at  Little  Keowee  with  a  smart  fire,  but, 
rushing  in  with   their  bayonets,  they  put  all  the  men  to 
death.     In  the  morning,  the  main  body  reached  Estatoe; 
but  it  was  abandoned  just  as  they  entered  the  town.     Such 
men  as  had  nqt  made  their  escape,  were  instantly  put  to 
the  sword.     The  women  and  children  were  captivated. 
The  town,  well  stored  with  provisions,  and  consisting  of 
more  than  Iwo  hundred  houses,  was  immediately  plunder- 
ed and  reduced  to  ashes.     Some  of  the  enemy,  who  had  se- 
creted themselves  in  their  dwellings,  were  consumed  with 
them.     The  colonel  pursued  the  work  he  had  began,  wjjih 
*  History  of  South-Carolina,  vol.  ii.  p.  228,  230,  ^1. 


Hi*  expt- 
dition  a- 
gaiDst  the 
Chero- 
kee*.    , 


Chap.  XXI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


437 


surprisins;  rapidity.     In  a  few  hours.  Sugar  Town,  as  larf;r  Riok  If. 
as  Eslatoe,  shared  with  it  the  8amc  lale.     Every  sollle-  ^^.^-^^^^^ 
mcnt  in  the  lower  nation,  was  thus  destroyed.     Aboui  eixty     1 760. 
Indians  were  killed,  and  forty  women  and  children  made  Th.  ir 
prisoners.     The  rest  escaped  to  the  mountains.     Their '"*".'''"" 
towns  and  village?-  were  agreeably  situated,  aiul  consisted  *  '"^'' 
£;cnerally  of  about  one  hund''<jd  houses,  neatly  built,  and 
well  supplied  with  provisions.     Large  magazines  of  corn, 
were  consumed  in  the  general  conflagration.     Such  had 
been  the  cruelties  practised  en  the  inliabitants,  and  such 
was  the  revengeful  spirit  of  the  soldiers,  that  they  were 
as  merciless  as  the  savages  themselves.     They  were  deaf 
to  all  suggestions  of  humanity  and  mercy.* 

Colonel  Montgomery  having  taken  such  vengeance  on 
the  enemy,  marched  for  the  relief  of  fort  Prince  George, 
which  the  savages,  for  some  time,  had  so  closely  invested, 
that  the  garrison  were  in  great  distress,  both  for  the  want 
of  wood  and  provisions.  At  this  post  he  arrived  in  safe- 
ty, having  not  lost  more  than  five  or  six  m"n  in  the  expedi- 
tion. 

From  this  post  two  Indians  were  dispatched,  toacauainl  Message 
ibe  Cherokees,   that  if  their  chief  men  would  come  down,of  pt^aceto 
and  treat  of  an  accommodation,  peace  should  be  granted  J|'*J"'^*'^*'" 
unto  them,  on  the  account  of  Little  Carpenter,  and  his 
many  good  services  to  the  English.    At  the  same   time, 
they  were  to  assure  them  that,  unless  they  should,  in  a  few 
day;::,  begin  a  negociation,  all  the  towns  in  the  upper  na- 
tion would  be  ravaged,  and  laid  in  ashes.t     A  messenger 
wa^  also  sent  to  fort  Loudon,  requesting  the  commanding 
officers  there,  to  use  their  best  endeavors  for  the  obtain- 
ment  of  peace  with  the  Cherokees  of  the  upper  towns. 

Put  as  messages  of  peace  produced  no  good  effect,  the 
rolonei  determined  to  make  an  attack  on  their  middle  set- 
tlements.    He  immediately  began  his  march,  but  his  sue-  The  gene- 
I'css  in  this  enterprise,  was  no  ways  equal  to  that  in  the  «■«!  \>cs;\nt 
former.     The  enemy  watched  all  his  motions,  took  every  J?|*  ^^"^^ 
advantage  of  him  on  his  march,  and  determined  to  mea-  middle  set- 
sure  swords  with  him.     On  the  third  day,,  as  he  was  ad-  tlcmen(», 
vancing  through  a  dangerous  ground,  they  attacked  him  "'"'^^  ^*^- 
in  a  most  furious  and  obstinate  nianner.     They  commenc-  paftip 
cd  the  action  with  their  usual  horrible  screams  and  out-  with  the 
cries,  maintaining  a  severe  fire  from  under  cover.     The  Indians, 
troops  were  ranged  in  the  most  judicious  manner,  and  firm-      ®  ^  ' 
ly  stood  the  enemy's  charge.     The  fi^ht  was  long,  obsti- 
nate, and  well  maintained,  on  both  sides.     At  length,  the 

*  Rider's  Hist.  vol.  xlvi.  p.  157. 

i  Rider's  Hint.  vol.  zin>  P'  159.    Wright's  Hist.  vol.  ii.  p.  343. 


1^1^ 


1}?-Iii 


4.1b 


HISTORY  OK 


Chap.  XM. 


Mont£^ora- 
♦  ly  re- 


JFort  Lnti- 
<lon  sur- 
rrnders, 
Ausr.  71h. 


colonri  making  a  niovomont,  wliii  h  brought  tho  royal  Scot-, 
upon  tlirir  ripht,  the  enemy  g:ive  way  and  flod.  Hij(  (hi 
victory  was  ilcarly  bought ;  the  captain  of  the  ningers  wa^ 
killed,  and  twenty  other  men.  Nearly  eighty  were  wound- 
od.  It  was  supposed  that  the  enemy  lost  about  forty  mtri. 
The  army  pushed  forward  about  five  miles,  the  succeeding 
evening,  to  EtchoAvee,  one  of  the  most  considerable  toui^ 
in  the  middle  settlements.  But  the  Indians  had  removed 
iheir  most  valuable  eH'ects,  and  forsaken  the  town.  The 
colonel  was  able  to  do  them  no  other  injury  than  to  de- 
stroy a  defenceless  town.  Here  the  enemy  attacked  lii- 
piquet  guard  with  such  fury,  that  they  were  with  miicli 
difficulty  repulsed.  They  also  gave  him  repeated  annoy- 
ance, by  their  vollies  from  the  surrounding  hills.  Thoti^' 
he  had  gained  the  field,  and  been  able  to  advance  alioi 
the  action,  yet  it  had  the  effect  of  a  defeat.  So  many  oi 
his  men  had  been  wounded,  and  such  a  number  of  his  iior- 
ses  killed,  that,  he  found  it  absolutely  necessary  to  retreat, 
to  save  his  wounded  men  from  the  massacre  of  the  enemy. 
In  the  beginning  of  July,  he  returned  to  fort  Prince  George. 
Xhe  expedition  had  cost  him  five  officers,  and  about  uu 
hundred  men  killed  and  .wounded. 

He  supposed,  that  his  orders  now  obliged  him  to  return. 
with  the  troops  under  his  command,  and  rejoin  the  main 
«rmy.  To  the  consternation  of  the  whole  country,  this 
was  found  to  be  his  determination.  The  intreaties  of  the 
province,  however,  prevailed  with  him  to  leave  about  four 
hundred  men,  to  assist  in  the  defence  of  the  frontiers. 

Carolina  and  the  neighboring  colonies,  were  again  ex- 
posed to  the  fiiry  of  a  merciless  foe,  not  ao  much  weaken- 
ed as  exasperated,  by  their  late  chastisenaent.  Fort  Lou- 
don  soon  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  They  had  as- 
sembled in  strong  bodies,  and  formed  the  siege  of  it,  near- 
ly a  month  before  the  departure  of  colonel  Montgomery, 
They  were  now  left,  without  molestation,  to  continue  it 
with  their  whole  force.  The  garrison  held  out  about  two 
months,  until  their  provisions  were  totally  consumed.  The 
enemy  manifested  peaceful  dispositions,  and  promised  kind 
treatment.  These  circumstances  had  their  influence,  in 
the  surrendry  of  the  fort,  on  terms  safe  and  honorable. 
But  the  enemy,  regardless  of  faith  or  humanity,  fell  upon 
them,  in  their  march  homeward,  and  butchered  all  the  of- 
ficers, exeept  captain  Stewart,  and  twenty-five  of  the  sol- 
diers.    These  were  carried  into  horrible  captivity. 

Captain  Stewart  owed  his  life  to  the  invincible  attach 
ment  of  Attakullakulla.  He  ransomed  him  at  the  expens<> 
of  all  he  could  command,  and,  with  uncommon  art  and 
painSj  conducted  him  in  safety  to  his  friends. 


Chap.  XXI. 


CONNFX'TICUT. 


430 


The  Chcrokccs  still  continuing  hostile,  and  South-Caro-  Hook  II. 
lina   having   expended  more    than   fifty  thousatid  pounds  '.^^^y"^ 
^lc^Iing  already,  in  defence  of  the  frontiers,  without  gaining    1 760. 
uiy  considerable  point,  lieutenant  governor  Bull  made  ap- 
plication a  second  time  to  general  Amherst,  for  assistance. 
Meanwhile,  the  royal  Scots,  wkh  the  militia,  were  jwsted 
nil  the  frontiers,  for  their  defence.  But  the  Creeks  appear- 
ing hostile,  and  murdering  some  of  the  inhabitants  without 
making  any  proposals,  by  way  of  salisfaction,  and  as  the  \ 

French  were  employing  all  their  arts  with  them  and  the 
Choctaws,  to  engage  them  in  the  war,  the  province  was  in 
estate  of  the  most  dreadful  apprehension.* 

As  Canada  was  now  conquered,  the  commander  in  chief 
f  ould  more  conveniently  spare  a  force  adequate  to  the  pur- 
jiose  of  humbling  the  savages.  The  active  and  brave  col- 
onel Montgomery,  who  commanded  in  this  quarter  before, 
was  now  cnibarKed  for  England.  He  was  brother  to  the 
rarl  ofEglinton,  and  afterwards  succeeded  him  in  his  hon- 
ors. His  aHairs  requiring  him  to  return,  the  command  of 
ihe  Highlanders,  who  were  ordered  again  to  Carolina,  de- 
volved on  lieutenant  colonel  Grant.  He  landed  at  Charles-  Colonel 
ton  with  his  regiment,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1761.  ^rant  ar- 
He  took  up  his  winter  quarters  with  his  troops  in  the  town.  Charleston' 

It  was  deternained,  if  pos  '     .,  to  ^ive  the  Indians  so  se-  Jau.  1761- 
vere  a  correction  the  ensuing  campaign,  as  should  induce 
them  to  make  peace.     The  province  therefore  determined 
to  make  the  utmost  exertion  for  that  purpose.     A  provin-  Expedi- 
lial  regimfent,  under  colonel  Middleton,  was  raised,     '^re-  *'°."  ** . 
sents  were  made  to  their  Indian  allies,  and  numbers  o      he  ^'herokcw 
Chickesaws  and  Catawbas  were  engaged  in  the  service. 
The  army  were  clothed  and  armed  in  the  best  manner  for 
the  expedition. 

In  May,  the  army,  consisting  of  two  thousand  and  six 
hundred  men,  advanced  to  fort  Prince  George.  Here  At- 
lakullakulla)  having  heard  of  the  army's  advancing  against 
his  nation,  et  colonel  Grant,  and  repeatedly  intreated him, 
Ky  his  friendship,  and  the  many  good  services  he  had  per- 
lormed  for  the  English,  that  he  would  proceed  no  further 
until  he  had  once  more  used  his  influence  with  his  nation  to 
bring  them  to  j:'  accommodation  :  but  colonel  Grant  would  , 

not  listen  to  his  solicitations.  He  immediately  began  his 
march  for  the  middle  settlements.  A  party  of  ninety  In- 
dians, and  thirty  woodmen  painted  like  Indians,  marched 
ill  the  front  of  the  army,  and  scoured  the  woods.  After 
liiem  followed  the  light  infantry,  and  about  fifty  rangers, 
'  onsisting  of  about  two  hundred  men.  By  the  vigilance  and 

■  Historyof  South-Carolina,  vol.  ii.  p.  533,233,  236.  341 


li  ; : 


ill 


■%*  I 


440 


IIIStORY  OF 


Chap.  X\f, 


lOUi 


Book  TI.  activity  of  these,  the  colonel  designed  to  secure  the  mnin 
'^^"^^■^^i'  aiTnv  Irom  annoyance  and  surprise.  During  three  (lays,  ho 
1760.  made  forced  marches,  with  a  view  to  pass  a  number  of  dan- 
gerous defiles,  which  might  cost  him  dear  should  the  enemy 
itrst  get  the  possession,  and  warmly  dispute  the  passage. 
These  he  passed  safely.  But  the  next  day,  advancing  in- 
to  suspicious  grounds,  on  all  sides  orders  were  given  to 
prepare  for  action ;  and  that  the  guards  should  advance 
slowly,  doubling  their  circumspection.  While  the  army 
was  advancing  in  this  cautior.s  manner,  about  eight  O'clock 
in  the  morning,  the  enemy  were  discovered  by  the  advanc- 
ed guard,  nearly  in  the  same  ground  where  they  had  attack- 
ed colonel  Montgomery  the  preceding  year.  Rushing 
down  from  the  high  grounds,  they  furiously  attacked  the 
advanced  guard.  This  was  supported,  and  the  action  be- 
came general.  A  party  of  the  enemy  driven  from  the  low 
^"^^'p.  .  grounds,  immediately  ascended  the  hills,  under  which  the 
oe,  June  whole  line  wa3  obliged  to  pass.  On  the  left  was  a  river, 
from  the  opposite  bank  of  which,  they  received  a  heavy 
fire  as  they  advanced.  While  the  line  faced  and  gave  their 
whole  fire  to  the  Indians  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  a  party 
was  ordered  to  ascend  the  hills  and  drive  the  enemy  from 
the  heights.  No  sooner  were  they  driven  from  the  heights, 
than  they  returned  with  redoubled  fury  to  the  charge  in  th*'. 
low  grounds.  These  it  appeared  to  be  their  resolution 
obstinately  to  dispute.  The  situation  of  the  troops  soon 
became  critical  and  distressing.  They  had  been  greatly 
fatigued  by  forced  marches,  in  rainy  weather.  They  were 
galled  by  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  socompasscd  withwoods 
tlrat  they  could  neither  discern  nor  approach  them,  but 
with  great  difficulty  and  danger.  When  they  were  pressed, 
they  always  kept  at  a  distance ;  but  rallying,  returned 
again  to  the  charge,  with  the  same  fierceness  and  resolu- 
tion. No  sooner  were  they  driven  from  one  place,  than 
they  sprang  up  like  furies,  in  another.  Whilo  the  atten- 
tion of  the  colonel  was  directed  to  the  enemy  on  the  banks 
of  the  river,  and  was  employed  in  driving  them  from  their 
lurking  places  on  that  side,  they  made  so  furious  an  attack 
on  his  rear  guard,  that  he  was  obliged  to  order  a  detach- 
ment back  to  its  relief,  to  save  his  cattle,  provisions  and 
baggage.  From  nine  in  the  morning,  until  eleven  o'clock, 
did  the  enemy  maintain  the  fight.  Every  where  did  the 
woods  resound  with  the  roar  of  arms,  and  with  the  shouts 
and  hideous  yellings  of  the  savages.  At  length  they  gave 
way  ;  but  as  they  were  pursued,  they  kept  up  a  scattering 
fire  until  two  o'clock.  After  that,  they  entirely  disappear- 
ed.* 

*  Hi«t.  South-Carolina,  vol.  ii.  p.  248,  250. 


Chcro- 
kees  de- 
bated. 


Thap.  XXI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


44.1 


What  losii  the  enemy  Huflrrod,  was  not  known.  Tlic  los4  Booi;  lf« 
of  colonel  (iirant,  was  about  sixty  men  killed  and  wounded.  \^'\,<^^tf 
Phc  army  advanced  as  soon  as  possible,  and  about  mid-    17G1. 
flight  arrived  at  Ktchoe,  A  large  Indian  town.     The  next 
morning,  it  was  reduced  to  ashes.     There  were  fourteen 
towns,  in  the  middle  settlements,  which  soon  shared  the  Ttieir  mid- 
same  fate.     The  enemy's  magazines,  aiid  even  their  corn-  <*'«  ""^JjfT 
fields,  which  are  reported  to  have  amounted  to  fourteen  JJ^y^j. 
hundred  acres,  were  utterly  destroyed.     The  miserable 
inhabitants  stood  the   silent  spectators  of  this  general  and 
merciless  destruction.     They   were  obliged  to  retire  to 
starve  in  the  thickets,  swamps  and  mouhtains.*    Nearly 
the  same  barbarities  were  committed  against  them,  by  a  civ- 
ilized and  christian  people,  of  which  v/e  so  much  complain, 
when  they  are  pp~petrated  against  us. 

What  a  scene  ot  bloodshed  and  desolation,  both  with  res- 
pect to  them  and  to  the  colonies,  was  the  consequence  of 
the  haughty,  unjust  and  perfidious  treatment  of  the  Indians, 
by  a  few  base  and  murderous  people  among  ourselves  ? 
As  the  consequences  of  an  Indian  war  are  nothing  but 
merciless  carnage  and  destruction,  on  boih  sides,  every 
motive  of  humanity  as  well  as  of  good  policy,  requires  that 
the  strictest  guard  should  be  maintained  against  it ;  and 
that  the  natives  be  treated  with  justice,  condescension  and 
humanity.  Pride,  injustice,  and  bloody  measures,  in  the 
course  of  providence,  commonly  meet  a  recompence  in 
their  own  way. 

When  the  army  had  spent  about  thirty  days  in  this  venge-  1T»«  """y 
ful  and  barbarous  vrorlc  of  destruction,  it  returned  to  fort  ^^™J^"g 
Prince  George.     The  feet  and  legs  of  many  of  the  soldiers  George, 
were  so  mangled,  and  their  spirits  so  exhausted,  that  ii.->y 
were  utterly  unable  to  proceed  on  their  march.    Colonel 
Grant,  therefore,  determined  to  encamp  at  this  post,  for 
some  time,  both  for  the  refreshment  of  his  troops,  and  to 
obtain  intelligence  from  the  enemy. 

Soon  after  his  arrival,  AttakuUakulla,  and  several  other  The 
chieftains  of  the  Cherokee  nation,  came  to  his  camp,  and  Chero- 
expressed  their  wishes  for  peace.    Articles  were  drawn  '^**'  •^*" 
and  interpreted  to  the  warriors.     AttakuUakulla  readily  *"*  P^**^^« 
agreed  to  them  all,  except  one,  which  he  said  he  h^d  no 
authority  to  grant.     This  was,  that  four  Cherokees  should 
be  delivered  up,  and  put  to  death  in  the  face  of  the  army, 
or  that  four  green  scalps  should  be  delivered  within  two 
nights.     As  the  chieftains  could  not  conser^  to  this  bloody 
article,  they  were  dispatched  to  Charleston,  to  know  wheth- 
er governor  Bull  would  abate  this  rigorous  rcquisitioli. 

'"■  Ridpr'f  H!!>t.  vol.  xlWii.  p.  63,  84. 

F  .3 


?(..  "^ 


hJ     \ 


412 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XX .' 


Book  U.     The  governor  and  his  council  met  them  at  Ashlc)  ferry, 
•,<r>/-^lIo  athlrcssed  them  in  this  friendly  manner: — "  Attakullii 
1 7G I .    kulla,  I  am  glad  to  see  you  ;  and  as  I  have  always  heard  u: 
your  good  behaviour, and  that  you  have  been  a  goofl  friend 
to  the  Elriglish,  I  take  you  by  the  hand,  and  not  only  you. 
but  all  those  who  arc  with  you  also,  as  a  pledge  of  their  se 
rurity,   while  under  my  protection.     Colonel  Grant  ac 
cjuaints  me,  that  vow  have  apphed  for  peace.     Now  tha' 
you  are  come,  I  have  met,  with  my  beloved  men,  to  hear 
what  you  have  to  say;  and  my  ears  are  open  for  that  pur- 
pose."    Then  a  fire  was  kindled,  and  the  pipe  of  peacr 
was  lighted  up;  and,  for  some  time,  all  smoked  together  in 
great  silence  and  solemnity. 

Attakullakulla  then  arose,  and  addressed  the  governor 
in  a  manly  and  elonucnt  speech,  representing  his  joy  a' 
seeing  him,  and  that  he  was  come  as  a  messenger  of  peace : 
that  nis  people  were  in  great  distress;  and  that,  though 
the  English  were  superior  to  them,  and  lived  in  light,  whilo 
they  were  in  darkness,  yet  that  one  God  was  the  father  ol' 
them  both :  that  they  lived  in  one  country,  and  that  he  wish- 
ed what  had  happened  might  be  forgotten,  and  that  they 
might  live  as  one  people.  Governor  Bull,  and  hi*  council, 
had  too  much  humanity  and  good  sense,  to  insist  on  the  ex- 
ceptionable article.  They  could  not  but  know,  that,  in 
justice,  the  Virginians,  wha  began  the  war,  by  murdering 
the  Cherokees,  ought  rather  to  oe  given  up  and  executed, 
than  the  Indians.  They  were  not  insensible  of  the  injudi' 
cious  and  insidious  conduct  of  governor  Littleton.  Peace 
was  therefore  establisiicd ;  and  both  parties  wished  that  it 
might  last  as  long  as  the  rivers  should  run,  or  the  sun  shine. 
The  North-American  continent  appeared  now  to  be  qui- 
eted. The  conquest  of  Canada  had  given  rest  to  New- 
England.  The  capture  of  fort  du  Quesne,  with  the  pacific 
and  prudent  measures  of  governor  Stanwix,  who  command- 
ed at  that  post,  had  given  peace  and  safety  to  the  people 
on  the  Ohio.  He  had  enlarged  and  strengthened  the  lor- 
lilications  at  Pittsburg,  and  had  erected  barracks  and  store 
houses  for  a  respectable  garrison.  With  great  diligence 
and  success,  he  had  cultivated  the  friendship  of,  and  made 
alliances  with,  the  Indians  in  the  vicinity.  The  happy 
consequences  of  these  measures,  were  very  soon  apparent, 
in  a  considerable  trade  between  the  Indians  and  the  mer- 
chants at  Pittsburg ;  and  also,  in  the  return  of  nearly  four 
thousand  planters  to  the  quiet  enjoyment  of  their  houses 
and  lands  on  the  frontiers  of  Virginia,  Maryland,  and 
Pennsylvania,  whence  they  had  been  driven  hy  the  war. 


iPeacc  is 
inade. 


Chap.  XXII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


I 
i 


CHAPTER  XXII.  )70l. 

RtquisUion  on  the  colonies  m  1761.  Mr.  Pilt\s  letter.  Art^ 
of  the  assembly^,  in  conae<juence  of  it.  The  business  of  this 
tampaign,  in  America,  was  principally  directed  to  the  re- 
pairing and  building  offortresse$,  and  to  secure  the  con- 
quests which  had  been  made.  The  critical  state  of  the  na- 
iion,  at  the  close  of  the  ytar  1761.  Events  of  the  year 
1762,  influencing  the  belligerents  to  peace.  Pacification 
of  Paris,  Favourable  to  the  American  colonies.  Burthen 
of  the  colonies.  Supplies  from  England.  Effects  of  the 
loar.  Policy  of  Cmmecticut,  in  defraying  its  expenses. 
General  joy  and  feelings  of  the  Americans,  on  the  returi^ 
of  peace. 

NOTWITHSTANDING  the  successes  in  North- Ame- 
rica, the  belligerents  continued  no  less  inHamed  and 
hostile,  than  at  the  comaiencement  of  the  war.  His  Bri- 
tannic majesty  had,  therefore,  occasion  to  employ  his 
whole  force  against  the  enemy.  Requisitions  were  still 
made  on  the  colonies,  to  furnish  their  respective  quotas. 

With  a  view  to  this,  governor  Fitch  convened  the  Gene-  General 
ral  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  at  New-Haven,  on  the  26th  of  AMembiy 
March.    He  communicated  a  letter  from  the  right  honour-  u^^gj^' 
able  William  Pitt,  secretary  of  state,  representing,  that  his  March' 
majesty  had  much  at  heart  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  26th. 
war,  until  the  enemy  should  be  compelled  to  accept  of  ^1;  ^'*^'* 

{)eace,  on  terms  of  advantage  and  glory  to  his  crown,  and 
)eneficial,  in  particular,  to  his  subjects  in  America  :  that, 
for  this  purpose,  it  was  his  majesty's  pleasure  to  employ 
his  regular  ti'oops  in  North-America,  as  should  be  best 
adapted  to  some  great  and  iinportant  enterprises  against 
the  enemy :  and  that,  for  the  security  of  his  dominions,  and 
the  possession  of  his  conquests,  in  their  absence,  it  was  his 
pleasure,  that  Connecticut  should  raise  two  thirds  as  many 
men  as  they  had  raised  the  last  year.  The  assembly  enact-  Act»  ot 
ed,  that  provision  should  be  made  for  the  immediate  rai-*«  assem- 
sing,  clothing,  victualling,  and  paying  of  two  thousand  *''^* 
three  hundred  men  :  that  they  should  be  formed  into  two 
regiments :  that  major  general  Lyman  should  command 
the  first,  and  colonel  Nathan  Whiting  the  second  regiment.* 
To  meet  the  expenses  of  the  war,  the  assembly  enacted, 
that  an  emission  of  45,000  pounds,  lawful  money,  in  bills 
i)i  credit,  with  interest  at  five  per  cent,  should  be  forthwith 
*  Mews.  Beckwithand  Le&veaworth  were  appointed  chaplaias. 


♦  • 


t   i: 


'•»T? 


414 


HISTORY  OK 


Chah.  XXli. 


Book  II.  printrrl,  and  ihui,  ns  a  flinkirtj;  fund  fttr  the  rrdrmption  ot 
N^f^v'-w  the  bills,  a  tax  of  fivt'|MiKC  on  the  pntiiid,  on  the  whole  li>t 
1761.  of  the  coionv,  to  be  brought  into  the  ashembly  in  Ortohrr, 
l7C'i,  hhould  be  levied;  which  should  be  puid  into  thr 
treasury  on,  or  before,  the  luHt  day  of  December,  I7G.3. 
At  the  same  time  it  was  enacted,  that  a  lax  of  sevenpcnre 
on  the  pound,  on  the  whole  lifltof  the  colony,  to  be  brou^^lit 
into  the  assembly  in  Octol»er,  1764,  should  be  levird; 
which  tax  should  be  paid  into  the  treasury  on,  or  Ix-iorc, 
the  last  day  of  December,  1766.  It  was  provided,  invor. 
theiess,  that  if  a  sum  should  be  grunted  and  arrive,  siini- 
cient  to  redeem  said  bills,  then  said  acts  imposing  the  tax- 
es, should  cease  and  be  null. 

Provision  had  been  made  for  the  payment  of  the  troops, 
at  the  close  of  the  campaign,  upon  their  return,  by  a  tax  ot 
fivepence  on  the  pound,  which  had  been  previously  laid,  to 
be  paid  into  the  treasury  in  December. 
BuoincKi  of  The  repairing  and  strengthening  of  the  numerous  posts 
♦he  ram-  of  such  an  cxtcnsivc  country  as  Canada;  the  erecting  ol 
l»aigD.  jij,^  fortifications,  where  they  were  necessary  to  secure 
the  conquered  territory,  and  to  cover  and  guard  the  colo- 
nies, should  Canada  be  again  put  into  the  pou  cr  of  France ; 
the  furnishing  of  them  with  provisions,  arms,  and  military 
stores ;  the  repairing  of  old  roads,  and  the  making  of  new 
ones,  for  their  more  easy  conveyance,  and  for  maintaining 
a  convenient  and  more  expeditious  communication  between 
them,  and  between  them  and  the  country,  was  a  work  ot 
much  time  and  labour.  The  building  of  hoyses  and  bar- 
racks, for  the  convenience  of  the  officers  and  men,  at  the 
various  posts  where  it  was  necessary  that  garrisons  should 
be  kept,  was  an  additional  labour,  employing  a  consider- 
able  number  of  men.  The  accomplishment  of  these  ob- 
jects employed  some  thousands  of  men,  during  the  cam- 
paign, for  this  and  the  next  year.  Jn  these  services,  the 
regulars  who  remained  in  the  country,  and  the  provincials, 
were  principally  occupied. 

As  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga  had  been  a  source  of 

feat  trouble  and  annoyance  to  New-England  and  New- 
ork,  whence  the  enemy  had  made  all  their  incursions  into 
em,  for  devastation  and  murder ;  and  as  it  could  not  be 
foreseen  but  that  Canada  would  be  restored  to  France,  on 
a  general  pacification,  it  was  a  matter  of  the  highest  con- 
sideration, that  these  passes  into  the  northern  colonies, 
should  be  strongly  fortified  and  garrisoned. 

The  fortifying  of  Crown  Point,  therefore,  became  a  prin- 
cipal object.  Great  and  extensive  works  were  laid  out 
tlicrc,  by  the  nioit  skilful  engineers  in  the  service,    Jm- 


C*HAP.  XXII. 


CONNKCTirrT. 


4i:» 


tho 


mcnsc  lalM)r  ami  rxprnsr  wore  laid  oul  upon  ihoin.     The  Hook  II. 
rortilirationfl  were  priiicipally  laid  t)ul  ii|hmi  a  rock.     'I'Iip  s^-v^w 
ircrir-liCH  or  dilrhrs,  won*  prinripally  lo  Ik*  hidwn  out  »)f'  a    |T<'. I. 
<«olid  rock.     It  wa.s  .sup|>osL>d  that  (irral  Drit.iiii  ixp<  iid*  «| 
two  millions  .sterling,  or  morr,  on  ihi'sc  workt. 

The  French,  when  thoy  almndoncd  TicondfToga,  Ijjrw 
up  thfir  mai^azinc,  and  injurfd  the  works.  Some  niciii s 
of  the  fortificaiioiis  were  made  there.  Tlic  whole  spiisou 
was  spen'  in  these  services,  and  the  campaign  eluded  al  u 
late  period. 

The  campaign  in  Europe  closed  very  unfavorably  for 
Great  Britain  and  her  allies.  Notwithstanding  all  the  siic< 
rcss  which  had  attended  the  British  arms  in  North-Amer- 
ica, the  state  of  the  nation,  at  the  close  of  this  campaign  ,  . 
in  Europe,  and  at  the  commencement  of  the  i:^xt,  in  I76i,  ,,[,','"^J  ( 
was  nevermore  critical  and  alarming.  A  vciy  considera-  nuiiou. 
l»le  nart  of  Hanover,  was  in  the  possession  of  France. 
The  King  of  Pnissia  was  so  reduced  arjd  pressed  on  every 
side,  by  his  numerous  enemies,  that  there  was  no  hur  ..n 
prospect  that  he  could  possibly  hold  out  for  ahv  consider- 
tble  time.  Should  he  be  overpowered,  the  allied  army, 
which  was  now  able  to  act  only  on  the  defensive,  cnnid 
not  survive  the  event  a  single  day.  All  the  Hanov  ri^  i 
dorninions  must  bo  instantly  lost.  What  other  disah  rous 
events  might  be  tlie  consequence,  no  human  foresight  could 
determine.  All  the  great  powers  of  Europe  were  on  the 
side  of  France.  Spain  was  now  cordial  in  her  friendship 
to  that  nation,  and  was  joining  her,  unimpaired  in  men  or 
money,  or  any  of  her  resources  for  war.  Her  fleet  wa*  es- 
timated at  an  hundred  ships.  Groat  Britain  was,  directly 
or  indirectly,  engaged  in  war  with  all  the  great  conti- 
nental powers  of  Europe ;  and  with  much  the  greatest  part 
of  its  maritime  force.  She  was,  in  some  measure,  reduced 
as  to  her  resources,  and  labored  under  a  debt  of  more  than 
a  hundred  millions.  In  the  dangers  ar  >^  'pisfortunes  of 
the  mother  country,  her  colonies  were  inv  'ved. 

Notwithstanding  the  successes  in  North- America,  if 
France  and  her  allies,  in  Europe,  should  carry  their  points, 
all  the  expense  and  exertions  of  the  c  olonies  would  Anally 
be  of  no  advantage  to  them.  All  tho  acquisitions  in  Amer- 
ica would  be  given  up,  to  recover  what  would  be  lost  in 
Germany,  and  to  secure  the  rights  of  the  protestants,  on 
the  other  side  of  the  water. 

It  was  necessary  that  the  whole  strength  of  the  nation, 
by  land  and  sea,  should  be  employed  against  the  enemy. 
Requisitions  were  still  made  on  the  colonies,  for  their  as-^^l""'* 
sistaocc.    A  letter  had  been  leceived  by  governor  Fitch,  coSny    * 


"i  I 


446 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXll. 


1762. 


Cencral 
Asxeiuhly 
at  New- 
Haven, 
March 
J-ltl.,  1762, 


Book  II.  from  the  Garl  of  Egrcmont,  requiring  him  to  use  his  utmost 
endeavors,  to  induce  the  coloiiy  to  raise  the  same  number 
of  men  this  year,  which  they  had  sent  into  the  field  the 
last.  It  was  required,  that  the  troops  bhould  foe  raised 
forthwith,  and  be  under  the  direction  of  his  majesty's  com- 
mander in  chief,  in  North-America.  The  governor,  there- 
fore, on  the  fourth  of  March,  1 762,  convoked  the  General 
Assembly  at  New-Haven.  In  compliance  with  the  requi- 
iiition  of  his  majesty,  the  assembly  enacted,  That  although 
this  colony  is  much  weakened  and  exhausted,  both  in 
strength  and  treasure,  by  its  vigorous  exertions  in  several 
former  campaigns,  yet,  zealous  for  his  majesty's  service, 
and  animated  with  the  agreeable  prospect,  that  the  future 
safety  and  welfare  of  his  majesty's  dominions  in  America 
will  be  fixed  and  secured,  and  humbly  and  firmly  relying 
on  his  majesty's  gracious  encouragement,  for  a  proper 
compensation  of  our  expenses,  incurred  by  this  further  ex- 
ertion of  our  strength,  for  his  service,  in  this  important  con- 
juncture, that  all  necessary  provision  be  made,  for  levying, 
clothing,  and  paying,  the  same  number  of  men  as  wero 
raised  the  last  year,  to  march  to  such  place  or  places,  in 
North- America,  as  his  majesty's  commander  in  chief  should 
appoint.  The  number  raided  by  said  act,  was  two  thou- 
sand three  hundred  men,  officers  included.  They  were 
formed  into  two  regiments,  consisting  of  twelve  companies 
each.  The  regiments  were  commanded  by  one  colonol, 
a  lieutenant-colonel,  and  major.  A  chaplain  was  appoint-^ 
cd  to  each  regiment* 

To  defray  the  expense,  it  was  enacted,  that  the  sum  ot 
sixty  five  thousand  pounds,  in  bills  of  credit,  on  the  gov- 
ernment, equal  to  lawful  money,  with  interest  at  six  per 
cent,  should  be  forthwith  impressed,  payable  on  or  before 
the  4th  day  of  March,  1767.  The  b**is  were  to  bear  date 
the  same  day  as  the  session  oif  the  assembly.  As  -a  sinking 
fund,  it  was  enacted,  that  a  tax  of  sixpence  on  the  po;  id, 
on  all  the  polls  and  rateable  estate  in  the  colony,  be  levied 
on  the  list  to  be  brought  in  to  the  assembly  in  October, 
1763  ;  to  be  collected  and  paid  into  the  treasury  of  the  col- 
ony by  the  last  day  of  December,  1764 :  and  that  another 
tax  of  eightpencc  on  the  pound,  on  the  list  to  be  brought 
in  in  October  1775,  be  levied,  to  be  collected  and  paid  in- 
to the  treasury  of  the  colony  by  the  last  day  of  December, 
1 766.  It  was  provided,  nevertheless,  that  if  such  sums  ol 
money  should  arrive  from  England,  as  to  pay  the  eight- 
pence  on  the  pound,  before  the  time  of  its  collection,  that 
then  said  act  relative  to  it,  should  be  null  and  void ;  and 
the  treasurer  was  to  conduct  himself  accordingly. 


(tHAP.  XXII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


447 


.tV»>J 


As  the  colony  was  now  much  drained  of  money,  and  as  a  Book  U* 
larger  emission  of  bills  might  lessen  their  value,  it  was  re-  >,^-n/-%-/ 
solved,  that  a  tax  of  two  pence  three  farthings  on  the  pound  1 762. 
be  levied  on  the  list  brought  in  to  the  asseinbly  in  October 
last,  to  be  paid  into  the  treasury  by  the  last  day  of  Decem- 
ber next.  The  assembly  also  resolved,  that  as  there  were 
monies  remaining  in  Great-Britain,  belonging  to  the  colony, 
which  had  been  granted  for  the  services  of  the  year  1759, 
and  part  of  what  was,  or  might  be  granted  for  the  servi- 
ces of  the  year  1 760,  not  yet  appropriated,  and  which  might 
probably  be  received  in  season,  and  used  for  the  lessening 
of  the  taxes  laid  Sk  the  list  brought  in  to  the  assembly  in 
October  last,  for  sinking  and  discharging  the  bills  of  credit 
emitted  in  February  and  May,  1759,  that  whatever  money 
had  been,  or  might  be  granted  by  the  parliament  for  the 
services  of  the  colony  in  the  years  1 759  and  1760,  which 
had  not  already  been  appropriated  for  sinking  and  dis- 
charging the  bills  of  credit,  in  March    1 758,  1 759,  and 

1 760,  should  be  appropriated  ior  sinking  and  discharging 
the  bills  of  credit  emitted  in  the  said  years  :  and  that,  if 
those  monies  should  be  sufficient  for  the  discharging  those 
editions  of  bills,  then  the  acts  relative  to  the  taxes  laid  for 
that  purpose,  should  cease,  and  not  be  executed. 

A  letter  from  the  earl  of  Egremont,  dated  December  1 2^ 

1761,  and  another  from  general  Amhersty  dated  February  Letters 
1763,  were  eommumcated  to  the  assembly,  recommending  from  the- 
to  the  governor  to  use  his  influence  to  encourage  the  en-  ^*'"'  of^S" 
listing  of  men  into  his  majesty's  regiments  during  the  war,  an™  geJe- 
or  until  such  time  as  the  regiments  should  return  to  Eu-  ral  Am- 
rope.    General  Amherst  offered  a  bounty  of  five  pounds,  hcrst. 
New- York  currency,  to  every  able  bodied  man,  more  than 
eighteen,  and  under  forty  years  of  age,  and  that  he  should 

be  immediately  on  pay,  and  be  clotned  on  his  enlistment. 
He  engaged  that  all  who  should  enlist,  should  be  discharg- 
ed at  the  time  expressed,  and  be  allowed  to  return  to  their 
respective  homes.  He  also  recommended  it  to  the  colony 
to  add  to  the  bounty.  In  consequence  of  these  recommen- 
dations, the  legislature  resolved,  that  five  hundred  seventy 
five  able  bodied  effective  men  should  be  enlisted  for  his 
majesty's  service,  more  than  eighteen,  and  under  forty 
years  of  age,  and  that  a  bounty  of  five  pounds  be  given  by 
the  colony,  in  addition  to  that  given  by  the  general. 

While  affairs  were  thu"^  transacted  by  the  colony,  great 
plans  were  concerted,  and  preparations  made  by  his  ma- 
jesty, and  the  British  ministry,  deeply  to  wound  the  enemy, 
and  dispose  him  for  peace.  In  consequence  of  a  plan  for 
the  reduction  of  the  French,  West-India  islands,  after  the 


i.*.<i 


i|i,1i. 


1     !*^ 


448 


illSTORY  OP 


Chap.  XXII. 


Hook  II.  close  of  ilie  campaign  on  the  conlinrnt  of  America  in  17Ci, 
Mrf'-v-^-/  a  considerable  part  of  the  regular  troop,  with  a  body  ol 
1762.    provincials,  embarked  for  the  Wcst-Inuics,  and  joinefJ  an 
armament  from  Great-Britain,  with  a  view  to  the  reduction 
of  Martinique.     The  whole  land  force  consisted  of  about 
twelve  thousand  troops,  under  the  command  of  general 
Moncklon.     The  fleet   was   commanded  by  rear  admiral 
Martinique  Rodncy.     It  was  the  most  powerful  armament  which  had 
iak»  n,       ever  been  sent  into  that  part  of  the  world.     On  the  7th  ot 
i7^o  '^**'»  January,  the  fleet  and  army  arrived  off"  the  island.     TIk 
expedition  was  conducted  with  such  spirit  and  success, 
that,  by  the  14th  of  February,  the  whov  island  was  reduc- 
ed to  tne  government  of  Great-Britain. 

The  surrender  of  this  island,  which  was  the  scat  of  gov- 

ernment,  the  principal  mart  of  trade,  and  the  centre  of  the 

French  force  in  the  Caribbecs,  was  soon  succeeded  by  the 

surrender  of  all  the  dependant  islands.    The  fertile  islands 

,   '  -of  Grenada,  St.  Lucia,  and  St.  Vincents,  followed  the  ex- 

j-'.'^'  iimple  of  the  capitol.     In  a  short  time,  the  English  became 

r*  the  sole  and  undisturbed  possessors  of  that  grand  chain 

of  islands  which  form  the  immense  bow,  extending  from 

the  eastern  point  of  Hispaniola,  almost  to  the  continent  of 

South-America.    The? a  islands  together,  can  boast  of  more 

trade  than  falls  to  the  share  of  some  respectable  nations. 

Meanwhile,  war  waa  declared  against  Spain,  and  it  was 
determined  to  give  a  capital  blow  to  hei^  settlements  in  the 
West-Indies.  An  armament  was  prepared  with,  the  utmosl 
dispatch.  Lord  Albemarle  was  appointed  to  command 
the  operations  by  land.  His  lordship  had  been  trained  to 
war  from  his  youth,  under  the  command  of  the  duke  of 
Cumberland.  The  fleet  destined  for  the  service  was  un- 
der the  command  of  admiral  Pocock,  who  had  before  com- 
manded with  such  success  in  the  East-Jndies.  The  ob- 
fcain-'t  j-c*  of  *^^  expedition  was  the  Havanna.  In  this  center- 
iFivunna,  cd  the  whole  trade  and  navigation  of  the  Spanish  West-In- 
dies. The  fleet  sailed  from  Portsmouth,  on  the  fifth  of 
March.  This  was  to  be  reinforced  by  a  squadron  from 
Martinique,  underthecommandofsir  James  Douglass.  On 
the  twenty-seventh  of  May,  the  two  fleets  formed  a  junc- 
tion, at  Cape  Nichola,  the  north-west  point  of  Hispaniola. 
The  fleet  consisted  of  thirty-seven  ships  of  war,  with  nearly 
an  hundred  and  fifty  tran?j)orts.  The  land  force  on  board 
was  about  ten  thousand  men.  Four  thousand  regular 
troops,  from  New- York,  were  ordered  to  join  them  at  the 
Havanna.  A  considerable  number  of  provincials  enlist- 
ed, imdcr  iheir  own  officers,  aiiu  served  in  this  arduous  en- 
terprise. The  whole  land  force,  when  collected,  would  a- 
inount  to  about  fifteen  or  sixteen  thoti^aud  mon. 


War  de- 
clared a- 
gainst 
ifpain. 


I'.xppnrtion 


Chap.  XXII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


44§ 


The  admiral  was  not  insensible  how  much  the  success  of  Book  II. 
the  expedition  depended  on  dispatch  ;  that  it  might  be  s.^-v^^/ 
carried  into  execution  before  the  coming  on  of  the  hurri-  1763. 
cane  months.  Therefore,  instead  of  keeping  the  common 
track  of  the  galleons  to  the  north  of  Cuba,  which  was 
much  the  safest,  though  far  the  most  tedious  passage,  he 
determined  to  pursue  his  course  from  east  to  west,  through 
the  straights  of  Bahama.  This  is  a  narrow  passage,  about 
seven  hundred  miles  in  length.  It  is  bounded,  on  the  right 
and  left,  with  so  many  shoals  and  sands,  that  the  naviga- 
tion is  dangerous  (ot  single  ships.  Yet  such  were  the  cau- 
tions and  admirable  dispositions  of  the  admiral,  that  he 
carried  this  fleet  of  nearly  two  hundred  sail  safely,  through 
this  perilous  passage.  On  the  fifth  of  June,  Havanna,  the 
object  of  this  long  voyage,  and  of  so  many  anxious  hopes 
and  fears,  presented  itself  to  the  view  of  the  fleet  and  ar- 
my. On  the  seventeenth,  the  troops  were  landed,  and,  for  J^^  troops 
more  than  two  months,  every  exertion  of  courage,  every  Havan- 
art  of  war,  with  the  most  invincible  patience  and  perse-  na,  Juae 
verance,  under  almost  insuperable  difHculticS)  were  uni-  *'**•• 
tedly  employed,  by  officers  and  soldiers,  by  the  fleet  and 
army,  for  the  reduction  of  this  important  island.  The  for- 
tresses were  strong  by  nature  and  art.  The  enemy  made 
a  gallant  and  noble  defence.  The  climate  was  burning, 
and  the  want  of  water  great  and  almost  insufferably  dis- 
tressing. Never  were  British  valour  and  resolution  put  to 
a  severer  trial.  Some  of  the  soldiers  dropped  down  dead, 
under  the  pressure  of  heat,  thirst  and  fatigue.  Before  the 
middle  of  July  the  army,  in  this  unwholesome  and  burning 
region,  and  under  the  rigour  of  such  extraordinary  services, 
was  reduced  to  half  its  original  numbers.  Five  thousand 
soldiers  and  three  thousand  seamen,  were  ill  at  one  time. 
The  hearts  of  the  most  sanguine  sunk  within  them,  while 
they  saw  this  fine  army  wasting  by  disease ;  and  they  could 
not  but  tremble  for  that  noble  fleet  which  had  so  long  been 
exposed  along  the  open  shore,  and  must,  in  all  human 
probability,  suffer  inevitable  ruin,  should  the  hurricane  sea- 
son come  on  before  the  reduction  of  the  place.  As  the 
season  advanced,  the  prospect  grew  more  and  more  unfa- 
vorable. But  when  the  troops  were  almost  on  the  point 
of  total  despondency,  the  arrival  of  the  troops  from  North- 
America  revived  their  drooping  spirits,  gave  fresh  vigor 
to  their  operations,  and  was  of  the  most  signal  service. 

Such  was  the  zeal  of  the  New-Englanders  in  his  majes- 
ty's service,  that  not  only  many  of  them  enlisted,  with  a 
particular  view  to  the  reduction  of  the  Havanna ;  but  such 
of  them  as  had  assisted  in  the  conquest  of  Martinique,  and, 

G3 


^  p. 


it:.* 


450 


HISTORY  OF 


Ciur.  XXlf, 


I7(i2. 


Tlio  town 
surren> 
dtTs,  Aug 
13Ui. 


Rook  II.  ny  rrasori  of  sicknt-ss,  hail  been  sent  olVin  three  ships  lor 
s.^^  z-'^-'  their  nalivc  country,  lor  their  recovery,  soon  lindini;  ihcir 
lic.illh  restored,  oidercd  the  ships  alniut,  and  steering  (\l- 
rectly  lor  Havannu,   shared  in  the  dangers  and  hotiorit  ol 
that  glorious  enterprise. 

On  the  thirteenth  of  August,  to  the  universal  joy  of » he 
fleet  and  army,  the  Spaniards  surrendered  the  town  of  Ila- 
vanna,  with  the  shipping  in  the  Irarbor,  and  a  territory  ol 
an  hundred  and  eighty  miles 'west  ward  of  the  town.  This, 
in  lis  consequences,  wa*  one  of  the  most  important  and  do- 
rijsvc  victories  obtained  since  the  commencement  of  the 
w:»r.  Though  Havarma  is  not  reckoned  the  capital  of  the 
Spanish  West-Indies,  yet  it  is  the  first  ir>  wealth,  sis^e  and 
importance.  The  harbor  on  which  it  stands,  is  one  of  tho 
best  in  the  West-Indies,  if  not  in  tiio  known  world.  It  is 
of  sufficient  extent  to  contain  a  thousand  of  the  largc^ 
hhiprt.  It  is  perfectly  secure  from  every  i*ind.  It  is  ih(; 
grand  resort  of  the  rich  fleets  from  every  part  of  the  Span- 
ish West-Indies,  called  the  galleons  and  theflota.  Hence 
they  take  their  departure  for  Europe.  These  circum- 
stances combined  their  influence,  to  make  the  Havannr^ 
one  of  the  most  flourishing,  opulent,  aixl  populous  cities  iw 
that  part  of  the  world.  The  fortifications  were  not  une- 
qual to  its  imporiancc. 

The  advantage  gained  in  (he  capture  df  the  enemy'? 
shipping,  was  equal  to  that  of  the  greatest  naval  victory. 
Twelve  of  their  best  ships  of  the  line,  three  frigates,  and 
some  merchantmen,  were  either  destroyed  or  taken. 

New-England,  by  her  zeal  in  this  enterprise,  sustained 
a  very  considerable  loss  of  men.  Scai'cely  any  of  the  pri- 
vate soldiers,  and  but  few  of  the  officers,  ever  returned. 
Such  as  were  not  killed  in  the  service,  were  generally 
swept  away  by  the  great  mortality  which  prevailed  in  the 
fleet  and  army. 

In  the  couise  of  Providence,  this  year,  there  was  a  con- 
currence of  a  number  of  great  events,  beyond  all  human 
foresight  or  calculation,  wliich  gave  an  entirely  diflereni 
l^irn  to  the  aflairs  of  Europe,  and  most  favorable  to  the  in- 
terests of  the  British  colonies  in  America. 

On  the  second  of  January,  the  empress  of  Russia,  one  o* 
the  most  powerful  etjemies  of  the  king  of  Prussia,  died, 
and  such  was  the  revolution  in  Russia  that,  after  her  de- 
mise, the  troops  of  Russia,  which  before  had  been  employ- 
ed against  him,  were  allowed  to  join  his  forces  and  assist 
ngainst  his  enemies.  This  gave  a  most  unexpected  and 
lavorable  lurtj  to  his  aflairs  ;  so  that  he  was  not  only  able 
to  defend  /iimself,  but  to  act  powerfully  against  his  ene- 


resourcei 


rnkT.XXM, 


CONNECTICUT. 


45! 


J76: 


mips.  Besides  the  loss  of  Martiiiiauc  and  Havanna,  ihr  Book  II. 
Spaniards  received  a  wound  in  Asia,  no  less  unexpected  v,^^,-^^ 
or  terrible,  than  thaf  given  thena  in  the  West-Indies.  An 
arnnament  under  the  command  of  general  Draper  and  ad- 
miral Cornish,  on  the  sixth  of  October,  made  a  complete 
>  onquest  of  Manilla  and  the  Philippine  islands.  These 
apital  losses,  with  the  capture  of  several  rich  ships,  of 
nearly  two  millions  value,  made  deep  impressions  on  the 
Bourbon  fomily.  They  very  considerably  affected  those 
resources  of  money,  which,  with  France,  had  been  the 
principal  objects  in  her  treaties  with  Spain.  These  pow- 
ers had  been  entirely  frustrated  in  their  attempts  to  reduce 
Portugal  and  Lisbon.  The  campaign  in  Germany,  had 
by  no  means  succeeded  agreeably  to  their  wishes.  These 
all  combined  their  influence  in  disposing  the  house  of  Bour- 
bon to  peace,  and  to  stop  that  flow  of  human  blood,  which, 
ibr  seven  years,  had  been  running  almost  without  intermis- 
sion or  parallel. 

At  the  same  time,  those  grand  acouisitions  which  Great- 
Britain  had  made,  in  Asia,  and  the  East  and  West-Indies, 
enabled  her  to  treat  of  peace,  without  giving  up  a  single 
post  which  she  had  gained  on  the  continent  of  North- 
America. 

Towardsi  the  close  of  the  year,  commissioners  were  ap- 
pointed to  attempt  a  general  paciflcation.     On  the  third  Defmiii 
of  N.ovember,  preliminaries  ot  peace  were  signed,  at  Fon-  treaty  of 
tainbleau,  by  the  British  and  French  ministers.     The  de-  P^'^'-'*' 
finitive  treaty  of  Paris,  was  signed  on  the  tenth  of  the  sue 
cceding  February. 

In  the  fourth  ariicli  of  the  treaty,  his  most  Christian  ma- 
jesty renounced  all  pretensions  which  he  had  ever  formed, 
or  might  form  to  Nova-Scotia,  in  all  its  parts,  and  guaran- 
teed the  whole  of  it,  with  all  its  dependencies,  to  the  king 
of  Great-Britain.     He  also  ceded  and  guaranteed  to  his 
Britannic  majesty,  in  full  right,  Canada,  with  all  its  depen- 
dencies, with  Cape  Breton,  and  all  the  other  islands  and 
coasts  in  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  with  every  thing  depend- 
ant on  said  countries,   lands,  islands  and  coasts ;  with  the 
sovereignty,  property,  possersion,  all  rights  acquired  by 
treaty  or  otherwise,  in  the  amplest  manner  and  form,  with- 
out any  liberty  to  depart  from  the  said  cession  and  guar- 
antee.    The  seventh  article  fixed  the  limits  of  the  territo 
ry  between  the  two  nations  in  the  manner  following:    In 
order  to  establish  peace  on  solid  and  durable  foundations,  tl^yen  c. 
and  to  remove  forever  all  subject  of  dispute  with  regard  to  Britaiu 
the  British  a  '".d  French  territories  on  the  continent  of  Amer-  J,"** 
ica,  it  is  agreed,  that,  for  the  future,  the  confines  between  aiq"*^"  '" 


ve 


Feb.  10, 
1763. 


i.--.ij 


Boiindu- 
rifis  be- 


'  ;N 


lenca. 


\52 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XX IF. 


Boor  II.  th(  dominions  of  his  Britannic  majesty,  and  those  of  his 
v.**-^^  moi '  christian  majesty,  in  that  part  of  the  world,  shall  he 
1763.  fixe»!  irrevocably,  by  a  line  drawn  along  the  middle  of  the 
river  Mississippi,  from  its  source,  to  the  river  Iberville;  and 
froff  ihence  by  a  line  drawn  along  the  middle  of  the  river, 
and  the  lakes  Maurcpas  and  Ponchartrain,  to  the  sea  :  And 
for  this  purpose,  the  most  christian  k;ngceJc>,  in  full  right, 
am'  guarantees  to  his  Britannic  t  lajosfy,  ihc  river  uid  port 
of  Mobile,  and  every  thing  whi<  h  m.  tv  •sseshus,  oro.!.;ht  to 
possess,  on  the  left  side  of  the  river  Mississippi,  cHtnr  the 
town  of  Orleans,  ;ind  the  islan)  en  v;.^'xh  is  - <  '  dted, 
which  shall  retrain  to  Fr;H)ce:  provided,  that  tln;  uuviga- 
tion  of  the  river  IVSussissippi  shall  Iv  equally  free,  as  well  to 
the  subjects  of  (istxt-Britain,  as  to  those  of  France,  in  its 
whole  ortadth  and  length,  from  it  source  to  the  se  %  and 
expressly  that  part  which  >><  }>cl'!veen  the  siii]  is, and  of  Or- 
leans and  th  ^  right  link  of  tin;  river,  as  well  a,*^:  the  passage 
both  in  and  out  of  its  moitth.  Il  is  iurih(  uipuiaied,  that 
the  vessels  belonging  to  ihe  subjects  of  either,  shaU  not  be 
stopped,  visited,  or  subjetled  io  the  payment  of  any  duty 
whafsoever.* 

The  king  of  Great-Britain  made  a  restoration  of  all  his 
conquests  m  the  West-Indies  to  the  king  of  Spain.  In 
consequence  of  which,  his  catholic  majesty,  in  the  twenti- 
eth article,  made  to  his  Britannic  majesty  an  ample  ces- 
,  ',  sion  of  Florida,  St.  Augustinv';,  the  bay  of  Pensacola,  and 
all  that  Spain  possessed  on  the  continent  of  North-America, 
to  the  east  or  to  the  south-east  of  the  river  Mississippi.  A 
cession  was  also  made,  of  every  thing  dependant  on  said 
country  or  lands,  with  the  sovereignty,  property*  posses- 
sion, and  all  rights  acquired  by  treaties,  or  otherwise,  which 
ever  the  catholic  king,  or  crown  of  Spain,  had  over  the 
said  countries. 
Liberties  In  the  fourth,  seventh,  and  twentieth  articles,  it  was  stipu- 
granted  to  ]ated  by  his  Britannic  majesty,  that  the  inhabitants  of  the 
tatlwUcfl"*  respective  countries  above  ceded,  by  France  and  Spain, 
should  be  allowed  the  enjoyment  of  the  Roman  catholic  re- 
ligion ;  and  that  he  would  give  the  most  express  and  ef- 
fectual orders,  that  his  new  Roman  catholic  subjects  might 
profess  the  exercise  of  their  religion,  according  to  the 
rights  of  the  Romish  church,  so  far  as  should  be  consistent 
with  the  laws  of  Great-Britain.  It  was  further  stipulated, 
that  the  inhabitants  of  said  countries  might  sell  their  estates 
to  British  subjects,  and  retire,  with  all  safety  and  freedom, 
wherever  they  shall  think  proper.  They  were  also  allow- 
ed to  i-emove  their  effects,  as  well  as  persons,  without  any 
*  Bider'8  Hist.  voU.  ,         ? 


;/. 


Chap.  XXII. 


CONiNECTIClT. 


453 


restraint  in  their  emigration,  under  any  pretence  what^o-  Book  II. 
ever,  except  in  casesof  debt,  a  iid  of  criminal  prosecutions,  v^'"^^^^-^ 
The  time  of  emigration  was  limited  to  eighteen  months,    1763. 
from  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  of  the  treaty.  These 
were  the  principal  stipulations  relative  to  the  continent  of 
America. 

Signally  conspicuous  was  that  all-governing  Providence, 
which,  for  so  many  years,  by  sea  and  land,  in  Europe  and 
America,  and  in  other  quarters  of  the  world,  combined  such 
a  variety  of  circumstances,  as  united  their  influence  in  tnis 
great  event.  In  this  important  treaty,  the  American  colo- 
nies saw  the  enemy  which  had  given  them  such  immense 
trouble,  caused  iliom  so  many  years  of  fear  and  sorrow, 
such  an  incredible  expense  of  blood  and  treasure,  either 
removed  from  the  continent,  or  reduced  to  circumstances 
in  which  they  were  so  far  from  injuring  them,  that  they 
could  not  but  contribute  to  their  emolument,  and  to  the 
wealth  and  grandeur  of  Great-Britain.  The  treaty  wa;>  ivace  fa- 
peculiarly  favourable  with  respect  to  the  colonies,  in  that  vourabie 
extent  of  ten-itory  which  it  secured  to  them.  In  the  extent  |°^!^^  *^°' 
and  security  which  it  gave  them,  relative  to  their  fisheries 
and  commerce,  and  in  every  other  respect,  relating  to  their 
particular  interests,  it  was  favourable,  whatever  deficien- 
cies there  might  be  in  it  with  respect  to  the  other  interests 
of  Great-Britain.  In  this,  pious  people  could  discover 
something  very  providential,  that  though  the  colonies  had 
no  hand  nor  influence  in  the  treaty,  yet  thai  it  was  more 
favourable  for  them,  than  it  was  for  the  nation  in  general. 

Great  and  universal  was  the  joy  which  the  return  of  Joyonthe 
peace  gave  to  the  English  colonies  in  America.   For  near-  general 
ly  ei^ht  years,  they  had  been  making  the  most  strenuous  |^q„'     ' 
exertions  to  carry  on  the  war,  and  to  assist  his  majesty 
in  humbling  the  pride  of  their  common  enemy.     Their  Burthens 
burthens  and  losses  had  been  great.     As  the  provincials  of  the  war. 
enlisted  for  one  campaign  only,  a  new  army  was  to  be 
raised,  new  bounties  given,  and  new  clothing  to  be  furnish- 
ed, every  spring.     So  great  was  the  expense,  that  the  colo- 
nies were  obliged,  not  only  to  emit  bills  of  credit  to  a  great 
amount,  but  to  tax  the  people  as  highly  as  they  could  bear. 
Besides  the  public  bounties  given  by  the  colonies,  the  mer- 
chants, farmers,  and  gentlemen  of  character,  were  obliged 
to  advance  considerable  sums  to  encourage  the  enlistments, 
or  they  must  have  left  their  farms,  merchandize,  and  vari- 
ous employments,  and  gone  into  actual  service.  Especial- 
ly was  this  the  case  with  the  northern  colonies.     New-  Supplies 
England,  in  general,  had,  during  the  war,  ten  thousand  ^™  ^V^' 
men  in  the  field.    Some  years,  the  two  colonies  of  Massa*   "^  *"  ■ 


*        u  If 

■   '1 

:  i 

wm 


451 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXU. 


Book  II.  clnisotts  and  Connocticut  furnished  thai  number.  Massn- 
^.^■^^-w/  chusctts  annually  »ent  inlo  the  field  five  thousand  fivr  lnm- 
1763.  dre<l  men,  and  one  year,  seven  thousand.  Besides  heran- 
tiual  qtiola,  this  colony,  for  several  years,  garrisoned  Loii- 
isburg  and  Nova-Smiia,  that  the  regular  troops  might  hv 
employed  in  the  expeditions  against  Canada.  On  the  aj)- 
j)lication  of  the  British  admiral,  she  furnished  five  hundred 
^eamen,  in  the  expeditions  against  Louisburg  and  Quebec, 
At  several  times,  many  others  were  impressed  out  of  iIk; 
vessels  employed  in  the  fishery.  According  to  the  stale- 
inent  made  by  governor  Bernard,  ;uid  transmitted  to  tlio 
lords  of  trade,  the  colony  had  expended  in  the  war,  eiglu 
hundred  and  eighteen  thousand  pounds  sterling.*  Of  this 
sum,  three  hundred  and  twenty-eight  thousand  pounds  had 
been  replaced  by  parliamentary  grants.  Four  hundred 
nnd  ninety  thousand  pounds  were  expended,  for  which  tho 
colony  had  no  parliamentary  compensation. 
Particu-  From  the  resolutions  of  the  assembly,  it  appears  tliaf 
lariy  from  Connecticut  exerted  herself  more,  beyond  her  proportion, 
Connecti-  ^y^^^  Massachusetts.  On  the  commencement  of  the  war  iu 
1 755,  she  raised  a  thousand  men  for  the  service.  After  tho 
battle  at  the  lake,  on  the  6th  of  September,  she  sent  on  a 
detachment  of  two  thousand  of  her  militia.  From  this 
time  to  the  close  of  the  campaign,  she  had  about  three  thou- 
sand  men  in  the  field,  The  next  year  Connecticut  sent 
into  actual  service  two  thousand  and  five  huhdred  men. 
This  was  more  than  double  the  number  required  by  the 
commander  in  chief.  Such  was  her  zeal  for  his  majesty's 
service  that,  lest  the  cause  ?*>ould  suffer  by  the  failure  of 
the  southern  colonies  to  furnish  their  respective  quotas,  she 
exerted  herself  in  this  duplicate  proportion.  In  1 757,  the 
requisition  of  the  commander  in  chief  was  fourteen  hun- 
dred only.  These  were  not  only  raised,  but  on  the  intelli- 
gence  that  fort  William  Henry  was  attacked,  she,  with  un- 
common dispatch,  sent  forward  a  detachment  of  five  thou- 
sand of  her  militia :  so  that,  for  some  time,  the  colony  had 
about  six  thousand  men  in  actual  service. 

As  she  was  called  upon  the  next  year,  by  his  majesty 
and  the  commander  in  chief,  to  raise  all  the  men  in  her 
power,  the  colony  exerted  itself  beyond  all  former  exam- 
ple, and  sent  into  service  about  five  thousand  men.  Gen- 
eral Amherst,  taking  advantage  of  the  zeal  of  the  colo- 
ny this  voar,  made  this  number  the  rule  of  his  demand  dur- 
ing the  war.  This  was  a  number  far  beyond  her  propor- 
tion, and  was  a  heavy  burthen  on  the  colony.  The  ex- 
pense of  this  small  commonwealth,  during  tho  war,  from 
*  Goverpor  Bernard*!  letftr,  August  3,  1764^ 


w 


•Sf- 


Chap.  XXII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


455 


I*  III' 
the  war. 


1755,  to  17G3,  inclusively,  after  deducting  the  parli.imrn-  Book  If. 
tary  grants,  amounted  to  upwards  of  four  hundred  thou-  ^^^^^.r-Xi^ 
j»and  pounds.*  170. J. 

Besides  the  public  expense,  that  of  individuals  was  ve*  Ki>< ' 
ry  considerable.  It  was  sotnctimcs  at  a  sreat  premium  ^' 
that  they  could  obtain  substitutes ;  much  time  was  spent 
by  the  officers  of  the  uiililia,  and  principal  men  in  the  sev- 
eral towns,  in  procuring  arms,  clothing,  and  other  articles 
for  the  troops,  for  which  they  had  no  compensation.  Of 
these,  and  numerous  other  incidental  expenses,  losses,  and 
damages,  no  estimate  can  be  made.  Exclusive  of  the  men 
raised  by  the  colonies,  under  the  general  name  of  provin- 
cials, many  of  their  inhabitants  enlisted  into  the  regular 
regiments,  and  were  among  their  grenadiers  and  very  best 
troops.  They  were  in  the  sharpest  actions  and  severest 
services  during  the  war.  The  royal  American  battalions, 
which  were  not  inferior  to  any  of  the  regular  regiments, 
were  raisdd  wholly  from  the  colonics.  Numbers  were  im- 
pressed on  board  his  majesty's  ships ;  many  were  employ- 
ed in  privateering,  and  other  services  relating  to  the  war. 
The  whole  number  employed  was  very  great.  The  colo- 
nies probably  sustained  the  loss  of  considerably  more  than 
twenty  thousand  men.  These,  in  general,  were  their  most 
firm  and  hardy  young  men,  the  flower  of  their  country. 
Many  others  were  maimed  and  enervated,  in  the  many 
distant  and  arduous  campaigns  during  the  war.  As  the 
New-England  colonies  furnished  much  the  greatest  number 
of  men,  so  this  loss  fell  with  the  heaviest  weight  upon 
them.  Connecticut,  as  she  exerted  herself  so  much  be- 
yond her  proportion,  necessarily  sustained  a  greater  loss 
in  proportion  to  her  inhabitants,  than  the  other  colonies. 

The  employment  of  so  many  men,  for  such  a  number  of 
years,  in  the  war,  injured  th*  husbandry  and  settlement  of 
the  country.  -  The  loss  of  so  many  young  men,  and  the 
prevention  of  marriage  for  so  many  years,  with  respect  to 
others,  greatly  retarded  population*  At  the  same  time, 
the  war  was  unfriendly  to  literatore,  destructive  of  domes- 
tic happiness,  and  injurious  to  piety  and  the  social  virtues. 
The  country  thirsted  for  peace. 

A  deliverance  from  these  evils,  the  return  of  parents,  Joy  and 
brethren,  and  friends,  from  distant  countries,  from  •****  5**^ 


sons. 


the  colo- 


captivity  and  the  dangers  of  war,  to  the  embraces  of  each  pj^g  q„  J,,^ 
other,  with  the  countless  blessings  of  peace,  diffused  a  gen-  return  of 
eral  and  uncommon  joy.    The  extent  of  territory  ceded  to  peace, 
the  colonies,  the  safety  of  their  commerce  and  fishery,  the 

*  Reanons  offered  in  behalf  of  Connecticut  against  the  internal  taxation 
«f  the  colonies,  printed  »t  New-Haven,  1764,  written  by  govenjor  Fitch. 


i 


i--  ^ 


I ) 


v 


i  ;■ 


It  '!h 


456 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXI». 


Book  IT,  prodigious  stone  which  presented  itself  for  both,  the  in 
crease  of  wealtn,   the  extent  of  settlement,  the  advaticc- 


17C3.    ment  of  population,  and  the  genend  diffusion  of  happi 

dad 


all  united  their  influence  to  bring  in  n  full  tide  of  gladness. 
That  high  point  of  honor  and  magnificence,  to  whir  li  tlio 
nation  had  been  elevated,  the  extension  of  her  empire,  tlio 
flow  of  the  whole  trade  and  wealth  of  Canada  and  of  this 
great  continent  into  her  Ian,  whom  they  esteemed  as  a  pa- 
rent, and  to  whom  they  claimed  the  relation  of  children ; 
the  honors  acquired  in  so  glorious  a  war,  with  the  advan- 
tages of  a  peace  which  gave  such  lustre  to  the  crown,  and 
aggrandizement  to  a  prince  whom  they  loved,  were  so  ma- 
ny circumstances  enlivening  the  joy,  and  increasing  tho 
satisfaction  which  so  universally  prevailed.*  The  colonies 
gloried  in  their  prince,  and  in  their  relation  to  Great  Bri< 
tain.  They  felt  a  high  degree  of  satisfaction,  and  it  was 
no  small  part  of  their  pride  that,  with  their  fellow  subjects 
of  the  mother  country,  they  had  shared  in  the  labors  and 
enterprises,  and  with  them  had  mingled  their  blood  in  those 
battles  and  victories,  on  the  continent  and  in  the  Indies, 
which  had  given  such  lustre  to  her  arms,  and  enlargement 
to  her  empire. 

They  were  impressed  with  a  grateful  sense  of  the  royal 
beneficence,  and  parliamentary  goodness,  in  the  grants 
which  had  been  made  for  their  assistance,  in  defraying  the 
expenses  of  the  war.  They  were  entirely  satisfied  with 
the  British  government,  and  conceived  themselves  to  be 
peculiarly  happy  in  the  protection  and  privileges  which 
they  enjoyed,  as  British  subjects.  This  was  the  general 
feeling  and  happy  state  of  the  country,  at  the  return  of 
peace. 

The  extension  of  settlements,  the  increase  of  cultivation, 
numbers,  commerce,  and  wealth  of  the  colonies,  for  about 
ten  or  twelve  years  after  the  pacification  of  Paris,  were 
almost  i,ncrediDle.  During  the  war,  and  this  whole  subse- 
quent period,  money  was  plenty,  and  suffered  no  deprecia- 
tion. Pro'  isions  of  every  kind,  especially  pork  and  beef, 
were  in  the  best  demand.  This  called  forth  the  utmost  ex- 
ertions of  the  husbandman,  in  the  cultivation  of  his  fields, 
and  enabled  him  with  facility  to  pay  the  taxes  which  the 
state  of  the  country  demanded.  It  was  the  policy  of  Con- 
necticut, in  this  favorable  period,  to  tax  the  people  as  high- 
ly as  they  could  cheerfully  bear,  providing  substantial 
iunds,  in  •-  hort  periods,  for  the  payment  of  their  whole  debt. 
To  assist  them  in  supporting  the  war,  the  legislature  call- 
ed in  all  their  outstanding  debts.  Contracts  were  made 
with  the  British  commi'^sary,  annually,  for  several  years, 


riur.  XXII!. 


CONNKCTICl  T. 


iS7 


for  provisions  to  tho  amoii'it  of  four  (hoiHnrkd  poiimls  stcr-  Book  II. 
ling.     This  was  paid  in        loy.  or  in  hills  of  exchange,  s,^-^^^' 
These  contracts  were  priru  ipally  for  pork.     At  the   same    17G3. 
lime,  great  qua ntilies  of  fresh  provisions  were  furnished 
ifie  armies,  in  droves  of  fal  cattle.     The  merchant-*  h;id  a 
safe  and  prosperous  trade.     Especially  after  the  peace,  ati 
almost  boundless  scope  of  commerce  and  enterprise,  was 
given  to  the  ( olonists.     In  these  favorable  circumstances, 
with  tfie  return  of  thousamls  of  her  bra\  e  and  industrious 
inhabitants,  to  the  cultivation  of  their  fields,  and  the  vari- 
ous arts  and  labors  of  peace,  the  colony  was  soon  able  to 
exonerate  itself  from  Ine  debt  contracted  by  the  war.    The 
other  colonies,  who  adopted  a  diii'ercnt  policy,  and  neg- 
lected to  tax  the  people,  m  these  favorable  periods,   were 
a  long  time  burdened  with  a  heavy  tax. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Unexpected  Indian  rear.  The  reasons  of  it.  The  encmi/ 
ravage  the  frontiers  of  the  southern  colonies.  Take  seve- 
ral English  forts.  Attempt  the  reduction  of  forts  Pitt^ 
Detroit,  and  Magara-  Battle  at  Detroit,  The  enemy 
attack  colonel  Bouquet,  and  are  defeated.  They  destroy- 
ed a  detachment  of  men  near  Niagara. 


humbled,  and  made  peace. 


Were  finally 


AT  a  time  when  there  seemed  to  be  the  fairest  pros- 
pect of  a  long  and  universal  peace  in  America,  the 
southern  colonies  were  suddenly  involved  in  a  destructive 
Indian  war.  In  1761,  a  firm  peace  had  been  made  with 
the  Cherokees.  Three  of  their  chief  men  soon  after  visit- 
ed Great-Britain,  and  there  confirmed  it  witli  the  British 
court.  About  the  same  time,  Sir  William  Johnstn  made  a 
tour  among  the  Indian  nations,  to  quiet  the  fears  ami  Jcal-  Reasons  ot 
ousies  which  might  have  been  occasioned  by  th*  conquest*^'' '"^'*'* 
of  Canada.  These  fears  and  jealousies,  it  seems,  had  been  ^^"' 
fomented  by  French  emissaries,  with  much  industry  and 
success.  The  same  year  a  conference  had  been  held  be- 
tween several  of  the  American  governors  and  the  six  na- 
tions, with  a  view  of  ratifying  fornrer  treaties,  and  of  more 
rntirely  conciliating  and  fixmg  their  friendship.  At  this 
conference,  a  warm  dispute  arose  on  account  of  certain 
lands,  of  which  a  Delaware  chief  complained  that  certain 

H  3 


t  ■ 
i 


pKan 


■  y. 


)  \ 


i* 


Pit. 


^:,z 


Ifl.ST(»llY  OF 


CijAP.  KXHU 


FV)oii  If.  liii;,li'.li  -(  iiIpi.s  had  l.ikiii  jtosBe^Moii  it. »  OMsn(|iicric«  of  ,i 
-^  .-x^  I'raiuliilcdl  coiivcyaiK'e.'.  'I  lioiigli  i- .  iiiir.iti-ity  apiiciiml 
I7C J.  at  (li.'it  tinu'  to  l>c  in  sonic  nuaMirc  ikitcd,  and  to  siil>Hii)f. 
yet  the  Indiana  were  hy  no  mcanit  hatisfied  *  To  this 
ground  of  dis!>ati.sfa(  tion,  fhcir  wa;*  an  n^idition  of  inany 
niorr.  The  Frttitli  had»'vor  paid  a  nioro  flattering  ancii 
tioti  to  liic  Indiairs  than  the  English  ever  doigr>ed  lo  fthow 
them.  Their  eoncjiiests  now  inade  them  haughty,  and  thrv 
ffcafcd  du'se  iiidc  neighbonfK  vfith  less  condescension  and 
detornm,  than  had  before  been  usual.  And  besides,  con 
(lary  to  the  faith  of  treaties,  selliements  had  been  ma<l('  be- 
yond  our  just  limits,  f  Wc  had  afso  drawn  a  line  of  foris 
rounil  their  best  hiinfing  grounds,;  and  their  Mispicioiis 
were,  that  the  F'nglish  had  concerted  a  plan  for  their  total 
extirpation. 

These  injuries  and  stispicirtns  having  routed  the  resent 
ment  of  the  Shawanese  and  Delaware  iiid'ians,  they  unitr d 
with  the  other  tribes  along  the  Ohio ;  and  having  drawn  thr 
Indians  aboiit  lOefroit,  and  a  considerable  part  of  the  clans 
on  this  side  of  fiie  Mississippi,  into  their  measures,  they 
determined  to  make  a  suduen  and  general  attack  on  the 
frontiers  at  the  same  time.     That  they  might,  at  one  blov., 
cut  oil'  both  the  inhabitants  and  all  their  means  of  subsist- 
ence, they  resolved  to  begin  thci^  work  of  destruction  ;u 
the  time  of  harvest.     Theii^plan  was  concerted  with  un- 
common art  and  secrecy.     Tbev  made  their  irruption  so 
tmexpcclcdly,  so  generally,  and  with  such  violence,  thai, 
before  any  relief  could  be  obtained,  great  numbers  of  the 
4.      .       inhabitants  were  masacred,  their  houses  burned,  and  their 
Ihh" waste  cop^  ruined,  with  all  the  marks  of  horror  and  cruelty  al- 
and desert- tending  an  Indian  war.      In  consequence  of  the  general 
"^•.  alarm  and  consternation,  all  the  frontiers  of  Pennsylvania, 

Maryland  and  Virginia,  for  twenty  miles  back  mto  the 
country,  with  thousands  of  fine  settlements,  wore  abandon- 
ed to  the  enemy.  The  travelling  merchants,  who,  under 
the  security  of  a  general  peace,  were  trading  in  the  Indian 
country,  were  murdered,  and  their  effects  plundered. 
These  were  estimated  at  several  hundred  thousand  pounds. 
But  that  which,  in  a  military  vietir,  was  considered  as  ol 
•  much  greater  importance,  was  the  capture  of  le  Bceuf,  Ve- 
nango, and  Presque  Isle.  These  forts  were  advantageou^• 
ly  situated,  so  as  to  command  the  heads  of  all  the  navigable 
livers,  southward  of  lake  Erie,  and  were  important  to  keep 
Dp  the  communication  between  fort  Pitt  and  the  lakes,  and 
tlie  posts  north  of  them.    The  Indians  madie  themselves 

*  ltidcr*»  History  of  England,  vol.  xlviii,  p.  64,  60,  and  toI.  xlix.  p.  33. 
i  l^Lc  !-ume,  vol.  I.  v.  43,  40. 


nur.  XXIII. 


roNNKCTUi'T. 


4.10 


m:i!«(rr!(  of  these  forts,  rnthrr  hy  «ir.ii.i£r''rn  titan  \>'j  any  I»)  .k  If. 
jMjwcr  sufficient  to  havf  nvliirrfl  ihrni.     'I'hry   |)ni<':i»|M|  ^.^^z"*^ 
.rt  the  iK)l(lirr»,  that  tliry  had  nit  otVthe  other  t^arii  on*,    iTG). 
ifoastcfl  of  the  great  minib<*rn  they  had  with  thrn»,  ■ukI  iiuuI'; 
ihom  the  most  flattering  promises  of?»afely  and  ^oo(hlsa^(•. 
When,  by  these  arts,  they  had  inchiced   ihcrn  to  ijivc   ii|) 
(hese  posts,  (hey  conunooly  violated  their  pronii><rH,  nnd 
killed  or  captivated  them.     By  the  same  means  they  got 
possession  of  Michilimakiiiack. 

Flushed  with  these  successes,  they  oltempted  to  refhicc 
Ibrt  Pitt,  Detroit,  and  Niagara.  Though  the  theatre  of  thi* 
Indian  war  was  of  vast  extent,  thou{,jh  the  diilerent  nations 
were  separated  by  immense  tracts  of  country,  yet  in  their 
operations  they  preserved  an  admirable  degree  of  connec- 
tion and  concert.  At  the  same  time,  they  invested  fort  Pitt 
and  Detroit,  though  at  a  great  distance  from  each  other. 

The   commander   in   chief,  apprised  of  the  danger  to 
which  all  the  western  posts  were  exposed,  detached  strong 
reinforcements  to  those  garrisons.    Captain  Dalyell  con- 
ducted the  reinforcement  dispatched  to  Detroit.     After  his 
arrival  at  the  fort  with  his  reinforcement,  he  imagined,  from 
the  intelligence  given  him,  that  he  could  surprise  the  ene- 
my, and  drive  them  entirely  from  that  settlement.      With 
this  view,  it  was  determined  to  make  an  attack  on  their 
4;amp,  which  lay  at  the  distance  of  about  three  miles  from 
<he  fort.     Between  two  and  three  of  the  clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, cantain  Dalyell,  with  two  hundred  and  seventy  men, 
began  nis  march  with  all  possible  secrecy  and  precaution. 
But  the  Indians  were  so  vigilant  and  sharp  sighted,  that 
(hey  discovered  his  party,  lined  the  hedges,  posted  them- 
.selves  behind  houses,  and  took  the  most  effectual  measures 
10  annoy  and   defeat  him.     Before  he  had  reached  their 
camp,  he  was  saluted  with  a  severe  fire  in  his  front.     In- 
stantly it  commenced  in  his  rear,  and  soon  it  became  furi-  !!*!''*'/'' 
ous  and  destructive  on  every  side.     The  cantain  fell  in  the 
beginning  of  the  action.     The  darkness  of  the  night  pre- 
vented a  sight  of  the  Indians,  and  the  whole  party  were  at 
once  on  the  point  of  irreparable  disorder  and  ruin.      In      \/  | 
this  emergency,  captain  Grant,  on  whom  the  command  de-        .■•.<•■.. 
volved,  saw  that  his  only  safety  was  in  a  speedy  retreat. 
To  effect  this,  he  made  a  spirited  charge  upon  the  enemy  : 
by  this  they  were  soon  driven  from  the  roads,  and  repulsed 
in  every  quarter.     The  English  having  thus  extricated 
(hemselvea,  returned  to  the  fort.     But  it  was  an  unfortu- 
nate affair,  in  which  seventy  men  were  killed,  and  forty 
wounded.     The  Indians  now  finding  the  garrison  to  be  nu- 
merous  and  well  supplied,  despairing  of  any  further  suf> 
;:css,  soon  withdrew,  aod  gave  them  no  more  troublr'. 


460 
Book  H. 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXII f. 


Attack  on 
colonel 
Bouquet, 
Aug.  5th. 


Meanwhile,  fort  I'itt  was  so  closely  surrounded  on  nil 
sides,  that  all  rommunicaiion,  even  by  private  m«  ssago, 
was  cut  off  between  that  and  the  country.  The  Indians, 
in  some  measure,  supplied  their  want  of  skill  and  cannon, 
by  their  incredible  lK)ldness  and  perseverance.  Regard- 
less of  danger,  and  with  a  resolution  which  would  have 
don';  honour  to  the  best  troops,  they  took  post  under  the 
banks  of  the  river,  close  to  the  fort,  and  burying  theni- 
seives  in  holes,  for  several  days  together,  poured  in  upon 
it  an  incessant  storm  of  shot  and  fire  arrows.  Captain  Ecuy- 
ej",  who  commanded  the  garrison,  took  evbry  precaution 
which  judgment  or  art  could  suggest,  and  defended  himself 
yyh'^  no  less  zeal  and  perseverance,  than  the  enemy  made 
thcii-  as^auU. 

G  ?neral  Amherst  well  knew  the  importance  of  this  post, 
and  had  detached  colonel  Bouquet,  a  trusty  officer,  with  a, 
large  quantity  of  provisions  and  military  stores,  under  a 
.strong  escort,  for  its  relief.  When  the  colonel  had  advan- 
ced to  the  remotest  part  of  the  English  settlements,  he 
could  not  obtain  the  least  intelligence  of  the  state  of  the 
garrison,  or  of  the  numbers,  position,  or  motions  of  the 
enemy.  In  these  circumstances,  he  determined  to  prepare 
for  the  Avorst,  and  disengaged  himself  from  all  ammunition 
and  provisions,  which  did  not  appear  to  be  absolutely  ne- 
cessary. Having  thus  disencumbered  himself,  the  army 
entered  a  rough  and  mountainous  country,  Before  him 
lay  a  dangerous  defile,  called  Turtle  Creek,  several  miles 
in  length.  On  both  sides,  it  was  encompassed  with  steep 
and  craggy  hills.  Aft^r  refreshing  his  troops,  it  was  de- 
termined, if  posf  ible,  to  elude  the  observation  of  the  ene- 
my, and  pass  this  defile  in  the  night.  Though,  ih^  colonel 
had  not  been  able  to  ob»'  in  the  least  intelngence  of  the 
enemy,  yet  this  alert  and  keen  sighted  %e  had  discovered 
his  party;  and  finding  that  a  reinforcement  was  coming 
on,  they  immediately  raised  the  siege  of  fort  Pitt,  and,  ta- 
king the  route  by  which  they  knew  the  arnay  must  pass,  de- 
termined to  surprise  it  the  first  favourable  opportunity. 

While  the  English  were  making  the  necessary  a^rrange- 
mcnts  for  refreshment  and  repose,  after  a  fatiguing  march 
of  seventeen  miles  that  day,  their  advanced  gu^rd  was  sud- 
denly and  furiously  attacked.  This  was  so  expeditiously 
and  firmly  supported,  that  the  enemy  were  soon  obliged  to 
fly,  and  the  English  pursued  them  to  a  considerable  dis- 
tance. But  that  which,  with  another  enemy,  would  have 
been  considered  as  a  defeat,  and  victory,  in  this  case  seem- 
ed only  as  an  artful  relaxation  or  amusement.  So  far  were 
tt^e  enemy  frona  abandoning  the  field,  that  the  mopicut  the 


Chap.  XXIII." 


CONNECTICUT. 


461 


}iurftuit  ended,  ihey  returned,  with  redoubled  fury,  to  the  Book  II. 
Ufiht.     Several  other  parties,  who  lay  in  ambush  in  the  v^-n^-^/ 
high  grounds,  alon^  the  Hanks  of  the  army,  now  sprang  up,    17G3. 
and  rushing  on  to  the  encounter,  with  a  resolution  no  less 
than  that  of  their  companions,   galled  the  English  with 
a  furious  and  obstinate  fire.     To  dislodge  them  from  the 
high  grounds,  it  was  necessary  to  make  a  charge  with  the 
whole  line.     This  succeeded,  but  produced  nothing  deci- 
sive.    No  sooner  were  the  savages  driven  from  one  place, 
than  they  sprang  up  in  another.     Such  were  the  reinforce- 
ments which  constantly  came  rushing  on  to  the  battle,  that, 
at  length,  the  whole  detachment  was  completely  surround- 
ed. 

Having  thus  surrounded  the  army,  and  drawn  it  some 
distance  from  the  convoy,  they  commenced  a  furious  at- 
tack upon  that.  It  now  became  immediately  necessary 
tor  the  main  body  to  fall  back,  or  the  convoy  would  be  in- 
stantly lost.  This  was  effected  with  the  utmost  address 
and  resolution.  But  the  enemy  were  not  intimidated;  the 
action,  every  moment,  became  more  warm  and  general. 
The  troops  were  attacked  on  every  side,  and  with  incred- 
ible spirit  and  obstinacy  did  the  savages  support  and 
press  their  charge.  During  the  whole  of  this  serious  ac- 
tion, which  took  so  many  shapes,  and  in  which  so  many 
manoeuvres  were  necessary,  the  English  were  not  thrown 
into  the  least  disorder,  but,  by  their  firm  and  steady  con- 
duct, and  superior  discipline,  maintained  the  field,  and, 
with  fixed  bayonets,  drove  the  enemy  from  all  their  posts. 
Nearly  seven  hours  did  the  action  continue,  without  the 
least  intermission.  It  began  about  one  o'clock  in  the  af- 
fernoon,  and  continued  until  the  approach  of  night  termi- 
nated the  action. 

The  ground  on  which  the  battle  was  fought,  was  tolera- 
bly convenient  for  an  encampment.  The  wounded  men 
and  convoy  were  placed  in  the  centre,  and  the  army  was 
marshalled  in  a  circle  round  the  whole.  In  this  manner 
the  troops  passed  an  anxious  night,  obliged  to  the  strictest 
vigilance,  d^'  a  subtile  and  enterprising  foe,  who,  at  some 
distance,  still  encompassed  them  about. 

On  the  first  dawn  of  the  morning,  they  began  to  show  Tlie  actioa 
themselves  on  every  side  of  the  camp.     At  the  distance  of ''p°«"^^» 
about  five  hundred  yards,  they  presented  themselves  round    ^^* 
the  whole  of  it;  ond,  by  an  ostentation  of  their  numbers, 
and  the  most  horrib5e  shouting  and  yelling,  round  the  whole 
circumference,  they  attempted  to  intimidate,  and  strike  the 
whole  army  with  tenor.     Upon  this  signal,  they  furiously 
renewed  the  attack.    The  English,  exhausted  as  they  were, 


#  I 


'I 
t  I 

I 


S-l 


i;i,. 


!i: 


rrr 


AC,2 


HISTORY  OK 


Chap.  XXIII. 


Rook  II.  with  tlic  fiiti^uing  and  terrible  action  of  the  prcre»Iinj;r|nv, 
^.^'^^-x-/ anil  the  ;nixirtics  of  a  sleepless  night,  were  instantly  ralk'tj 
1763.  tf>  sorvicc,  which  ro(jiiircci  the  utmost  vigour  of  bo<ly  a^  . 
mind.  Beside  their  other  distresses,  they  suffered  th  ca- 
lamity of  a  total  want  of  water.  In  this  hot  seaso-  ,  will) 
the  agitation  of  their  spirits,  their  thirst  was  inexjicssihlr, 
and  the  want  of  water  more  intolerable  than  the  tire  of  tlu.' 
enemy.  In  these  circumstances,  they  were  excecdin;^ly 
pressed  from  every  quarter. 

Under  the  advantage  of  an  incessant  fire,  the  enemy 
made  the  most  daring  and  repeated  attempts  to  pencfnu*! 
the  centre  of  the  camp.  In  every  attempt  they  were  ic- 
pulsed,  yet  their  attempts  were  again  and  again  renewed, 
without  discouragement  and  without  dismay.  The  Eng- 
lish were  constantly  victorious,  and  yet  constantly  in  dan- 
ger. Their  most  spirited  exertions  made  no  decisive  im- 
pressions on  the  enemy.  When  pressed,  they  always  gave 
way,  but  the  moment  the  pursuit  was  over,  they  returned 
to  the  attack  \yith  as  much  spirit  and  alacrity  as  ever.  Tiie 
Knglishwere  confined  to  their  convoy,  and  could  not  lose 
sight  of  it  a  moment,  without  exposing  that  interesting  ob- 
ject, with  all  their  wounded  men,  to  be  an  instant  prey  to 
the  enemy.  Many  of  the  horses  were  killed  and  disabled, 
and  numbers  of  the  drivers  were  stupified  with  fear,  hid 
in  the  bushes,  and  were  incapable  of  hearing  or  obeying 
orders.  To  advance  or  retreat  was  equally  impracticable. 
In  these  circumstances,  they  saw  before  them  the  melan- 
choly prospect  of  crumbling  away  and  perishing  in  a  drea- 
ry wilderness,  without  honor,  or  revenge.  Each  moment 
the  fate  of  Braddock  was  presented  to  their  view.  Besides, 
they  foresaw  that,  in  their  fall,  that  of  the  important  gar- 
rison of  fort  Pitt,  would  be  involved.  In  this  most  critical 
and  distressed  situation,  the  commander  conceivecj  an  ex- 
pedient which  succeeded  to  his  wishes. 

Observing  the  eagerness  and  temerity  of  the  enemy,  he 
determined  to  take  advantage  of  it,  and,  if  possible,  bring 
them  to  a  more  close  engagement.  For  this  purpose,  he 
Ordered  two  companies,  who  had  been  posted  in  the  most 
advanced  situation,  to  reiire  within  the  circle  ;  the  troops 
on  the  light  and  left  opened  their  files,  seemingly  to  cover 
their  retreat,  and  to  fill  up  the  vacancy  which  had  been 
made  by  this  movement.  A  company  of  light  infantry  and 
another  of  grenadiers,  were  ordered  to  support  the  two 
companies  who  feigned  the  retreat.  The  movements 
were  made,  and  the  plan  executed,  without  the  least  con- 
fusion. At  the  same  time,  the  thin  line  of  troops  which 
occupied  the  ground  whence  the  advanced  companies  had 


C'liAP.XXIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


4G3 


been  withdrawn,  moved  back  toward  the  centre  of  thcrir-  Book  IF. 
cle,  giving  ground  to  the  enemy.     They,  mistaking  these  v.^-n^-^^ 
motions  tor  a rcl'cat,  rushed  in  headlong  from  the  woods    17G3. 
ind  fastnesses  which  covered  them,  and  advancing,  with  a 
most  daring  intrepidity,  within  the  circle,  poured  in  a  ter- 
rible and  galling  fire  upon  the  English.     At  the  moment 
ihcy  imagined  themselves  masters  of  the  camp,  two  ol  the 
lour  companies,  which  had  been  ordered  for  that  purpose, 
made  a  sudden  turn,  unobserved  by  the  enemy,  and  charg- 
(d  them  furiously  upon  their  right  ilank.     The  enemy  re- 
ceived them  with  firmness,  kept  a  good  countenance,  and 
returned  the  fire  with  resolution.     But,  as  these  two  com- 
panies were  making  a  second  charge,  with  great  spirit  and 
energy,  on  their  flank,  the  other  two  companies  advancing^ 
poured  in  a  heavy  and  well  directed  fire  upon  their  front, 
and,  by  this  unexpected  exertion,  put  them  to  an  immedi- 
ate rout.     The  four  companies  pursued  them  with  such''''^*'"*"  , 
resolution  and  celerity,  as  gave  them  not  a  moment  to  col-  ^^  *"^^' 
Icct,  or  look  behind  them,  till  they  were  totally  dispersed. 
The  enemy  round  the  camp,  during  this  fierce  engagement 
in  the  front,  were  awed  and  kept  in  play  by  the  rest  of  the 
army,  and  when  they  perceived  that  their  comrades  were 
routed,  they  soon  followed  their  example,  and  fled. 

This  happy  manoeuvre  rescued  the  army  from  apparent 
destruction.  It  gained  the  field  and  cleared  the  acljacent 
woods.  By  it  the  enemy  were  entirely  disheartened,  as 
they  had  lost  more  than  sixty  men  in  these  various  encoun- 
ters, besides  a  great  number  who  had  been  wounded. 
Among  these,  were  a  number  of  their  bravest  warriors, 
who  had  most  distinguished  themselves  by  the  fierceness 
of  their  attack,  and  their  animosity  against  the  Engrish.  (n 
their  fall,  was  extinguished  no  small  pr  of  the  fuel  of 
war.* 

Though  the  victory  had  been  gained,  after  this  hard 
fought  battle,  yet  the  marching  of  the  army  was  a  matter 
of  great  difficulty.  It  had  sustaine"^  the  loss  oftifty  men, 
and  sixty  had  been  wounded.  At  liie  very  time  when  an 
additional  number  of  horses  were  necessary,  on  the  ac- 
count of  the  wounded  men,  so  many  had  been  killed,  tJiat 
there  was  not  a  number  sufficient  to  carry  on  but  a  small 
part  of  the  provisions.  With  great  reluctance,  the  colonel 
was  obliged  to  destroy  the  greatest  part  of  them  ;  so  that, 
after  every  exertion,  one  principal  object  of  the  expedition 
was  defeated. 

The  troops  thus  disburthened,  advanced  about  two  miles, 
and  pitched  their  camp  at  Bushy  Run.    After  such  fatigues 

*  RkJer'9  Hist.  vol.  1.  p.  60-60. 


I 


'*■:« 


f-,.!' 


Uh 


4G4 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXifl. 


1763. 


Book  H.  on  thrir  march,  and  such  a  spvpfc  chastisement  as  thry  had 
given  the  enemy,  in  the  preceding  actions,  it  was  natiinil 
to  expect  repose.  But  scarcely  had  the  Engli.-.h  >ixe<J  their 
camp,  when  the  enemy  appeared  in  ambush  round  about 
ihem,  and  gave  them  another  fire.  Indeed,  at  this  timr, 
nothing  could  have  been  more  mortifying.  The  enrmy 
however  soon  drew  off,  and,  except  a  few  scattered  shots, 
gave  them  no  more  trouble.  Four  days  after,  the  army 
arrived  at  fort  Pitt. 

Few  enterprises  have  been  managed  with  more  caution, 
skill,  and  gallanLry,  than  this.  Colonel  Bouquet,  his  offi- 
cers and  men,  gained  singular  honor,  by  the  firmness,  pre- 
sence of  mind,  and  dexterity  of  movement,  displayed  on 
this  interesting  occasion. 

In  few  of  the  hard  fought  battles  and  signal  victorirs  of 
Europe,  which  are  celebrated  with  so  much  eclat,  is  there 
such  an  exhibition  of  obstinate,  persevering  fortitude,  and 
of  military  ski)l,  as  appeared  in  this  action.  Indeed,  after 
all  the  severities  ana  dangers  of  a  campaign  in  Europe, 
little  idea  can  be  formed  of  what  is  to  be  endured  in  a  war 
with  savages,  in  America. 

In  Europe,  the  country  is  generally  cultivated  and  in- 
habited, roads  are  made,  hospitals  and  magazines  are  pre- 
pared. If  troops  are  conquered  and  taken,  it  is  only  an 
Difficulties  exchange  of  masters.  They  expect  kind  treatment  from 
of  an  In-  a  civilized  and  generous  enemy.  But  in  a  war  with  sava- 
ges, in  America,  every  thing  is  the  reverse,  every  thing  is 
terrible.  Here,  troops  hold  their  marches  through  groves, 
thickets,  and  defiles,  through  a  vast  and  dreary  wilderness, 
where  there  are  neither  hospitals,  magazines,  nor  refresh- 
ments for  the  well,  nor  conveniences,  nor  relief,  for  the 
sick  and  wounded.  The  face  of  the  country,  the  nature  of 
the  service,  the  appearance  and  manner  of  the  enemy,  are 
terrible.  Their  wild  and  horrible  yells,  their  terrible  vis- 
age, and  manner  of  attack,  are  so  alarming,  that  they  have 
ften  thrown  the  best  troops  into  confusion.  Their  ex- 
w'eme  art,  in  first  discovering,  waylaying,  and  surprising 
their  enemy,  the  suddenness  and  violence  of  their  attacks, 
and  their  merciless  cruelty,  all  conspire  to  make  them  a 
truly  terrible  enemy.  Victories  over  them  are  often  not 
decisive,  while  defeats  involve  the  vanquished  in  total  ruin. 
The  least  misfortune  to  be  expected,  in  general,  is  si  .^ple 
deatho  If,  in  the  rude  campaigns  of  America,  there  be 
less  dignity,  there  is  something  more  adventurous,  more 
interesting  to  the  heart,  and  more  amusing  to  the  imagina- 
tion, than  in  the  more  grand  events  of  a  regular  war.  In 
them,  all  the  powers  of  courage  and  address  are  called 


diaa  war. 


ciiAP.  xxin. 


CONNECTICUT. 


4C5 


torth  into  exertion,  and  all  the  firmness  of  body  and  mind  Book  II* 
is  put  to  the  severest  trial.  ^,^s^^^^ 

An  Inrlian  war  fomis  a  truly  ditficiilt  and  danj;crous  ser-  1764, 
vice.  It  re(|uires  a  fimi  bfxiy  of  the  best  regular  troops, 
with  a  large  proportion  of  the  best  marksmen,  to  compose 
a  light  infantry.  At  the  same  time,  a  r.ommnnder  of  the 
firmest  and  coolest  mind,  full  of  caution,  and  rich  in  expe- 
dients, who,  with  a  glai>ce  of  his  eye,  cai>  catch  every 
advantage  and  opportunity,  is  absolutely  necessary.  To 
appoint  a  self-sufficient,  incautious,  dull  man,  to  command 
in  enterprises  of  this  kind,  is  little  better  tiian  sacrificing 
an  army  to  the  rage  and  cruelty  of  an  insidious  foe. 

By  the  arrival  of  colonel  Bouquet  at  fort  Pitt,  that  post 
was  efiectually  secured  against  any  further  attempts  of  the 
enemy.  By  the  seasonable  succours  sent  to  this  post,  and 
to  Detroit,  the  enemy  received  a  considerable  check  and 
disappointment.  However,  they  were  not  discouraged 
from  making  further  attempts,  in  a  different  quarter.  They 
bent  their  whole  force  against  Niagara.  This  was  not 
less  worthy  of  their  attention  than  the  other  posts.  This 
they  endeavuored  to  distress,  by  every  art  of  which  they 
Were  masters.  They  hoped  to  reduce  it  by  hunger,  if 
other  expedients  should  fail  them.  The  great  distance  of 
these  posts  from  each  other,  and  of  them  all  from  the  set- 
tled country,  was  a  circumstance  favorable  to  their  design. 
For  this  purpose,  they  watched  the  convoys,  by  land  and  Detach- 
water.  On  the  fourteenth  of  September,  they  surrounded  "}!"*  *^"^ 
an  escort,  near  Niagara,  slew  seventy  of  the  soldiers,  and  14th/  ' 
destroyed  the  whole  detachment. 

Afterwards,  as  a  schooner  was  passing  lake  Erie,  with 
provisions,  for  Detroit,  she  was  attacked  by  a  crowd  of  ca- 
noes, on  board  of  which  were  nearly  four  hundred  Indians. 
A  hot  engagement  ensued,  but  the  savage  licet  was  obliged 
to  sheer  off,  with  considerable  loss. 

The  garrisons  soon  became  so  well  supplied  with  troops, 
military  stores,  and  provisions,  that  the  enemy  had  no 
prospect  of  effecting  any  thing  of  consequence  further 
against  them.  But  they  continued  still  to  be  so  numerous 
and  po^Vierful,  and  did  such  damages  on  the  frontiers,  that 
requisitions  were  made  on  the  colonies,  for  troops  to  sup- 
press them.  -      ' 

In  consequence  of  a  letter  received  from  the  earl  of  General 
Halifax,  one  of  his  majesty's  principal  secretaries  of  state,  ^("i^^^jl^ 
signifying  his  majesty's  pleasure  that,  in  consequence  of  the  ford, 
insurrection  of  the  Indians,   Connecticut  should  assist  in  March  4tli. 
the  war  against  them^  and  of  a  letter  from  general  Gage, 
now  commander  in  chief  in  North- America,  urging  the  same. 


ihrn 


Alio 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXIIf. 


A  new 
<  orpi  rais 
»(l  to  an- 
fiiiy  (lie 
ludiuD!>. 


Book  If.  <i  General  Assembly  was  convened  al  Hartford,  on  the  Otit 
v^'^/-^,/  of  March,  1 704.  The  assembly  were  by  no  means  insen- 
1764.  sible  that,  from  tlirir  local  situation,  they  were  cntircl) 
safe  from  the  incursions  of  the  Indians  ;  and  that,  by  theii' 
extraordinary  exertions  in  the  preceding  war,  they  had 
greatly  exhausted  their  resources,  and  made  it  a  matter  oi 
extreme  difficulty  to  afford  assistance  in  a  new  war.  Nev- 
ertheless, as  it  was  his  majesty's  pleasure,  and  urged  by 
•  he  ( ommander  in  chief,  they  complied  with  his  mJiiestyV 
Tc<juisition.  They  wished  to  promote  his  majesty's  ser 
rice,  and  to  manifest  their  obedience.  The  assembly 
liherefore  enacted.  That  provision  should  be  made  for  levy- 
ing, clothing  and  paying  two  huinlred  and  sixty-five  abit 
bodied  men,  officers  included,  with  the  utmost  diapatch^ 
The  men  were  all  to  be  between  twenty-one  and  fifty 
years  of  age.  They  were  lirected  to  march  to  any  place 
in  North-America,  wherc  the  commander  in  chief  should 
order  them.  It  was  enacted  that  the  troops  should  consist 
of  one  battalion,  and  be  comtnandrd  by  a  field  officer  of 
the  rank  of  major  :  and  that  it  should  be  composed  of 
five  companies,  each  company  including  one  captain,  two 
subalterns  and  fifty  men.  The  command  of  the  battalion 
was  given  to  major  Israel  Putnam,  afterwards  general  Put- 
nam. 

To  defray  the  expense  of  this  little  armament,  the  as* 
sembly  ordered  an  emission  of  seven  thousand  pounds,  in 
bills  of  credit,  at  five  per  cent,  and  for  the  purpose  of  re* 
deeming  them,  levied  a  tax  of  one  penny  on  the  pound. 

Reinforced  with  the  new  recruits,  colonels  Bouquet  and 
Bradstreet,  in  such  a  spirited  manner, attacked  and  harassed 
the  enemy,  the  next  spring  and  summer,  that  they  became 
willing  to  bury  the  hatchet,  and  adopt  articles  of  pacifica- 
tion. .     - 

In  September,  a  treaty  was  cothpleted.  The  English 
appear  rather  to  have  dictated  and  imposed  the  terms  than 
to  have  given  them  equal  advantages.  The  articles  in 
substance  were.  That  in  twenty  days  after  the  ratification 
p!'"^!^'  °^o{  the  articles,  they  should  deliver  up  all  the  prisoners  in 
their  hands:  Th?*^  they  should  renounce  all  claim  to  the 
forts  which  the  i^nglish  had  then  in  their  country  :  That 
the  English  should  build  as  mairy  a<?re  as  they  should 
judge  necessary  to  secure  their  trade  ;  and  that  they  should 
<!ede  to  them  Ibrever,  all  the  land  withui  cannon  shot  of  the 
forts.  It  was  also  stipulated,  that  if  any  Indian  should  kill 
an  Englishman,  that  he  should  be  delivered  up  to  be  judg- 
ed by  the  English  laws,  and  that  half  of  the  fury  should 
consist  of  Indians  :  and  that  if  any  of  the  Indian  nalioas 


"Pcaci:  is 
made  in 
Septem- 
ber. 


Chap.  XXIII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


467 


entire!) 
by  thfir 
they  hat) 
rnatier  oi 
p.     Nev 
urged  hy 
najesty"- 
'ty's  scr 
assembly 
for  levy- 
■five  abk 
dispatch, 
and  fifty 
my  place 
ef  should 
d  consist 
jflicer  of 
posed  of 
►tain,  two 
battalion 
leral  Put  • 

t,  the  as- 
)tinds,  in 
)se  of  re- 
ound. 
iquet  and 
harassed 
f  became 
pacifica- 

English 
rms  than 
nicies  in 
tification 
soners  in 
rm  to  the 
y:  That 
y  should 
ly  should 
lot  of  the 
lould  kill 
bejudg- 
•y  should 
1  nalions 


should  renew  the  war,  that  the  rest  shouhl  join  with  the  Boor  If. 
English  to  bring  them  to  rcasfin.     Ten  of  the  Indians  who  v^^v^/ 
assisted  as  deputies  in  the  convention  for  treating  of  peace,    j  7fj4. 
were  to  abide  as  hostages,  until  llic  Indian  nations  Hhould 
he  certified  of  the  peace,  and  return  the  captives  agreeably 
to  the  present  treaty.* 

There  is  no  mention  of  any  cession  on  the  part  of  the  oiiserva. 
English,  nor  any  valuable  consideration  for  those  little  «*'>"•*• 
Townships  of  land  which  they  were  obliged  to  grant  around 
rvery  fort  which  the  English  then  possessed,  and  around  all 
others  which  they  should  judge  proper  to  build.  Neither 
does  there  appear  to  be  the  least  stipulation  on  the  part  of 
the  English  to  deliver  up  the  murderers  of  the  Indians  a- 
mong  them  to  public  justice,  nor  any  such  care  to  secure 
the  liberty,  property  and  lives  of  the  natives,  as  to  impose 
whatever  might  serve  their  own  interest  and  safety.  In- 
deed, this  is  too  observable  in  almost  all  their  treaties  with 
the  Indians,  that  they  stipulate  and  bind  themselves  to  the 
English  in  every  thing  which  can  secure  thei?  interests, 
while  the  English  on  their  part  stipulate  little  or  nothing 
for  the  security  or  benefit  of  the  Indians.  They  have  too 
often  imposed  on  them  unequal  terms,  and  even  the  ai«- 
tides  of  peace  given  them,  have  been  grounds  of  uneasi- 
ness, and  laid  the  foundation  ofnewwars. 

The  Indians  are  quick  sighted  to  their  own  honor  and 
interests,  they  are  susceptible  of  just  and  humane  treat- 
ment, and  could  universal  justice  and  kindness  become 
part  of  the  national  character,  as  it  respects  them,  and  n 
proper  attention  be  given  to  their  particular  ideas  of  honor 
and  decorum,  we  might  generally,  no  doubt,  enjoy  peace 
with  them. 

This  Indian  war,  which  it  see-ns  originated  in  the  inat- 
tention, haughtiness  and  injustice  of  the  English,  made  a 
considerable  addition  to  the  loss  and  expense  which  the 
colonies  had  sustained  in  the  long  war  by  which  it  was  pre- 
<  eded.  They  were  called  upon,  by  his  majesty  and  by 
the  f-ommander  in  chief,  again  to  furnish  considerable  quo- 
tas men.  Connecticut,  though  remote  from  danger,  was 
oblit^ed  to  furnish  men,  and  be  at  considerable  expense,  for 
die  protection  and  safety  of  the  southern  colonies.  For 
about  nine  years,  she  had  employed  more  or  less  of  her 
men  constantly  in  the  field,  and,  though  less  exposed,  and 
less  interested  in  the  war  than  any  of  the  other  colonies, 
had  done  wore  in  proportion  to  hei"  numbers  than  any  of 
them.  I 

Though  all  the  colonies  were  more  or  less  injured  by 
*  Rider's  Hist.  vol.  1.  p.  70. 


i: 


mw-fit 


:v'l| 


m 

p.) 


468 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXIV. 


Book  II.  this  unhappy  insurrection  of  the  Fmlian"?,  yrt  the  Routhorn 
sustained  by  far  the  greatest  burthens  an«i  losses.  Thnii 
frontiers  were  more  immediately  exposed  to  the  nuirdcrs 
and  depredations  of  the  enemy  ;  br^e  and  fruitful  tnirisot 
country  were  abandoned,  and  the  inhabitants  driven  in  up- 
on its  more  safe  and  populous  parts. 

Distressing  as  the  war  was  to  these  colonies,  it  w;nj 
nevertheless  attended  with  some  favorable  tircumstanres. 
The  precipitancy  of  several  of  the  warriors  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war,  before  the  enemy  were  generally  prepar- 
ed, in  some  measure  defeated  the  more  methodical  and 
general  muijchief  which  had  been  designed,  by  giving  the 
country  too  early  an  alarm.  This  gave  on  opportunity  to 
a  greater  proportion  of  the  frontier  inhabitants  to  make 
their  escape,  and  to  save  more  of  their  valuable  effects. 
The  country  had  more  time,  also,  to  rally  and  to  prepare 
for  the  more  general  and  forcible  attack.  Other  favora- 
ble circumstances  were,  that  the  Chorokees,  during  the 
whole  time,  kept  the  peace  :  and  though  the  Senecas  en- 
gaged in  the  war,  yet,  by  the  influence  of  sir  William  John- 
son, the  most  of  the  oth^r  Indians  were  restrained  from  hos 
tilities. 


....  CHAPTER  XXIV.         •  * 

Sustjuehannah  purchase.  Resolve  of  the  assembly  in  fa- 
vour of  the  company.  The  seAtlement  of  the  land  com- 
mences. Colonel  Dyer  in  sent  to  the  court  of  Oreat-Bri- 
tain,  as  agent  for  the  company.  The  colony  assert  their 
claim  to  the  lands  comprised  in  the  purchase,     -      i 

1754.  A  RESPECTABLE  number  of  gentlemen  in  this  colo- 
J\,  ny,  in  the  year  1754,  commonly  known  by  the  name 
of  the  Susquehannah  company,  finding  a  large  tract  of  land, 
lying  west  of  the  province  of  New- York,  on  the  river  Sus- 
quehannah, owned  by  the  six  nations,  for  which  they  re- 
presented that  they  had  no  use,  and  wished  to  sell,  at  a 
lull  counsel  of  said  six  nations  of  Indians,  in  Albany,  at  the 
congress  there,  made  a  purchase  of  a  large  tract  of  coun- 
try, lying  on  the  waters  of  said  river,  about  seventy  miles 
north  ancl  south,  and,  from  about  ten  miles  east  of  it,  ex- 
tending westward  two  degrees  of  longitude.'  This  tract  of 
country  had  been  conveyed  away  by  kiug  James  I,  in  the 


Chap.  XXIV. 


CONNFXTIflJT. 


4C9 


most  umpir  niannfr  possiblr.  l»y  litlirs  pnlont.  \ir\i\er  thr  Took  II. 
jrrcal  seal  of  Kii^liintJ,  Ixuiring  diitc  Novtniher  3d,  1620,  to  ^^^^v-n^-' 
the  duke  of  Lenox,  the  marquis  of  liuckingham.  the  earls    I7ii. 
of  Arundel  and  Warwick,  with  divers  other  persons,  by  ihr 
name  of  the  council  established  at  Plymouth,  in  the  county 
of  Devon,  for  the  planting;,  rulint;,  ordering,  arjd  Koxeminj; 
of  New-England,   in  America.     This  patent  made  a  con- 
veyance to  them,  and  their  successors  and  assigns,  *'of  all 
that  part  of  America,  lying  and  being  in  breadth  from  forty 
(Icgrees  of  north  latitude,  from  the  equinoctial  line,  to  the 
forty-eighth  degree,  of  said  northerly  latitude,  inclusively, 
and  in  length,  of  and  within  all  the   breadth  aforesaid, 
throughout  the  main  land,  from  sea  to  sea.*'     This  patent 
includes  the  whole  of  New-York,  and  the  principal  part,  if 
not  the  whole  of  Pennsylvania. 

In  1631,  March  19th,  Robert,  earl  of  Warwick,  president  The  patent 
of  the  council  of  Plymouth,  under  his  hand  and  seal,  did  "|^  ^.""' 
grant  and  confirm  unto  the  right  honourable  viscount  Say  "eai. 
and  Seal,  lord  Brook,  &c.  to  the  number  of  eleven,  "  All 
that  part  of  New-England,  in  America,  which  lies  and  ex- 
tends itself  from  a  river,  there  called  Narraganset  river, 
the  space  of  forty  leagues,  upoq  a  straight  line,  near  the 
sea  shore,  towards  the  south-west,  west  and  by  south,  as 
the  coast  lieth,  towards  Virginia,  accounting  three  English 
miles  to  a  league,  and  all  and  singular  the  lands  and  here- 
ditaments whatsoever,  lying  and  being  the  lands  aforesaid, 
north  and  south  in  latitude  and  breadth,  and  in  length  and 
longitude  of  and  within  all  the  breadth  aforesaid,  through- 
out all  the  main  lands  there,  from  the  western  ocean  to  the 
south  seas ;  and  all  lands  and  grounds,  soil,  wood  and 
woods,  ground,  havens,  ports,  creeks  and  rivers,  waters, 
fishings,  and  hereditaments  whatsoever,  lying  within  the 
said  space,  and  every  part  and  parcel  thereof;  and  also, 
uil  islands  lying  in  America  aforesaid,  ih  the  said  seas,  or 
either  of  them,  on  the  western  or  eastern  coasts,  'or  parts 
of  the  said  tracts  of  land,  by  these  presents  to  be  given  or 
granted."* 

This  territory  had  been  granted  to  the  earl  of  Warwick 
the  preceding  year,  and  it  was  confirmed  to  him,  by  his  1630. 
majesty,  under  the  great  seal  of  England,  the  same  year. 

This  territory  was  again  confirmed  to  the  governor  and 
company  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  by  royal  charter, 
under  the  brotd  seal  of  England,  in  1662.  After  these 
complete  and  repeated  conveyances  of  this  territory,  and 
confirmations  of  them,  by  several  kings  of  Englartd,  it  was 

*  Sec  these  patent*  ia  the  Appcudix  of  the  iirst  volume  of  this  historj, 

Nos.  1  and  5^. 


'ij 


\i\  : 


II'! 


470 


HISTORY  OK 


Chai>.  XXIV. 


llooK  II.  jiulj^rd.  by  tli  purchasers  (»f  ilic  lands  on  the  S*vquchan^ 
s^-v/-^^  nail,  ihal  ihry  wcrr  iindnuhlcMlly  rcjvcml.  and  cr  .^ryeii  lo 
I7i5.  'he  colony  of  f 'onnoclicuf,  nncl  that  the  right  oi  prt'cinp- 
Ail  oi>  •  r  lion  was  vested  in  the  colony.  \\\  these  eon  .ryanres  and 
jsrnnf'  •  ronfirmations  of  them,  the  kinc;Rol  Kndund  dtvesf*  d  thein- 
tory/tnor  "^'^'"^  of  all  ri^hl  oi*  title  to  .  '  'anus,  aitd  invested  thf 
toKnn'».  patentees  with  all  the  title  vmii  the  royal  granis  ( ould 
io8.«il>ly  convey.  The  original  gnmt  to  the  I'lymonlluofn- 


)any,  was  abcji  eighty  years  lufore  the  ^runf  to  Williii 


tn 


*erin 


the  >£rant  to  the  earl  of  Warwick,  and  from  him  fo 
ord  S'jy  and  Seal,   lord  Hro<ik,  &c.  lilty  years;  hikI  iIk 
confirmation  of  it  by  royal  charter  lo  Connecticut,  nlti»  ittjx 
years  prior  to  the  conveyante  to  Mr.  Penn. 
Feiition  to      Thc  purchasers,  therefore,  considering  the  lands  as  un- 
I','^  "*"■'"■  doubtcdly  belonging  to  Connecticut,  at  the  i^es.sion  in  May, 
1750.  "^'  1753,  preferred  a  petition  to  thc  honourable  General  As- 
sembly, ^•"  ying  for  the  consent  of  the  assembly,  that  they 
might  be   ormed  into  a  distinct  commonweallii,  if  it  should 
be  his  majesty's  pleasure  to  grant  it,  wi>h  oUch  privileges 
and  immunities  as  should  be  agreeable  to  his  royal  wisdom 
and  pleasure. 

The  assembly  granted  their  petition,  and  recommended 
them  to  the  royal  favour,  in  the  following  manner ; 
Resolve  of  "  Upon  the  petition  of  Phinehas  Lyman,  Roger  Wolcotf, 
b'r  "n^t'he  J""'''*  Samuel  Gray,  and  Abraham  Davenport,  Esq'rs.  and 
/t'Jtiin.  others,  their  associates,  to  the  number  of  about  .eight  hun- 
dred and  fifty,  known  by  the  name  of  the  Susquehannah 
company,  by  their  agents,  George  Wyllys,  Daniel  Edwards, 
Samuel  Talcott,  Thomas  Seymour,  and  Eliphalet  Dver, 
representing  that  the  colony,  according  to  the  express  lim- 
its of  its  royal  charter,  Is  in  extent  from  the  Narraganset 
bay  on  the  east,  to  the  south  sea  on  the  west,  and  from  the 
sea  shore  on  the  south,  to  the  line  of  the  Massachusetts 
province  on  the  north:  That  within,  and  towards  the  west- 
ern part  of  its  liipits,  are,  and,  time  immemorial,  have 
been,  large  numbers  of  Indian  nations,  commonly  called 
the  six  nations,  dwelling,  improving,  and  claiming  a  large 
extent  thereof:  That  a  certain  large  parcel  of  such  their 
claim,  situate  and  lying  on  the  waters  of  the  Susquehan- 
nah,  about  seventy  miles  north  and  south,  and  from  abou4 
ten  miles  east  of  said  river,  extending  westward  two  de- 
crees of  longitude,  they,  thc  said  Indian  nations,  not  find- 
ing necessary  for  their  own  us^  have,  for  very  valuable 
considerations,  been  induced  to  relinquish,  and  to  sell  to 
the  petitioners  ;  and  that  some  well  ordered  plantation,  in 
so  near  a  neighbourhood  to  the  said  rations,  might,  most 
likely,  be  a  means  to  cement  and  fix  them  in  friendshii^ 


Chap.  J(XIV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


i:i 


•'  thpy  arc  of  opinion, 
ing  «nd  carrying  on 
'  uitation,   on  the 
I  to  fix  niid  se- 
lls majcslv,  and 
at.  ordingly,   hcrchy 


Mfitli  his  majesty'"*  suhjcrfs ;  and   that  ihoy,  ihr  <aid   In- Book  If. 
iliaiis,  ire  dc.sirr>ijs  <»uih  settlt'nnni  might  l)C  promotftl  and  >^^-,^>^ 
liirric'd  «)n,a»  iM-ingcondurivr  to  thrir  interest  uiidsalrty  ;     1*35. 
and  ihrren|M)n  praying  lh«'  mrvsent  of  this  assembly,  that 
iiis  majesty,  it  it  shall   In    his  royal  |>^easure,  grant  «aid 
lands  lo  (he  petitioners,  :uid   (heir  associates,   thereon  to 
trert  and  hctth*  a  i  olony,  lor  dio  tixorv  ellectiia!  securing 
»aid  Indians  in  his  nuijcsiy's  interest,  and  the  rlefenee  of  his 
majesty's  dominions  in  North-America,  with  liberty  of  fur- 
ther pnrclia.ses  of  said  Indians,  to  said  purpose,  as  occasion 
may  be : 

"  llesolvcd  by  this  assembly,     ' 
that  the  peaceably  and  orderly 
some  new  well  regulated  c  " 
lands  above  mentioned,  would 

,         ure  said  Indian  nations  in  alle^ 

i.    iriendship  with  his  subjects;  ai.u 

manifest  their  ready  aCquiescience  therein,  if  it  should  be 
his  majesty's  royal  pleasure  to  grant  said  lands  to  said  pe- 
titioners, and  thereon  erect  and  settle  a  new  colony,  in 
Buch  form  and  under  such  regulations,  as  might  be  con- 
sistent with  his  royal  wisdom ;  and,  also,  beg  leave  humbly 
to  recommend  the  petitioners  to  his  royal  favour  in  the 
l)remises." 

When  the  Susnuchannah  company  made  the  purchase 
of  the  lands  at  W  yoming,  on  the  Susquehannah,  they  were 
uninhabited,  either  by  English  or  Iriuian  settlers,  and  the 
Indian  war,  for  several  years,  prevented  their  settlement.  A 
letter  from  the  earl  of  Egremont,  one  of  his  majesty's  prin- 
cipal secretaries  of  state,  founded  on  representations  made 
by  the  governor  of  Pennsylvania,  and  transmitted  by  gene- 
ral Amherst,  commander  in  chief  of  his  majesty's  forces  in 
North-America,  suggesting  that  the  settlement  was  disa- 
greeable to  the  Indians,  and  might  occasion  an  Indian  war.  Settle- 
and  the  devastation  of  the  frontiers,  prevented  its  settle-  ^^"o,";* 
ment  in  1762.     But  the  next  year,  people  went  from  Con- comu'cn- 
necticut,  and  commenced  a  settlement.  cud,  1763, 

The  same  year,!tEe  company  employed  Eliphalet  Dyer, 
Esq.  to  repair  to  tlie  court  of  Great-Britain,  and  transact 
the  afiairs  of  the  company  at  the  British  court.  He  pre- 
sented a  petition  to  his  majesty,  in  behalf  of  the  company, 
shewing  tneir  right  to  the  lands  which  they  had  purchased, 
"  praying  his  majesty  to  order  and  allow  them  to  become 
colonists  on  the  same,  and  grant  them  such  privileges,  pow- 
ers, &nd  authorities,  as,  in  his  great  wisdom  and  goodness, 
he  should  tlynk  fit."  This  petition  was  pending  before 
his  majesty,  when  the  troubles  between  Great-Britain  and 


'fy? 


'''I- 


,.^.. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


// 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


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■^  1^   mil  2.2 


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1.4  mil  1.6 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


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^ 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)873-4503 


412 


HISTORY  6P 


Cukf.  XXIV. 


tTTO. 
CnMS  rRi'rr- 
rwl  to  law- 
yers in 
EugLuid. 


Qu«^!>(ions 
ami  an- 
*w«;rs  rcla- 
tivt  tr>  the 
Innd  ill 
eonlruver- 


llic  colonies  ftfegan,  and  the  revahitionary  war  commenced, 
and  ihe  controversy  between  Connccficnl  and  Pennsylva- 
nia, relative  to  the  title,  was  never  determined  by  tho 
crown. 

As  Pennsylvania  claimed  the  same  lands,  and  made  a 
fMiwertuI  opposition  to  the  Connecticut  settlers  and  claim, 
the  colony  wished  to  act  cautiously  in  the  affair.  There- 
fore, in  the  session  in  May,  1 770,  the  assembly  determined 
to  transmit  a  state  of  the  case  to  counsel  learned  in  the 
law,  in  England.  The  gentlemen  to  whom  the  case  was 
referred,  were,  Messrs.  Thurlow,  Wedderburn,  Jackson, 
and  Dunning,  gentlemen  as  learned  and  famous  in  the  hnv 
department  as  any,  at  that  day,  in  England.  With  the 
statement  of  the  case,  they  proposed  fhc  three  followin;^ 
questions. 

Question  I.  "  Do  the  words,  actually  possessed  and  oc- 
cupied, extend  to  lands  on  the  west  side  of  the  Dutch  set- 
tlements, which  were,  at  the  time  of  the  grant  of  James  the 
first,  in  a  perfect  wild  state,  but  divided  from  the  Eng- 
lish settlements  by  the  actual  possession  of  the  Dutch ' 
And  did  the  grant  to  the  council  of  Plymouth  mean  to  ex- 
cept in  favor  of  foreigners,  not  only  what  they  had  actually 
planted,  but  all  to  the  westward  of  such  plantations  P^ 

Answer.  "  Wc  are  of  opinion  that  the  words  actually 
possessed  and  enjoyed,  do  not  extend  to  lands  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Dutch  settlements,  which  were,  at  the  tim:;  ol 
the  grant  of  James  the  first,  in  a  wilderness  slate,  thdugh 
divided  from  the  English  settlements  by  the  actual  pos* 
session  of  the  Dutch,  and  that  the  grant  to  the  council  of 
Plymouth  did  not  mean  to  except  in  favor  of  any  one,  any 
thing  to  the  westward  of  such  plantations." 

Quest.  II.  "  Have  not  the  said  governor  and  company 
of  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  the  right  of  preemption  and 
the  tide  nndcr  the  crown  to  the  lands  aforesaid,  within  the 
limits  and  bounds  of  their  patent  aforesaid,  lying  west- 
wai*d  of  the  province  of  New- York,  and  not  included  in 
the  charter  of  king  Charles  the  second  to  the  duke  of 
York,  notwithstandmg  the  several  settlements  of  bounda- 
ries between  the  colony  on  the  east,  and  the  province  on 
the  west,  made  as  well  by  agreement  between  the  parties, 
as  under  the  royal  authority,  and  notwithstanding  the  sub- 
secfuent  charter  to  Sir  William  Penn  ?'* 

Answer.  "  The  agreement  between  the  colony  of  Con- 
necticut and  the  province  of  New- York,  can  extend  no  fur- 
ther than  to  settle  the  boundaries  between  the  respective 
parties,  and  has  no  effect  upon  other  claims,  that  either  of 
them  had  in  other  parts ;  and  a»  the  charter  of  Ccmafect'.cut 


ChAP.  XXIVi 


CONNECTICUT. 


'473 


was  granted  but  eighteen  yeafs  before  that^to  Sir  William  Book  If. 
Penn,  there  is  no  ground  to  contend  that  the  crown  could,  v;^"v^«^/ 
at  that  period,  maxe  an  cfTcctual  grant  to  him  of  that  coun-    1 773. 
try,  which  had  been  so  recently  granted  to  others.     But  if 
the  country  had  been  actually  settled  under  the  latter  giant, 
it  would  now  be  a  matter  of  considerable  doubt,  whether 
the  right  of  the  occupiers,  or  the  title  under  which  they 
hold,  could  be  impeached  by  a  prior  grant,  without  actual 
settlement." 

Quest.  III.  "  What  course  of  proceedings  will  be  legal 
and  expedient  for  the  governor  and  company  of  Connecti- 
cut to  pursue,  on  the  Whole  state  and  circumstances  in  this 
case,  in  order  to  terminate  all  disputes  and  differences  rela- 
tive to  said  land  ?" 

Answer.  "  In  case  the  governor  and  company  shall,  in 
point  of  prudence,  think  it  expedient  to  make  their  claim 
and  support  it,  it  will  be  proper,  either  amicably  and  in 
concurrence  with  the  proprietaries  of  Pennsylvania,  or,  in 
case  of  the  refusal  of  those  proprietaries,  without  them,  to 
apply  to  the  king  in  council,  praying  his  majesty  to  ap- 
point commissioners  in  America,  to  decide  the  question, 
with  the  usual  power  of  appeal.   . 

.^^..       "E.  Thurlow,  Rd.  Jackson, 

*  "  Alr.  Wedderburn,        J.  Dunning." 

The  legislature  having  received  this  decision,  so  fully 
in  favour  of  the  colony^s  ^title,  at  the  session  in  October, 
1773,  "  Resolved,  That  this  assembly,  at  this  time,  will 
assert  their  claim,  and,  in  some  proper  way,  support  such 
claim,  to  those  lands  contained  withm  the  limits  and  boun- 
daries of  the  charter  of  this  colony,  which  are  westward  of 
the  province  of  New- York." 

At  the  same  time,  the  legislature  appointed  and  commis- 
sioned colonel  Dyer,  doctor  Johnson,  and  Mr.  J.  Strong, 
to  treat  with  governor  Penn,  and  the  agent  or  agents  of 
the  proprietaries  of  Pennsylvania,  respecting  an  amicable 
agreement  between  the  colony  and  the  said  proprietaries, 
concerning  the  boundaries  of  this  colony  and  the  province 
of  Pennsylvania :  but  if  said  proprietors  preferred  joining 
in  an  application  to  his  majesty  for  commissioners  to  set- 
tle saia  line,  in  that  case  the  commissioners  were  authori- 
sed to  join,  on  behalf  of  this  colony,  in  such  application : 
and  they  wer6  further  directed  to  consult  and  agree  with 
governor  Penn,  upon  such  measures  as  would  tend  to  pre- 
serve peace  and  good  order  among  the  inhabitants  of  said 
lands,  and  prevent  mutual  violence  and  contention,  during 
thef  time  the  boundaries  between  this  colony  and  the  pro- 
prietaries of  that  province  remain  undetermined. 

K  3 


m 


474 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXIV 


Book  II. 

n73. 


moreland 

iiicorpo- 

Tatcti. 


rclition 
u«d  re- 
mon- 
wtrance 
atrainst  the 
proceed- 
iii8;8  oftlie 
legislature. 


In  Dcrniihor  following,  the  commissioners  made  a  jour- 
ney lo  Philudclphin,  and  waited  on  governor  Penn.  Thry 
communicated  to  him  the  acts  of  the  General  Assembly, 
relative  to  the  bnds  west  of  the  province  of  Ncw-YorI(. 
and,  in  a  very  able  am}  polite  manner,  treated  with  him  on 
the  several  points  comprised  in  their  commission.  But 
the  governor  would  not  enter  }inlo  any  negociation  with 
them,  for  the  purpose  of  settling  the  limits  and  boundaries 
between  the  colony  of  Connecticut  and  the  proprietaricb 
of  I'ennsylvania,  and  the  whole  controversy  bct^'^en  thera 
and  Connecticut;  nor  would  he  join  with  the  colony  in  an 
application  to  his  majesty  in  council,  to  appoint  commis- 
sioners to  decide  the  controversy.  At  the  same  time,  he 
ivas  c(jually  opposed  to  any  agreement  relative  to  any  such 
measures  as  might  preserve  peace  and  good  order  amoni; 
the  mlmbitants  settled  on  the  contested  lands,  while  the 
dispute  was  depending.* 

The  commissioners  reported  to  the  assembly  at  Hart- 
ford, in  January.  Upon  the  report,  finding  that  Mr.  Penn 
would  come  to  no  composition  with  the  colony,  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  determined  to  extend  their  jurisdiction  to  the 
settlers  on  the  contested  lands,  and  incorporated  them  into 
a  town,  by  the  name  of  Westmoreland,  with  the  same 
privileges  as  other  to'vns  in  the  colony  enjoyed. 

As  the  Susquehannah  company  had  its  opposers,  and  as 
many  imagined  that  the  claim  of  the  colony  was  unfound- 
ed, the  measures  which  the  assembly  had  adopted,  produ- 
ced a  considerable  tumult  and  faction  in  the  colony.  A 
large  number  of  malcontents  convened  at  Middletown,  and 
drew  up  the  following  petition  and  remonstrance. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  committees-  of  twenty-three  lo^^'^^ 
in  this  colony,  at  Middletown,  on  the  30th  of  March,  1 
appointed  by  their  respective  towns^  to  confer  togethe 
the  present  alarming  situation  of  this  colony,  respecting 
the  public  measures  lately  pursued  by  the  honourable  Gen- 
eral Assembly^  respecting  Susquehannah  n.!>tteps,  and  U*^ 
prepare  a  petition  and  remonstrance,  to  be  presented  to- 
the  next  assembly,  which  were  fully  and  calmly  debated 
and  considered : — Whereupon  it  was  voted.  That  the  an- 
nexed petition  and  remonstrance  be  printed  and  dispersed 
through  all  the  towns  in  this  colony,  that  the  general  sense 
of  the  public  may  be  had  thereupon ;— and  the  same  is  re- 
commended to  their  approbation  and  adoption.  The 
amount  of  the  lists  of  the  towns  now  met,  by  their  commit- 
tees, exceeds  two  fifths  of  the  grand  list  of  this  colony* 

"  Adam  Babcock,  Clerk.'* 
*  See  the  report  of  the  commiuuHKn,  January,  1714% 


UiiAP.  XXIV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


47i 


"  To  the  honourable  General  Assembly  of  the  governor  Book  II. 
and  company  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  to  be  nolden  at  ^.^"sr^^ 
Hartford,  on  the  second  Thursday  of  May  next.  1771. 

"  We,  the  inhabitants  of  ,  in  town  meeting  asfiem* 

bled,  with  hearts  full  of  submission  and  duty,  and  tenderly 
affected  for  the  honour,  interest,  and  peace  of  this  colony, 
and  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  ourselves,  and  our  pos* 
terity,  beg  leave  humbly  to  petition  and  remonstrate  against 
certain  acts  and  doings  of  the  General  Assembly  of  this 
colony,  and  measures  taken  in  favour  of  the  Susnuehannah 
company,  (so  called,)  whereby  the  iurisdiction  ot  this  colo- 
ny is  attempted  to  be  extended  to  lands  west  of  the  pro- 
vince of  New- York ; — measures  which  your  remonstrants 
conceive  to  be  of  a  very  dangerous  tendency,  and  prcg' 
nant  with  the  greatest  mischief  to  them  and  their  posterity, 
and  highly  derogatory  to  the  honour  and  interest,  and  de- 
structive to  the  peace  of  the  colony,  and  a  great  grievance. 

"  Your  petitioners,  as  British  subjects,  conceive  they 
have  an  U:' doubted  right  to  lay  their  grievances  before 
your  honours,  by  their  humble  petition ; — a  right  vested 
in  their  ancestors,  from  the  earliest  periods ;  &n  essential 
part  of  their  privihgcs;  vindicated,  asserted,  and  confirm- 
ed, on  the  most  trying  and  glorious  occasions,  and  at  the 
expense  of  blood  and  treasure,  transmitted  to  them ;  the 
exercise  of  which,  at  this  time  and  in  this  manner,  as  they 
are  sure  it  ought  not,  so  they  humbly  hope  it  will  not,  give 
Any  offence  or  umbrage  to  your  honours,  or  their  feHow 
subjects. 

"  Your  honors'  remonstrants  beg  leave,  with  the  free- 
dom of  Englishmen,  and  the  duty  of  subjects,  to  lay  their 
grievances  before  your  honors,  the  principal  of  which, 
and  from  which,  as  its  source,  all  other  grievances  are  de-  ■■*' 
rived,  is,  that  the  proprietors  of  the  Susquehannah  compa- 
ny, who  claim  the  lands  over  which  jurisdiction  is  extend- 
ed, who  were  members  of  the  last  General  Assembly,  and 
deeply  interested  in  the  questions  discussed  and  determin- 
ed, were  suffered  to,  and  did  sit  and  act  in  said  assembly, 
in  those  very  matters  in  which  they  were  so  deeply  inter- 
ested, and  for  which  their  partners,  settled  on  said  lands,  .  , ;: 
under  their  votes  and  for  their  benefit,  were  suitors  to  said 
assembly.  Your  remonstrants  conceive  themselves  war-  -"^ 
ranted  to  assert  that  said  members  were  interested,  from 
all  the  acts  and  transactions  of  said  company,  from  the  pe< 
culiar  eneagedness  of  said  members  in  promoting  the  in- 
terests of  said  company,  and  from  their  frequent  declara- 
tions, that  they  have  expended  immense  sums  of  money  in 
purchasing  the  native  right,  prosecuting  measures,  in  £ng' 


'U 


m 


476 


mSTOUV  OF 


Chap.  XXIV. 


Book  W.  land  and  Amrrica,  to  complete  'lipir  title  :  and,  from  their 
v^-v-^  having  prosecuted,   at  their  own  cxp'-nsr,  a  momorini  (o 
1774.    the  assembly  in  May  last,  praying  for  the  exercise  of  ju- 
risdiction over  said  lands  by  this  colony ;  and  which  hinds 
they  must  lose,  unless  the  General  Assembly  would  be  pre- 
vailed upon  to  take  the  steps  which  the  last  assembly  hath 
taken.    But  wc  will  not  take  up  your  honors'  time,  to  prove 
their  interest  a'nd  partiality  in  the  present  case,  since  it  is 
*  so  apparent  and  notorious,  that  not  a  freeman  in  the  colo- 

ny can  be  ignorant  of  it.     And  as  their  being  permitted  lo 
debate  and  give  their  voice  in  determining  the  important 
questions  that  came  under  the  consideration  of  the  last  as- 
sembly, in  which  their  interest  was  concerned,  is  contra- 
ry to  all  ancient  precedent  and  usage,  as  your  remon- 
strants are  informed ;  so  it  appears  to  your  rcmonslranis 
unreasonable,  unconstitutional,  and  of  very  dangerous  ten- 
dency, when  partial  and  interested  men  not  only  vote  to 
serve  their  own  ends,  but  are  likewise  admitted  to  nari-atu 
facts,  to  argue,  to  persuade;  in  short,  to  be  witnesses, 
counsel  and  judges  for  themselves.     That  full  confidence 
may  be  reposed  in  the  supreme  legislature  is  of  the  highest 
importance ;  hence  the  wise  ca^re  of  our  ancestors,  that  an 
equal   representation  should   take   place,   that   elections 
should  be  free  ;  that  all  suspicion  of  partiality,  prejudice, 
and  sinister  or  interested  views,  in  the  members  of  that  au- 
gust body  should  be  prevented.     And  it  is  with  deep  con- 
cern and  grief,  that  tney  are  obliged  to  inform  your  honors 
that  the  measures  they  complain  of,  not  only  tend  to  weak- 
en and  destroy  that  confidence,  in  their  opinion,  but  have 
in  fact,  in  regard  to  the  last  assembly,  had  that  unhappy 
effect,  of  which  the  feelings  of  your  remonstrants  are  to 
them  the  highest  evidence.     They  can  confide,  they  ever 
have  confided,  and  will  still  confide  in  the  unbiassed  and 
impartial  determinations  of  their  rulers ;  but  they  cannot 
consider  the  determinations  of  the  last  assembly,  in  the 
measures  complained  of,  many  of  which  would  not  have 
passed  had  not  said  proprietors  voted  for  the  same,  as  un- 
biassed and  impartial. 

"  Your  renaonstrants  beg  leave  to  say  further,  that  it  is 
not  men,  but  measures,  they  regai-d.  They  have  no  per- 
.sonal  dislike  to  the  gentlemen  who  are  members  of  that 
i!ompany  ;  they  would  think  themselves  warranted  to  com- 
plain, in  any  case,  where  men,  the  best  of  men,  with  the 
.same  interest  and  prejudices,  were  admitted  to  debate  and 
decide. 

"  Your  remonstrants  would  justly  be  tempted  to  distrust 
iheir  o]vn  judgments,  and  quiet  thgir  fears,  had  a  disinter^: 


<   HAP.  XXIV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


477 


; 


ostcd  representative  of  the  colony  takon  any  measures  of  Book  II. 
which  they  could  not  discern  the  propriety,  and  against  s.^-v-^^ 
which  they  might  have  reasons  of  weight,  with  them,  pn*-  177-1. 
suming  their  rulers,  as  they  were  appointed  to  watch  f(»r 
their  good,  bad  both  the  means  ami  the  will  to  detorniiiit.* 
wisely,  and  for  their  best  interest.  But,  here  they  beg 
leave  to  shew  to  your  h>>nors,  that  they  conceive  the  ex- 
tension of  jurisdiction  to  those  lands  by  the  last  assembly,  'v 
was  of  dangerous,  and,  in  their  apprehension,  may  be  of 
fatal  tendency.  The  title  of  the  colony  to  those  lands  is 
contested ;  should  the  same,  on  trial,  be  found  defective, 
we  conceive  the  colony  might  be  justly  charged  with  usur- 
ping an  unwarrantable  jurisdiction,  misusing  and  abusing 
their  chartered  powers  and  privileges,  and  thereby  a  pre- 
tence be  furnished  for  depriving  us  of  our  dearest  rights 
and  privileges,  and  at  this  time  especially  impolitic,  wlien 
debates  run  high  between  the  parent  state  and  her  colo- 
nies, and  we  may  presume  every  opportunity  will  be  watch- 
ed and  greedily  seized,  to  extend  the  power  and  influence 
of  the  crown  in  America.  Again,  our  humanity  is  shock- 
ed when  we  consider  what  bloody  tragedies  may  ensue 
from  the  clashing  of  opposite  jurisdictions,  actually  exer- 
cised, or  attempted  to  be  exercised  within  the  same  lim- 
its. We  apprenend  great  numbers  of  subjects  in  this  colo- 
ny, taught  as  they  are,  from  their  youth,  to  place  the  high- 
est confidence  in  the  legislature,  will  be,  by  the  acts  of 
the  last  assembly,  tempted  to  transport  themselves  and 
their  eflfects,  and  settle  on  said  lands,  and  in  case  the  ti- 
tle of  the  colony  should  filially  fail,  they  would  be  reduced 
to  abject  wretchedness,  dependance  and  poverty  there,  or 
fall  back  on  this  colony,  by  thousands,  in  extreme  penu- 
ry, to  waste  the  residue  of  their  lives,  a  burthen  to  them- 
selves, and  an  expense  and  dead  weight  upon  the  commu- 
nity ;  by  which  means,  the  support  of  the  poor,  already  a 
heavy  burthen,  will  become  intolerable. 

"  Your  remonstrants  are  convinced  by  arguments,  offer- 
ed by  the  committee  appointed  to  treat  with  his  honor 
governor  Penn,  contained  in  their  reports  to  the  assembly, 
that  the  possession  of  said  lands  is  so  recent,  that  it  cannot 
aid,  or  affect  our  title,  or  be  of  any  use  on  the  trial  of  the 
same,  and  therefore  must  be  calculated  wholly  and  solely 
for  the  benefit  of  ttic  8u8quehannah  company,  and  procur- 
ed by  the  great  influence  and  address  of  their  proprietors, 
who  sat  in  the  last  assembly :  and  although  we  have  rea- 
son to  think  the  title  of  the  colony  to  those  lands  slender 
and  precarious,  yet  that  beipg  a  matter  of  which  we  are 
not  competent  judges,  nor  perhaps  furnished  with  facts  anc| 


P. 


"SI 


47$ 


HISTORY  OF 


CnAr.  XXIV. 


1774. 


Book  11.  documents,  by  which  a  judgment  might  be  made,  we  are 
willingand  desirous  that  the  right  of  the  colony  to  them,  and 
the  prudence  and  policy  of  asserting  that  right,  should  be 
judged  and  determined  by  a  disinterested  assembly. 

*'  Wc  therefore  humbly  pray  your  honors,  to  exclude 
the  proprietors  of  the  Susquehannah  company  from  a  voice 
on  these  matters,  and  to  reconsider  the  aforesaid  votes  and 
doings  of  the  assembly,  in  October  and  January  last ;  and 
as  we  are  willing  to  do  justice  to  all  men,  let  the  Susque- 
hannah company,  by  their  counsel,  and  counsel  assigned 
by  your  honors  to  manage  the  opposite  side  of  the  qucs- 
tion,  be  admitted  to  have  a  public  and  open  hearing  upon 
the  aforesaid  matters,  which  we  esteem  of  the  highest  and 
last  importance  ;  and  we  shall  be  happy  to  abide  by  and 
acquiesce  in  the  decision  that  shall  be  made.  In  the  mean 
time,  we  humbly  hope,  the  inhabitants  of  the  new  made 
town  of  Westmoreland,  may  be  suspended  from  interfering 
in  the  voting,  being  represented,  or  otherwise  transacting 
in  the  affair  of  government,  during  such  term  as  the  iitle 
of  the  company  to  the  same  is  in  suspense  and  undecided ; 
because  till  then,  it  cannot  be  known  whether  it  is  in  this 
colony  or  not.  As  yotur  remonstrants  in  duly  bound  shall 
ever  pray." 

This  party,  and  their  memorial,  met  with  very  little 
countenance  by  the  people  in  general;  by  many,  they 
were  made  a  subject  of  banter  and  ridicule. 

The  Susquehanndh  company,  at  the  same  time,  came  for- 
»Dcl  prono*  ward  with  a  petition,  praying  the  assembly  to  quitclaim  to 
•alsofthe  jhen,  the  right  and  title  of  the  colony,  to  the  western  lands, 
purporting  that,  to  auiet  all  apprehensions  of  expense  and 
detriment  to  the  colony,  they  would  give  good  security  to 
it,  to  take  the  whole  expense  of  prosecuting  the  claim  up- 
on themselves :  and  that,  if,  on  the  issue  of  the  dispute, 
the  lands  should  be  confirmed  to  the  colony,  they  would 
(over  and  above  paying  the  whole  expense  of  the  suit)  pay 
m  to  the  colony  treasury,  for  the  public  use,  the  sum  of 
ten  thousand  pounds  lawful  money ;  or  that  such  propor- 
tion of  said  lands,  when  recovered,  should  be  sec^uestered 
to  said  use,  as  their  hoiun^  by  themselves^  or  a  judicious 
committee,  shall  judge  reasonable  and  just. 

The  petitioners  represented  tb»t  they  were  the  more  ur- 
gent with  their  honors  in  the  afiair,  as  they  were  sensible 
of  the  rapid  population  and  settlement  of  America,  and 
consequently  of  the  rising  importaece  of  tJK>se  lands,  and 
equally  averse  to  burtheuing  the  people  of  the  colony  with 
expenses  which,  (hough  smalls  migat  be  ^n  occasioo  of 


Petition 


Susque- 
faanaah 
company 


Phap.  XXIV. 


CONNECT?':  tJT. 


47f 


internal  uneasiness ;  and  that  they  had  not  the  m6st  distant  Book  II. 
thoiieht  of  giving  up  and  relinquishing  so  fine  a  country.*    s^-n/^-^./ 

The  legisiutiu'e  persevered  in  their  measures,  and  the    1774. 
reprt'sentatives  from  Westmoreland  were  admitted  to  sit 
in  the  assembly,  as  the  representatives  of  other  towns   in 
the  colony  were. 

About  the  same  timr,  a  large  pamphlet  was  written  by 
a  Mr.  Smith  of  Philadelphia,  wno  it  was  supposed  had  been 
assisted  by  Mr.  Ingersoll,  against  the  title  of  Connecticut 
to  the  western  lands,  and  attempting  to  establish  the  title 
of  governor  Pcnn  and  the  proprietaries.  In  this,  an  at- 
tempt was  made  to  show  that  the  original  grant  to  Connec- 
ticut, and  their  charter,  did  not  cover  the  western  land  in 
contest :  That  the  tract  of  country  described  in  them  ran 
ofT  from  the  sea,  a  north  or  north-westerly  direction  :  That 
the  lands  granted  in  the  charter,  had  been  previously 
granted  to  trie  duke  of  Hamilton.  Further,  it  was  urged, 
that  Connecticut,  by  the  settlement  of  boundaries  between 
that  colony  and  the  province  of  New- York,  had  cut  her- 
self off  from  all  lands  west  of  that  province.  This  was 
officiously  spread  in  the  colony.  .  The  people  were  thrown 
into  a  great  ferment.  The  malcontents  were  for  turning 
out  the  gentlemen  of  the  upper  house  and  forming  a  new 
assembly. 

A  certain  clergyman  in  the  colony,  who  had  made  a 
large  collectioki  of  papers  and  documents  relative  to  it, 
though  wholly  unconnected  with  the  Susquehannah  com- 
pany, and  uninterested  in  it,  merely  for  quieting  the  peo- 
ple, and  maintaining  the  peace  of  the  colony,  wrote  an  an- 
swer to  Mr.  Smith's  and  Mr.  IngersolPs  pamphlet,  in  which 
he  attempted  to  evince,  from  the  most  authentic  and  re- 
peated grants  from  the  crown,  and  from  the  great  Plym- 
outh company,  prior  to  Mr.  Penn's,  the  indubitable  right 
of  Connecticut  to  the  westero  lands  in  controversy :  That 
the  original  grant  of  territory  to  Connecticut,  and  the 
charter  of  the  colony,  extended  in  longitude  from  Narra- 
ganset' river  to  the  South  sea  }  and  in  fact,  comprised  all 
the  contested  lands :  and,  that  the  settlement  of  bounda- 
ries with  New- York,  could  have  no  effect  on  the  title  of 
the  colony  to  lands  which  they  owned  west  of  said  pro- 
vince. The  original  patent,  and  various  documents  rela- 
tive to  the  title,  were  printed  and  laid  before  the  public. 
This  gave  entire  satisfaction  to  the  Susquehannah  compa- 
ny, and  to  the  people  in  general.  The  colony  was  quiet- 
ed, and  the  gentlemen  of  the  council  were  elected  at  the 
next  general  election. 

*  M«nori»l  of  the  cQnpany  in  print. 


I 


43*^ 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XX \ 


Hook  II.  Tlift  colony's  aMertiiig  its  title  to  llir  lands  west  of  the 
prrwinri?  of  Nriv-York,  was  a  lianpy  cirnimstanrr.  Coti- 
uress,  iiftrr  the  Amrrican  rcvoliidoii,  nrkiiow1r<|ged  the  ti 
ill' and  claim  of  C'onnccticiit,  an<l  the  State  reserved,  for 
Its  own  MSP,  that  fine  tract  of  country  called  New-Connc(  - 
ti<  III,  by  the  sale  of  which,  the  scliool  fund  of  Connecticut 
was  made.  This  is  a  most  happy  establishment,  which  not 
<^nly  does  groat  honor,  but  is  ol  permanent  and  incalcuh 
i'ic  advantage  to  the  commonwealth. 


1758. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

tJontroversval  ^allingford.  Mr*  Dana  called  to  preach 
there.  The  church  and  society,  without  the  advice  of  ihr 
association,  invite  him  to  settle  with  them  in  the  work  of 
the  gospel  ministry,  Ari  opposition  arises  against  him  on 
account  of  his  religious  sentitnents.  Attempts  are  made 
to  obtain  satisfaction  relative  to  them,  but  none  could  be 
obtained.  The  opposition  increaseth,  A  tomplaint  is 
exhibited  against  him  to  the  moderator  of  the  consociation. 
The  consociation  is  called  at  Wallingford,  and  an  ordi- 
vation  council  at  the  same  time,  Jne  church  and  Mr. 
Dana  deny  the  jurisdiction  of  the  consociation,  and  Mr. 
Dana  refuses  an  examination  by  it.  The  ordaining  coun- 
cil separate  themselves  from  the  consociation,  and  protest 
against  it.  They  proceed  to  Mr,  Dana^s  ordiriation  in 
direct  opposition  to  the  consociation.  The  consociation 
adjourn,  and  invite  the  neighboring  consociation  of  the 
southern  district  of  the  county  of  Hartford  to  unite  with 
them  in  council.  This  united  council  declare  Mr,  Dana 
and  his  church  guilty  of  scandalous  contempt.  The  mi- 
nor  part  of  the  church  who  opposed  the  ordination  of  Mr. 
Dana,  are  owned  as  a  distinct  church,  by  the  consoiiation. 
The  minority  are  made  a  distinct  society,  and  the  Rev. 
Simon  Waterman  is  ordained  pastor  over  that  part  of  the 
church  and  town.     Disputes  an!  divisions  m  the  colony 

.    relative  to  said  transactions, 

AFTER  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Whittelsey,  the 
first  church  and  society  in  Wallingford  were  desti- 
tute of  a  setded  minister  for  about  six  years.*  The  peo- 
ple were  so  divided  in  their  opinions  ana  feelings,  that  they 

*  Mr.  Whittelsey  died,  April  tSth,  1752.        ; 


the 

desti- 

peo- 

it  they 


Chap.  XXV*. 


CONNECTICUT. 


481 


had  not  been  nbic  to  unite  in  the  Kottlement  of  any  raildi-  Book  If. 
dale  whom  they  had  employed.     Mr.  ('hauncey  Whinel-  v^-v^^^ 
ley  had  preached  among  them,  to  more  general  satistac-    1758. 
tion  than  any  other  gentleman ;  but  there  wan  nuch  a  num- 
ber in  opposition  to  him,  that  it  wa.s  not  ju()ged  expedient 
for  him  to  settle  ivith  them.     The  association  had  advised 
the  committee  of  the  church  and  society  to  call  in  three 
candidates,  of  whom  Mr.  Whittelsey  should  be  one,  and 
the  other  two  to  be  named  by  the  minor  party,  and  to  hear 
them  nreach  six  sabbaths  each,  and  then  to  settle  him  who 
»houlu  have  the  major  vote,  and  that  the  minority  should 
then  agree  to  his  settlement.     Provided,  nevertheless,  that 
if  the  minor  party  should  refuse  to  nominate,  that  then  the 
society  might  proceed  in  a  regular  manner  to  the  settle- 
ment of  JVfr.  Whittelsey.     This  advice,  it  seems,  was  not 
acceptable.     There  was  no  prospect  that  the  majority, 
who  were  fixed  in  the  choice  of  Mr.  Whittelsey,  would  re- 
cede from  their  choice  in  favor  of  any  other  man.     At  the 
motion  of  Mr.  Whittelsey,  another  council,  consisting  of 
a  part  of  the  association,  was  called,  to  give  further  advice 
relative  to  the  difficulties   then  subsisting  at  Wallingford. 
This  advisory  council,  as  it  was  called,  advised  the  com- 
mittee of  the  church  and  society,  to  make  application  to 
Mr.  Holyoke,  president  of  Cambridge  college,  Mr.  Apple- 
ton,  minister  of  Cambridge,  and  Dr.  Chauncey,  of  Boston, 
for  direction  to  some  suitable  candidate  to  settle  in  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry  in  Wallingford.     President 
Holyoke  and  Mr.  Appleton  advised  to  Mr.  James  Dana, 
of  Cambridge.     Dr.  Chauncey  was  gone  into  the  country, 
and  his  advice  was  not  obtained.     Mr.  Dana  soon  after 
came  to  Wallingfowl,  and  preached  to  very  general  satis- 
faction ;  so  that,  at  the  first  society   meeting  which  waft 
called  relative  to  his  settlement,  there  appeared  a  good  de- 
gree of  unanimity  in  giving  him  a  call  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry  in  the  society.     None  appeared  in  opposition, 
though  some,  and  two  or  three  of  the  committee,  were  not 
in  the  vote.     They  were  not  satisfied  with  respect  to  his 
doctrines,  and  soundness  in  the  faith.     This  first  meeting, 
which  was  on  the  33d  of  June,  was  adjourned  until   the 
30th  of  the  same  month,  with  a  view  to  consult  with  Mr. 
Dana,  relative  to  his  settlement  and  salary. 

Mean  while,  one  of  the  committee  made  him  a  visit,  with 
a  view  of  obtaining  satisfaction  relative  to  his  doctrines, 
designing,  if  he  could  obtain  satisfaction  relative  to  them, 
to  act  in  favor  of  his  ordination.  He,  in  as  mild  and  de- 
cent a  manner  as  he  knew  how,  introduced  the  matter,  and 
cisked  him  a  few  questions  relating  to  his  doctrines  and 


r 


,1  i 


■>  t 


I 


i 


i 


•  n 


mi 


4M 


rrisTORv  op 


CnAf.  XXV. 


Hook  11.  preaching;,  rxpertins;  that  Mr.  Dana  would,  at  leant,  at- 
.^^.'-^/  tcmpe  to  HnJJHfy  him  with  respect  to  hid  rch^iouN  nonii- 
1763.  nictitt.  Hut  inKtrmi  o(  thix,  to  hin  gric'^B'^^  Aur^iriKc,  an 
he  trslifiril,  Mr.  Dann  answered  him  very  short,  bikJ  in  a 
loud  and  boisterous  manner,  and  treated  him  with  such  ap 
parent  an^er  nnti  disdain,  as  he  never  met  with  from  any 
^entleman  before,  declaring  that  he  did  not  regard  the  op- 
po^ilion  a  farthing,  or  wonls  to  that*  efTcet:  That  if  there 
were  any  objections  against  what  he  had  delivered  in 
pi-caching,  he  would  answer  them  before  the  ordaining  coun« 
cil.  Farther,  Mr.  Dana  said,  he  wa»  too  young  to  be  ex- 
amined. 

Some  other  gentlemen  waited  on  him  between  the  meet- 
ings, to  obtain  satisfaction  for  themselves  as  to  his  reli- 
gious sentiments,  and  particularly  desired  him  to  let  them 
know  his  sentiments  with  regard  to  original  sin,  the  saint.s 
perseverance,  and  with  respect  to  free  will  and  fulling 
from  grace.  He  made  them  very  short  answers,  and  said 
he  should  not  tell.  They  asked  him  how  he  liked  the  plat* 
funn.  He  said  he  had  never  seen  it,  but  supposed,  if  he 
Fettled,  he  should  settle  upon  it.  They  inquired  if  he  had 
seen  the  doctrines  of  faith  which  Mr.  Whittelsey  had  used  ? 
J^Ie  told  them  he  had.  They  inquired  how  he  liked  them  ? 
In  reply,  he  asked  them  why  they  did  not  ask  him  how  he 
liked  John  Bunyan'a  Pilgrim's  Progress  and  ^sop^s  fa< 
bles  '/* 

This  treatment,  and  his  refusing  to  give  an  account  of  his 
doctriues,  gave  much  dissatistaction,  and  caused  a  very 
ditierent  appearance  at  the  next  meeting,  on  the  30th. 
Now  a  strong  and  fixed  party  appeared  against  him.  The 
society,  neverthefess,  proceeded  ^o  vote  him  a  settlement 
and  salary,  and  continued  their  desire  that  he  should  be 
settled  with  them  in  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Mr.  Dana,^ 
after  consulting  his  friends,  declared  his  acceptance  of 
their  invitation. 

la  consequence  of  this,  some  of  the  leading  men  in  the 
opposition  entered  a  complaint  against  Mr.  Dana  and  the 
church.  Against  him  as  unsound  in  the  faith,  and  against 
the  church  for  calling  him  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  un- 
der such  circumsiances-,  against  so  large  an  opposition^  on 
the  aceontit  of  his  doctrines.  A  copy  of  the  complaiat  is 
in  tlie  words  following,  viz : 

'^  To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Hall,  moderator  of  the  consoci- 
ation, in  New-Haven  county. 
"  Reverend  Sir, 

'^The  petition  of  us,  whose  names  are  under  written. 
*  Rev.  Mr.  Eells*  narrrative. 


m 


Crap.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


4S1 


lun^i 


humbly  theweth,  that  whrreas  llie  first  noddy  ami  rhiirrh  Book  II. 
in  Wailintfrord  have  t)C('n  iii  piirHiiii  of  Mr.  Juiiit'H  Daiiu,  s^.'"^.' 
of  Cambrulgp,  to  •cttic  in  iho  minihtry  ^uiiuiig  iih,  rihI  iIio    |7&k. 
jtaid  church  and  itocifMy  have  not  taken  the  Mr\tn  ol'ihe  con-  Coiii|>i.\iut 
utitution  of  the  govcrnmrni,  set  forth  in  (he  Suybrook  |>liit>  '!?'"!** 
form,  reference  ihcrcio  beinm  had.     Furthermore,  we  the  ,  Jj  ^^^f. 
members  of  said  chunli  and  society,  beg  h*:ive  to  charge  <iiurili. 
Mr.   James  Dana  with  declaring  in  public,  Nome  time  lu 
Juno  last,  that  there  was  no  sacrifice  fur  wilful  tramtgrcH- 
»ions  under  the  law  or  gospel,     lie  aUo  delivered,  some 
time  in  the  same  month,  that  to  suppose  a  mun^s  sins  are 
iicceHisary   and  unavoidable,  is  to  cxcii.hc  the  man  fion) 
guilt,  and  lay  and  cast  the  blame  upon  God.      Aug.  '20th, 
Mr.  Dana  took  his  text  outofChronicles,S8th  chapter,  9th 
verxe :  under  which  text  he  undcrt<K)k  to  inform  us  what 
ivere  the  conditions  of  our  acceptance  with  Clod  ;  and  saith 
our  obedience  must  be  sincere,  unifonn,  willing,  universal, 
and  perseveringj;  that  these  were  the  condition:^  of  our  ac> 
ceptance  with  God,  and  what  would  interest  uj  in  his  fa- 
vor ;  and  that  it  would  be  suspended  until  we  had  fulfilled 
the  above  conditions^     Sometime  in  July,  said  Mr.  Dana 
delivered,  in  one  of  his  sermons,  that  the  gospel  makes  the 

Sractice  of  the  duties  of  morality,  the  unchangeable  con- 
ition  of  our  future  happiness.  He  declared  some  time 
in  August  or  September,  that  it  was  not  strange  if  we  had 
new  thinga  delivered  to  us  in  religion,  and  supposed  we 
«hould  have  further  discoveries  made  to  us  in  every  centu- 
ry, till  we  arrived  at  a  perfect  state  :  which  doctrines  we 
look  upon  as  unfounded,  not  agreeable  to  the  word  of  God, 
or  the  doctrines  of  the  Saybrook  platform,  and  the  conio^- 
sion  of  faith  therein  set  forth :  and  he  has  preached  twenty- 
one  sermons  in  Wallin^ford,  and  has  wholly  omitted  the 
doctrines  of  the  new  birth,  and  the  safety  of  appearing  in 
the  righteousness  of  Christ ;  and  he  compared  the  doctrine 
of  faitn  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Whittelsey  taught,  to 
Miop's  fables  and  John  Bunyan'sPilgriiq^s  Progress;  which 
we  look  upon  as  unbecoming.  We  do  hereby  desire  the 
consociation  to  be  called,  to  hear  these,  with  other  griev- 
ances, and  determine  the  whole  matter;  and  we  wilfbeal. 
the  cost ;  and  the  house  of  Caleb  Merriman,  Esq.  is  ap- 
pointed to  meet  at.  He  declares  he  cares  nothing  about 
the  opposition.  Members  of  said  church. 

*' Caleb  Merriman,  Caleb  Johqson,  Daniel  Clark,  Street 
Hall,  Levi  Moss,  of  the  society, 
'^A  true  copy,  test,  Samuel  Hall,  Modei'alor.* 
"Dated  at  WaUingford,  September  25th,  1758." 
«  Rev.  Mr.  Todd^s  Narrative. 


I:. 


I 


■f 


i 


484 


HISTORY  OF 


ChAP.  XXV. 


Book  II.  In  consequence  of  this  complaint,  Mr.  Hall,  the  modcra- 
v^""^''^^  tor,  by  the  advice  of  a  number  of  the  neighboring  elders, 
1758.  and  aftqrvyards  by  the  advice  of  the  association,  before 
whom  he  laid  the  rcatter,  called  the  consociation,  to  meet 
at  Wallingford  on  the  10th  of  October  ;  and  he  gave  out 
citations  under  his  hand,  to  Mr.  Dana,  and  the  church  at 
Wallingford,  notifying  them  of  the  meeting  of  the  consoci- 
ation, and  requiring  them  to  appear  at  tin]o  and  place. 
i\greeably  to  the  letters  missive,  the  consociation  conven- 
ed at  Wallingford,  and  the  council,  called  for  the  ordina- 
tion of  Mr.  Dana,  met  at  the  same  time.  ,  This  consisted 
of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Noyes,  of  New-Haven,  Hall,  of  Chesh- 
ire.  Stiles,  of  North-Haven,  Ruggles,  of  Guilford,  Hall,  of 
Meriden,  Whittelsey,  of  Milfora,  John  Brown,  of  Hing- 
Jiam,  in  Massachusetts,  and  Mr.  Whittelsey,  of  New-Haven, 
colleague  with  Mr.  Noyes,  and  Mr.  Fowler,  of  Guilford, 
colleague  with  Mr.  Ruggles.  These  were  all  members  o'i 
the  association  and  consociation  of  New-Haven  county,  ex-^ 
cept  Mr.  Brown,  of  Massachusetts.  They  all  met  with 
the  consociation  at  Esquire  Merriman's. 

The  consociation  having  thus  convened,  the  moderator, 
as  soon  as  was  convenient,  proposed  to  form  the  body,  by 
choosing  a  moderator  iand  scribe.  This  brought  on  a  dis- 
pute on  the  consociation's  being  called  de  novo^  or  as  a 
new  one,  and  also  on  account  qf  some  of  the  members  not 
being  qualified  according  to  the  constitution.  This,  how- 
ever, was  soon  so  far  overruled,  that  the  council  united  iu 
choosing  a  moderator  and  scribe,  and  the  consociation  was 
opened  with  prayer. 

Upon  this,  Mi;.  Dana  and  the  churches'  committee,  and 
the  complainants,  came  in  before  the  consociation,  and  the 
complaint  was  read.  The  church  then  declined  to  submit 
to  the  consociation.  The  church  pleaded  that,  according 
to  the  constitution,  it  could  have  no  jurisdiction  in  that 
case.  But  they  said  they  were  ready  to  hear  and  answer 
all  objections  made  to  their  proceedings  before  the  ordain- 
ing council. 

The  consociation  wishing  to  conduct  an  affair  of  such 
moment  in  the  most  amicable  manner  possible,  chose  a 
committee,  of  which  one  was  of  the  ordaining  council,  to 
treat  with  the  parties,  and  attempt  soine  mode  of  agree- 
ment. In  this  conference,  tl^e  minority  made  this  propo- 
sal by  their  agents,  "  That  in  case  Mr.  Dana  would  sub- 
mit to  an  examination  by  the  consociation  then  met,  and 
.hey  should  approve  of  him  as  orthodox,  they  would  con- 
cur in  his  ordination ;  for  his  principles  were  their  chief 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


485 


%/4 


difficulty."*     But  they  insisted  that  this  should  he  deter-  Book  II. 
mined  by  the  consociation,  and  not  by  the  ordination  coun-  ,^^/-v-' 
cil  only.     But  to  this,  Mr.  Dana  and  the  committee  would    17,50. 
riot  consent. 

The  consociation  adjourned,  to  meet  in  the  meeting- 
house the  next  morning.  In  the  mean  time,  the  gentlemen 
who  had  been  invited  to  be  of  the  ordaining  council,  met 
by  themselves  and  formed,  as  was  generally  supposed,  to 
keep  the  council  alive,  that  they  might  act,  when  the  way 
should  be  prepared  by  the  consociation.  It  was  not  sus- 
pected, even  by  some  who  formed  with  them,  that  it  was 
with  a  design  of  separating  from  the  consociation. 

When  the  consociation  met  in  the  morning,  according  to 
adjournment,  they  met  with  it.  On  declaration  being 
made  that  the  council  was  opened,  and  that  all  parties  con- 
cerned had  libei-ty  to  be  heard,  Mr.  Dana  appeared,  and 
denied  the  jurisdiction  of  the  council,  and  insisted,  that  the 
complaint  exhibited  against  him,  was  not  cognizable  by 
that  body ;  for  he  was  not  one  of  the  associated  pastors, 
that  might  be  complained  of  for  heresy  or  scanu^l  to  tho 
association  ;  nor,  if  he  was,  had  there  been  any  complaint 
of  scandal  or  heresy  made  to  the  association  against  him  ; 
nor  had  there  b^en  any  careful  examination  of  that  mattci' 
by  them.  .       .   .  .      >  ^ 

With  respect  to  this  part  of  his  plea,  that  he  was  not 
one  of  the  associated  pastors,  and  that  no  complaint  had 
been  exhibited  against  him  to  the  associaton,  &c. ;  it  was 
observed,  that  Mr.  Dana^s  preaching  to,  and  accepting 
the  call  of  a  consQciated  church,  to  take  the  pastoral  charge 
of  it,  brought  him  so  far  within  the  reach  of  the  constitu- 
tion, that  he  must  be  subject  to  the  government  of  the  con- 
sociated  churches :  That  it  was  a  maxim  ttmong  all  na- 
tions, and  so  founded  in  the  reason  of  things  that  it  will  ex- 
tend to  all  communities,  civil  and  sacred,  that  whoever 
comes  into  ai  community,  and  reaps  the  benefits  of  that  bo- 
dy, must  be  subject  to  the  laws  of  it.  That  Mr.  Dana  was 
reaping  the  benefits  of  ^  Consdcjated  church,  and  therefore, 
was  subject  to  the  laws  of  the  consociated  churches,  and 
that^  therefore,  a  charge  of  scandal  or  heresy  might  be 
brought  against  him  :  That  a  copy  of  the  charge,  in  sub- 
stance, was  given  him,  by  those  who  opposed  his  ordina- 
tion, and  that  they  certified  him  that  they  were  going  to 
Northbury,  to  the  association,  aqd  that  he  refused  to  at- 
tend. That  though  the  cottiplaint  was  carried  to  the  mod- 
erator of  the  last  consociation,  yet  that  it  was,  by  his  di- 

*  Mr.  EelU*  NarratiTe.  That  this  proposal  was  made,  at  this  time,  ia 
.Attested  by  five  of  the  principal  men  in  the  mioority. 


if 


■I'i 


'I 

%    II 


'.*•■! 


m 


486 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXV. 


Book  If.  rcctjon,  laid  before  the  association,  and  that  they  had  the 
y^-w^^^  same  opportunity  to  examine  the  matter,  as  if  it  had  been 
}758.    directed  to  them  at  the  first,  and  to  give  advice  in  the  af- 
fair ;  so  that  Mr.  Dana  was   subject  to  the  constitution. 
His  cause  had  been  so  heard  by  the  association,  that  they 
judged  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  moderator  to  convene  the 
consociation,  and  advised  him  to  the  measure,  that  Mr, 
Dana  might  be  heard  on  the  charge  exhibited  against  him. 
Though  Mr.  Dana  denied  the  jurisdiction  of  the  council, 
he  expressed  his  desire,  to  give  the  pastors  and  delegates 
of  the  churches  satisfaction,  oy  an  open  vindication  of  him- 
self;  but  at  the  same  time,  he  gave  the  council  to  under- 
stand that  he  would  not  be  interrogated  by  them  on  any 
point  of  doctrine,  or  upon  the  charge,  or  that  he  would  not 
pe  %vire-drawn.* 

When  Mr.  Dana  had  finished  what  he  proposed,  the 
committee  of  the  church  and  society  appeared  before  the 
consociation,  denied  its  jurisdiction,  and  pleaded,  "  first, 
That  the  present  convention  was  not  a  regular  consociation. 
For, 

1.  '*  A  regular  consociation  was  a  council,  consisting  of 
all  the  consociated  churches  of  the  circuit,  according  to 
the  second  article  for  the  administration  of  church  discip- 
line ;  whereas  all  the  consociated  churches  were  not  noti- 
fied, called,  or  invited  to  be  present  in  this  council.  The 
moderator  never  sent  any  notification  to  the  first  church  in 
Wallingford. 

2.  "  fhe  moderator  was  not  empowered  by  any  article 
of  the  platform,  to  call  a  consociation  de  novoy  until  the 
time  of  thie  former  was  expired. 

3.  "  Several  of  the  members  of  this  convention,  have 
not  the  essential  qualifications  of  members  of  a  consocia- 
tion ;  particularly,  Mr,  Eobblns  was  not  a  pastor  of  one  of 
the  consociated  churches." 

It  was  replied  to  these  objections  to  this  effect :  That  it 
never  had  been  the  custom  of  this  consociation,  to  notify  a 
church  to  send  a  messenger,  when  the  consociation  had 
been  called  to  consider  any  matter  relating  to  said  church, 
or  their  pastor ;  and  that  universal  practice  had  shown, 
that  the  arti.ie  in  the  platform  had  never  been  understood 
in  the  sense  of  those  wfio  made  the  objection.! 

With  respect  to  the  calling  of  the  consociation  dt  novo, 

*  Narr&tiTes  of  Mesm.  Eelis  and  Todd. 

t  It  IB  beliered,  tb«t  (here  never  has  been  ao  iutaoce,  siofe  the  forma- 
tipD  of  the  platform  to  this  time,  in  ttiia  countj,  of  seodiOg  a  letter  misuvc 
to  a  church  or  pastor,  to  sit  in  a  consociation,  in  which  a  cause  of  their 
own  was  depending.  This  would  be  like  notifyiw  a  crittiaat  to  sit  ^ 
j^dge  in  the  very  court  which  w»a  to  trr  him. 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECtlCUT. 


48t 


it  was  shewn,  that  this  had  been  the  univefsal  practice,  Book  U. 
when  a  new  case  had  occurred.     This  was  testified  by  a  v-^-v^fc/ 
number  of  the  elderly  ministers,  w!      ^ere  members  of  the     1738. 
council ;  and  that  the  calling  of  tr*      ouncil  at  Wallingford 
de  novo,  perfectly  corresponded  wiiJj  iheir  understanding  of 
Iheir  adjournment  without  day,  and  to  their  universal  prac- 
tice in  all  similar  cases. 

With  respect  to  Mr.  Robbins,  it  was  alledgcd  that  he 
had  been  received  as  a  member,  both  of  the  association 
and  consociation ;  that  he  was  one  of  the  committee  of  the 
association,  and  had  before  sat  with  the  consociation.  It 
was  further  observed,  if  any  of  the  gentlemen  to  whom  the 
letters  were  sent,  had  omitted  the  reading  of  them,  it  could 
by  no  means  afiect  the  regularity  or  jurisdiction  of  the 
council. 

The  committee  of  the  church  and  society  further  object- 
ed, that  if  the  present  convention  was  a  regular  consocia- 
tion, yet  the  case  in  question  did  not  fall  under  their  con- 
sideration, according  to  the  eonstitutioiv 

1.  *'The  complainants  were  their  own  members,  an<f 
have  no  right,  by  the  constitution,  to  call  a  consociation,  to 
sit  in  judgment  upon  them,  and  exercise  jurisdiction  over 
them.'* 

2.  *^  That  as  the  matter  of  complaint  against  them,  was 
only  their  proceeding  in  the  choosing  and  calling  a  minis- 
ter, and  what  related  to  his  ordination,  it  belonged  to  the 
ordination  council,  not  to  the  consociation,  to  judge  there- 


on 


»j 


3.  "  That  if  it  should  be  granted,  that  an  aggrieved 
member  might  bring  the  church  to  the  bar,  before  the  con- 
sociation, yet  their  members  could  not  be  aggrieved  as  yet; 
for  they  had  not  settled  a  minister,  and,  therefore,  they 
were  not  hurt  yet."  ^  . 

To  these  objections,  little  was  necessary  to  be  said.  The 
first  objection  was  so  evidently  against  the  express  provi- 
sion of  the  seventh  article  of  discipline,  that  the  simple 
words  of  it  are  a  sufficient  reply.  This  provides,  "  That 
any  church  in  which  any  difficulty  arises,  which  cannot  be 
issued  without  considerable  disquiet,  may  apply  to  the  con- 
sociation, or  that  minister  or  member  aggrieved  with  them, 
shall  apply  themselves  to  the  council  of  the  consociated 
churches  of  the  circuit  to  which  the  said  church  belongs, 
who,  if  they  see  cause,  shall  thereupon  convene,  hear,  and 
determine  such  cases  of  difficulty,"  <fcc.  No  words*  could 
be  more  express  and  determinate,  as  to  the  right  which  the 
aggrieved  brethren  had  to  make  application  to  the  conso- 
ciation for  relief,  and  with  respect  to  the  duly  of  thq  conso- 


'■j^\yi=yi      : 


408 


IIISTOKY  OF 


Chap.  XXV. 


Book  II.  cindon  to  convene,  and  hear  their  grievaneCf  and  the  obli- 
\^-N^-w  gntions  of  the  church  to  appear  and  answer  to  the  com- 
J75Q.  plaint.  Were  not  this  the  case,  a  church  ntight  exercise 
oppression  over  their  minister,  and  the  minor  part  ol 
it,  and  they  could  have  no  relief.  They  might  introduce 
Roman  catholics,  the  most  loose,  profane  and  scandabus 
j)ersons,  into  the  church  and  into  the  ministry,  to  the  great 
grief  and  distress  of  the  most  orthodox  and  pious  people  in 
it,  and  they  could  have  no  reliefs 

With  respect  to  the  second  article,  that  the  articles  com- 
plained of  were  such  £i8  belonged  to  the  decision  of  the 
ordination  council,  and  not  to  the  consociation,  it  was  re- 
plied to  this  effect :  That  the  articles  of  complaint  were, 
that  the  church  had  not  taken  the  steps  prescribed  in  the 
constitution,  in  calling,  a!nd  in  proceeding  to  settle  a  gen- 
tleman^ who  does  not  hold  to  the  doctrines  of  faith,  and 
stands  charged  with  heresy :  that  the  consociated  churches 
had  received  the  doctrines  of  faith,  as  well  as  the  articles 
of  discipline,  contained  in  the  agreement  made  at  Say- 
brook;  and  that  the  General  Assembly  had  established  the 
confession  of  faith,  no  less  than  the  heads  of  agreement  and 
articles  of  discipline ;  that  the  charge  against  the  church 
was,  their  choosmg  such  a  person,  and  proceeding  in  such 
a  manner,  to  obtam  his  oraination ;  that  (his  was  the  mat- 
ter to  be  submitted  to  trial ;  and  that  the  constitution  knew 
of  no  council  to  try  articles  of  complaint,  but  the  consocia- 
tion. That  the  third  article  of  discipline  had  confined  the 
trial  to  the  consociation,  and,  consequently,  excluded  the 
ordination  council.  The  article  provides,  that  '^  all  cases 
of  scandal  that  fall  out  within  the  circuit  of  any  of  the  afore- 
said consociations,  shall  be  brought  to  a  council  of  the  el- 
ders, and  also  messengers  of  the  churches  within  said  cir- 
cuit." 

With  respect  to  the  third  objection,  that  the  complain- 
ants were  not  yet  aggrieved,  because  Mr.  Dana  was  not 
settled,  it  was  considered  as  merely  trifling.  The  church 
had  proceeded  to  call  Mr.  Dana,  and  had  taken  all  previ- 
ous steps  to  introduce  him  into  the  ministry,  as  pastor  of 
the  church,  against  a  large  and  respectable  minority,  which 
was  calculated  to  make  a  great  division  and  separation  in 
the  church  and  town ;  a  man  whom  they  considered  as  not 
sound  in  the  faith ;  whose  doctrines  they  believed,  instead 
of  being  salutary,  would  be  destructive  to  the  souls  of  men. 
He  was  now  their  pastor  elect,  and  the  church  and  society 
had  called  a  council  to  ordain  him.  The  consociation 
judged,  and  they  believed  that  all  mankind  would  esteem 
these  to  be  grievances  indeed.  / 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


489 


Aftrr  these  objections  had  been  made,  the  consociation  Book  II. 
were  for  some  time  by  themselves,  debating  upon  them,  v-^-sr-^ 
Here,  among  other  things,  what  were  said  to  be  the  doings    1753. 
of  a  consociation  at  Branford,  in  April,  1709,  were  intro- 
duced.    This  paper  was  a  piece  of  antiquity,  which  had 
lain  useless,  and  almost  wholly  unknown,  for  six  and  thir- 
ty years,  when  it  was  produced  at  Branford,  in  the  case  of 
Mr.  Bobbins :  it  was  then  new  to  almost  every  minister 
present.     It  was  introtluced  at  Branford,  to  prove  that  Mr. 
Bobbins  and  his  church  were  consociated,  and  amenable 
to  the  consociation ;  but  at  Wallingford,  thirteen  years  af- 
terwards, it  was  improved  by  the  same  men,  to  show  that 
the  church  there,  which  had  always  been  consociated,  was 
not  subject  to  consociational  jurisdiction.     The  explana- 
tion of  the  articles  of  discipline  contained  in  this  ancient 
paper,  had  never  been  improved  in  the  county  of  New-Ha- 
ven, but  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Bobbins  in  1745,  and  now  in 
this  at  Wallingford,  to  prove  directly  the  contrary  to  what 
it  had  been  judged  to  prove  at  Branford.     it  never  had 
been  adopted  as  a  rule  of  action,  by  the  consociation  of 
New-Haven  county,  nor  by  any  other  in  the  colony.     Be- 
sides, the  pretended  explanation  had  never  been  referred 
to  any  of  the  churches,  for  their  acceptance ;  nor  could  any 
recora  or  proper  evidence  be  produced,  that  the  church  at 
Wallingford,  or  any  other  of  the  consociated  churches,  had 
received  the  platform,  or  constitution,  with  any  such  ex- 
planation as  that  paper  contained.     The  consociation, 
therefore,  considered  the  explanation  pleaded  for  of  no 
weight,  and  that  it  was  inconsistent  in  gentlemen  to  use  it 
for  purposes  so  directly  opposite  to  eacn  other. 

It  was  also  insisted  on,  by  the  gentlemen  of  the  ordina- 
tion council,  that  the  words  in  the  parenthesis,  in  the  sev- 
enth article,  "  or  that  minister  or  that  member  aggrieved 
with  them,"  was  explained  by  the  next  article,  where  it 
was  provided,  that  there  is  not  the  same  liberty  to  an  of- 
fending brother  to  "call  the  said  council,  before  the  church 
to  which  he  belongs  proceed  to  excommunication  in  the 
said  case,  unless  with  the  consent  of  the  church ;"  and 
that  no  pastor,  or  aggrieved  individual,  or  individuals, 
could  call  a  council  to  arraign  the  pastor,  or  a  majority 
of  the  church,  before  it,  and  that  it  was  subversive  of  the 
liberties  of  the  churches.  The  consociation  had  an  entire- 
ly different  view  of  the  seventh  and  eighth  articles.  That 
the  eighth  was  no  explanation  of  the  seventh;  and  that  the 
case  of  the  offending  brother  was  entirely  different  and 
distinct  from  that  of  an  aggrieved  pastor  or  brother. 

When  the  objections  against  the  jurisdiction  of  the  con- 

M3 


m 


'■«■■■• 


400 


HISTORY  OP 


Chaf.  XXV. 


13ooK  II.  sociation  had  been  fully  debated,  and  maturely  considered, 
v-^-v-^/  the  question  was  put,  "  Mfhcther  this  consociation  have  a 
1 758.  I'ight  to  hear  and  determine,  in  relation  to  the  complaint  ex- 
hibited against  the  proceedings  of  the  first  church  in  Wal- 
lingford,  with  regard  to  the  calling  of  Mr.  James  Dana,  to 
settle  in  the  gospel  ministry  among  them  ?''  and  passed  iti 
tlio  affirmative.  Upon  this,  the  gentlemen  who  were  of 
the  ordination  council,  who  had,  till  this  time,  joined  and 
acted  with  the  consociation,  withdrew  themselves  wholly 
from  it,  and  entered  into,  and  presented  to  the  consocia- 
tion the  following  protest : 

"  To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Hall,  and  cither  elders  and 
messengers  of  churches,  of  this  county,  convened  at  the 
house  of  Caleb  Merriraan,  Esq.  in  Wallingford,  and  acting, 
or  pretending  to  act,  as  the  consociation  of  this  county. 

"  We  the  subscribers,  do  hereby  declare  our  dissent  from, 
and  protest  against,  whatever  resolves  may  be  come  into, 
or  determined  upon  by  you,  for  the  following  reasons : 

1.  "Because,  by  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  of  this, 
colony,  a  consociation  may  subsist  by  adjournment,  for  a 
year  :  a  new  consociation  was  called,  and  met  last  May, 
and  continued  themselves  by  adjournment,  and  must  be 
therefore  now  in  being ;  yet  the  present  convention  was 
called  together  as  a  new  consociation. 

2.  "  Because  one  of  the  churches  under  the  constitu< 
lion,  in  this  county,  was  not  notified  to  attend  the  conso- 
ciation by  their  delegates.  ,    . 

3.  "  Because  you  have  voted,  or  resolved  by  a  prerog- 
ative act,  that  Mr.  Robbins,  of  Branford,  may  sit  and  act 
as  a  member  of  the  consociation,  who,  with  his  church, 
have  voted  out  the  constitution,  and  refused  to  be  regulated 
by  it ;  and  accordingly  did  not  lead  his  churcb  to  choose 
any  delegate. 

4.  "  Because  the  special  matters  which,  by  complaint, 
lie  before  you,  relating  to  the  first  church  and  society  in 
Wallingford,  and  Mr.  James  Dana,  are  so  brought,  that, 
were  you  a  regular  consociation,  they  could  not  be  taken 
cognizance  of  by  you,  consistent  with  the  essential  rights  of 
congregational  churches,  and  the  plain  directions  of  the 
constitution :  and  the  resolve  you  have  already  come  into 
thereupon,  (if  reduced  to  a  precedent)  will  efrectuaUy  de- 
f>  ive  the  churches  of  their  right  to  choose  their  own  pas- 
tors, and  to  exercise  church  tfiscipline."* 

The  consociation  sent  a  copy  of  their  determination,  that 
they  had  a  right  to  hear  the  complaint  which  lay  before 
them.  After  this,  both  councils  were  adjourned  until  eight 
o'clock  the  next  mornitlg. 

*  Mr.  Todd's  Narrative,  p.  40, 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


49t> 


The  consociation  met  the  next  ninrriing,  according  to  Boor  II. 
adjournment,  and  came  to  the  following  resolve,  viz.  s.^^>^-^^ 
*'  Kesolvcd  by  this  consociation,  that  it  shall  be  esteemed,  1 7 -,(^ 
and  it  is  hereby  judged  disorderly,  for  any  of  the  menil)rrs 
of  this  consociation,  or  any  other  persons,  to  proceed  to, 
or  be  assisting  in  the  ordination  of  Mr.  James  Dana,  to  the 
gospel  ministry,  in  the  first  church  and  society  uf  Walling- 
ford,  while  the  matter  is  depending  before  this  consociation. 
And  also,  it  is  judged  disorderly  for  the  church  in  VValliii!;- 
ford  to  proceed  in  receiving  Mr.  Dana  for  their  pastor,  by 
ordination ;  and  for  him  to  accept  thereof,  until  the  com- 
plaint against  Mr  Dana,  and  the  proceedings  of  said  church, 
cognizable  by  this  consociation,  have  been  heard  and  de- 
termined. Therefore,  this  consociation  earnestly  beseech 
and  desire  the  church  to  st-Jy  the  things  which  make  for 
peace  ;  and  all  our  members  not  to  be  assisting  in  the  or- 
dination of  Mr.  Dana,  and  Mr.  Dana  not  to  accept  thereof, 
till  the  matter  is  fully  weighed  and  considered  by  this  con- 
sociation, and  full  satisfaction  given  in  the  matters  lying 
before  this  body.     Voted.     Test. 

"  Warham  Williams,  Scribe." 

The  consociation,  at  the  same  time,  sent  a  resolve  which 
they  had  previously  passed,  relative  to  the  case  of  Mr.  Da^ 
na,  which  was  in  the  following  words,  viz  : 
"  At  a  meeting,  &c. 

"  This  consociation  having  duly  weighed  and  considered 
the  reasons  offered  by  Mr.  James  Dana,  why  he  is  not 
bound,  &c.  resolved,  that  this  consociation  have  cogni- 
zance of  the  matter,,  and  a  right  over  all  who  present  them- 
selves as  preachers  and  candidates  for  the  ministry,  in  any 
of  the  consociated  churches  of  this  county  ;  so  far  at  least, 
as  to  forbid,  where  there  is  occasion,  any  such  candidates 
or  preachers,  to  preach  in  any  of  the  consociated  church- 
es, or  be  ordained  in  aqd  over  them,  until  such  candidates 
or  preachers  give  full  satisfaction  to  this  consociation,  to 
such  matters  of  complaint  as  are  regularly  brought  against 
them,  before  this  body.    Above  voted  and  resolved.  Test, 

^'  Wabham  Williams,  Scribe.* 
"  To  Mr.  James  Dana." 

In  the  morning,  before  they  went  to  the  meeting  house 
for  a  public  hearing,  the  ordination  council  made  a  propo- 
sal for  the  dissolution  of  both  councils,  each  leaving  their 
advice  to  all  parties,  to  study  the  things  which  make  for 
peace.  The  consociation  declined  an  acceptance  of  this 
proposal,  and  insisted  that  they  could  not  put  the  case  out 
«f  their  hands,  and  leave  it  in  the  power  of  the  church  tQ 

♦Mr.  Todd's  Narrative,  p.  50,  51, 


402 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXV. 


Book  II.  call  another  ordination  council,  and  settle  Mr.  Dana,  he- 
v^-v-^/  fore  the  consociation  could  come  together  again.  At  the 
1758.  same  time,  they  were  very  desirous  that  both  councils 
should  adjourn,  and  have  further  time  for  consideration. 
For  this  purpose,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Merrick  and  others,  were 
ap|H>inlcd  a  committee,  to  treat  with  the  ordination  coun> 
cil,  and  they  expostulated  with  them,  in  as  tender  and 
moving  a  manner  as  possible,  that  the  matter  might  be  de> 
ferred  for  some  time  ;  that  the  heat  which  then  appeared 
might,  in  some  measure,  subside ;  and  they  gave  them  as- 
surance, that  the  consociation  would  adjourn  for  a  consid- 
erable time,  if  they  would  consent  to  a  similar  adjourn- 
ment. They  urged  that  there  was  great  danger  of  their 
breaking  all  in  pieces,  and  of  great  and  lasting  divisions, 
if  any  thing  was  done  suddenly.*  But  the  ordination  coun- 
cil could  not  be  persuaded  to  postpone  the  affair. 

Several  of  the  ordination  council,  when  they  perceived 
how  matters  were  going,  separated  from  them.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Fowler,  colleague  with  Mr.  Ruggles  of  Guilford,  and 
Esq.  Sackct  of  North-Haven,  Mr.  Stiles'  messenger,  sepa- 
rated from  them  immediately,  as  soon  as  they  perceived 
ihey  were  about  to  form  themselves  into  a  council,  distinct 
and[  separate  from  the  consociation.  Mr.  Ruggles  also, 
though  he  was  prevailed  upon  to  sign  the  protest,  yet  he 
was  so  affected  with  the  affair,  that  he  withdrew  from  them 
in  the  morning,  and  did  not  assist  in  the  examination  or 
ordination  of  Mr.  Dana, 

The  gentlemen  of  the  ordination  council  having  sepa- 
rated themselves  from  the  consociation,  after  some  con- 
sultation upon  the  affair  on  which  they  had  been  convened, 
at  Wallineford,  put  the  question,  "  Whether  this  council 
hath  a  right  to  proceed  upon  matters  relative  to  the  ordina- 
tion of  Mr.  James  Dana,  to  the  pastoral  office  in  the  first 
society  in  Wallingford,  and  over  the  church  in  said  socie- 
ty ?"  and  the  vote  passed  in  the  affirmative. 

Upon  the  desire  of  the  committee  of  the  church  and  of 
Mr.  Dana,  the  ordaining  council  adjourned  to  the  meet- 
ing house,  with  a  view  to  give  the  committee  an  opportu- 
nity to  publish  their  proceedings  in  calling  Mr.  Dana,  and 
that  he  might  also  have  an  opportunity  publicly  to  mani- 
fest his  Orthodoxy. 

After  this  public  hearing  in  the  meeting  house,  the  or- 
dination council  returned  to  madam  Whittelsey's,  the  place 
of  their  meeting.  The  following  question  was  then  put, 
"  Whether  the  church  and  society  have  proceeded  regu- 
larly in  their  application  unto,  and  call  of  the  said  Mr, 
*  Mr.  Eells*  Narrative,  p.  36. 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


493 


Dana,  to  the  pastora    •Tice  among  and  over  them?'*    Vo-  Book  II. 
ted   in    the   affirmative.      The  question  was    aUo   put,  s^xv^^k/ 
*' Whether  Mr.  Dana  hath  vindicated  himself,  with  respect    1758. 
to  the  charges  and  allegations  against  him,  to  the  satisfac- 
tion  of  this  council  ?"    voted  in  the  affirmative. 

The  ordination  council  then  proceeded  to  an  examina- 
tion of  the  candidate,  and  after  examination,  the  council 
voted  their  satisfaction,  with  respect  to  Mr.  Dana's  knowl- 
edge, orthodoxy,  and  ministerial  qualifications.  Mr.  Da- 
na, at  the  same  time,  declared  his  willingness  to  settle  and 
take  the  care  and  charge  of  the  first  church  in  Wallingford, 
under  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  of  this  colony-. 

The  consociation,  before  the  ordination  council  had  de- 
termined to  ordain  Mr.  Dana,  certified  them,  that  there 
were  ninety-five  in  opposition  to  Mr.  Dana's  ordination. 
They  represented  that  they  possessed  half  the  rateable  es- 
tate in  the  society.*  The  moderator  intimated  to  the  or- 
dination council,  that  he  considered  this  as  a  strong  ob- 
jection to  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Dana.  Some  of  the  oppo- 
sition were  men  of  principal  character  in  the  town,  and 
were  possessed  of  the  greatest  estates  in  it. 

The  ordination  council,  notwithstanding  the  prohibition 
and  earnest  entreaties  of  the  consociation,  proceeded  to 
the  Important  question,  "  Whether  the  council  will  pro- 
ceed to  the  ordination  of  the  said  Mr.  James  Dana,  to  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  in  said  first  church  and  socie- 
ty in  Wallingford  ?"  Voted  in  the  affirmative.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Todd,  one  of  the  council,  says,  "  We  looked  upon  it, 
that  we  were  called  of  God  to  ordain  Mr.  Dana."t 

The  council  accordingly  proceeded,  ii  these  peculiar O""^*"*- 
circumstances,  to  ordain  Mr.  Dana  at  WaUingford.  |^^"  °     *'* 

In  consequence  of  this  extraordinary  transaction,  in  op-  Oct.  12, 
position  to,  and  in  face  of  the  consociation,  this  body  came  I'^^S- 
to  the  following  resolve,  viz : 

A  complaint  being  exhibited  to  this  consociation,  against 
the  proceedings  of  the  first  church  in  Wallingford,  in  call- 
ing Mr.  James  Dana,  of  Cambridge,  to  settle  in  the  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry  with  them,  as  being  contrary  to  the 
rules  of  agreement,  as  set  forth  in  the  Saybrook  platform ; 
a*id  the  charges  against  Mr.  Dana,  in  regard  to  his  princi- 
ples in  religion,  by  Caleb  Mep'iman,  Esq.  a  member  of 
said  church,  and  sundry  others :  and  said  first  church  in 
Wallingford  and  Mr,  Dana,  being  regularly  cited  to  ap- 
pear before  the  said  consociation,  to  answer  respectively 
to  the  complaints  against  them:  appeared  accordingly, 

*  Mr.  EeI1«»  Narrative,  p.  10, 11  and  33,  4 

t  Mr.  Todd's  Narrative,  p.  60  to  54, 


494 


IIJSTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXV. 


Book  If.  hut  denied  thr  jurisdiction  of  the   council,   whirh  bcinj; 

v^'-v'^  overruled  by  the  cotisociation,  it  was  judged  disordirly 
1758.  for  any  of  the  memhers  of  this  consociation,  or  any  other 
pcr8on»,  to  proceed  to,  or  be  assisting  in  the  ordination  of 
Mr.  Dana,  &c.  Copies  of  the  resolve  of  the  said  consocia- 
tion, in  regard  to  overruling  the  pleas  of  the  jurisdiction, 
hic.  xvcre  sent,  &lc.  who  were  notified  that  the  consociation 
was  open,  and  ready  to  hear  their  defence ;  but  they  whol- 
ly refused  to  appear  and  plead.  And  likewise  a  copy  of 
the  resolve,  relative  to  its  being  disoitlerly  to  proceed  to 
the  ordination,  while,  &c.  was,  by  order  of  the  consocia^ 
tion,  sent  to  the  Rev.  Joseph  Noyes,  moderator,  &ic. ;  and 
sundry  endeavors  to  find  some  measures  of  healing  the 
great  and  uohappy  difTerences  in  Wallingford  first  society, 
were  used,  but  proved  ineffectual.  Notwithstanding,  in  di- 
rectopposition  to  theconsociation,  and  before  there  wastitno 
or  opportunity  to  come  to  a  final  resolve  or  result  in  the  af- 
fair, sundry  members  of  the  consociation,  with  other  per- 
sons, proceeded  to  assist  in  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Dana, 
6lc.  ;  the  said  church  and  Mr.  Dana  submitting  thereto. 
In  this  distressed,  disordered  state  of  the  church  and  socic- 
ty  in  said  Wallingford,  this  consociation,  desiring  its  peace 
and  edification,  and  that  gospel  order,  according  to  the 
constitution  of  these  churches'j  may  be  maintained ;  and 
considering  that  the  consequences  of  this  whole  affair  may 
be  very  important ;  and  that  the  honor  of  religion,  and  the 
communion  of  the  churches  in  this  county,  are  nearly  con- 
cerned, would  not  be  hasty  and  precipitate  in  coming  to  a 
a  final  determination  in  tnis  afTair ;  but  think  best  to  ad- 
journ this  consociation  to  the  31st  day  of  this  instant  Oc- 
tober, &c.  And  whereas  this  case,  as  now  circumstanced, 
seems  great  in  the  nature  of  it,  and  of  general  concern, 
this  consociation  being  desirous  that  it  mi^ht  be  issued 
with  the  greatest  safety  to  the  churches,  think  it  best  to 
be  referred  to  a  fuller  council ;  and  therefore  desire  the 
moderator  of  this  consociation,  in  the  name  and  behalf  of 
the  same,  to  apply  to  the  consociation  of  the  southern  dis- 
trict of  the  county  of  Hartford,  to  convene  at  the  time  and 
place  above  mentioned ;  to  join  with  this  consociation  in 
hearing  and  determining  the  case,  with  respect  to  Mr.  Dep 
iia  and  the  first  church  in  Wallingford,  lying  before  this 
body,  antecedent  to  the  ordination,  and  their  disorderly 
walking,  in  proceeding  to  the  same,  contrary  to  the  resolve 
of  this  council.  And  the  moderator  is  desired  to  cite  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Dana,  and  the  first  church  in  Wallingford,  to  ap- 
,         pear  before  the  said  adjourned  consociation,  joinecj  by  the 


rnAr.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


496 


conftociatioi)  alwvc  mentioned,  at  the  lime,  Aic.  to  answer  Book  II. 
to  the  things  referred  to,  &c.  Si^"v^^^ 

Test.     Wariiam  Williams,  Scribe.        1758. 
To  exhibit  these  extraordinary  transactions  in  a  clear 
point  of  light,  it  ought  to  be  stated,  that  by  the  agreement 
nt  Say  brook.  Article  XII.  the  whole  business  of  examining 
candidates  and  recommending  them  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry, had  been  committed  to  the  pastors  of  the  several 
counties  \  and  from  the  very  commencement  of  the  agree- 
ment, the  associations  examined  all  their  candidates,  and 
recommended  them  as  persons  (nialiiied  for  preaching  the 
gospel,  antecedent  to  their  preaching  at  all,  and  that  when 
any  vacant  church  was  about  to  call  a  candidate  for  settle- 
ment over  them,  it  was  done  by  the  previous  advice  and 
recommendation  of  the  pastors  of  the  county.     This,  in 
particular,  had  been  the  practice  in  th«  county  of  New- 
Haven,  as  is  evident  by  the  records  of  the  association. 
No  association  in  the  colony  had  been  more  rigid  in  thi.«) 
point,  than  they.   They  expressed  their  displeasure  against 
the  church  and  people  at  Salisbury,  for  calling  an  unex- 
ceptionable candidate,  who  had  been  examinod  and   re- 
commended as  a  proper  person  for  the  ministry,  and  they 
excluded  a  number  of  the  ministers  of  the  association  from 
associational  communion,  because  they  ordained  him  with- 
out their  advice.    They  had  been  consulted  bv  the  church 
of  Wallingf(Mxl,  before  Mr.  Dana  preached  to  them.    With 
respect  to  Mr.  Dana,  it  does  not  appear  that  he  had  ever 
been  examined  or  recommended  as  a  candidate,  by  any  as- 
sociation or  body  of  ministers.     It  was  not  the  general 
practice  in  Massachusetts  to  examine  and  recommend  their 
candidates.     Mr.  Dana  was,  however,  recommended  by 
two  ministers,  in  letters  to  the  church  at  Wallingford,  at 
the  time  of  his  ordination.    The  Rev.  Mr.  Appleton  writes 
thus  of  him,  "  The  superior  gifts  with  which  God  hath  en- 
dowed your  pastor  elect,  attended  with  a  sober  life,  &c. 
gives  a  good  foundation  to  hope  and  trust,  that  he  will  be 
a  good  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  a  great  blessing  to  you 
and  yours  after  you,  if  God  shall  spare  his  life.^'     Mr« 
Tyler,  of  whose  church  he  was  a  member,  says,  "  By  the 
grace  of  God  he  hath  adorned  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Sav- 
iour, among  us  :  we  esteeming  ourselves  honored  of  God, 
that  we  can  make  you  the  present  of  a  son  of  this  church, 
to  be  over  you  in  the  Lord."     This  recommendation,  froni 
gentlemen  at  a  great  distance,  without  any  intimation  that 
they  had  ever  examined  him,  was  very  different  from  the 
examination,  recommendation,  and  advice  of  the  associat- 
ed ministers  of  the  countv,  to  whom  the  church  had  madb 


49a 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXV. 


DooK  n.  no  nppliradon,  and  against  whose  opinion  ihry  wrro  nrt. 
in;;.  Yot  ilic  ordination  council  voted  that  thn  church  hud 
pr(»cf'rdcd  regularly. 

It  was  very  extraordinary  also,  thnt  the  onlination  conn* 
cil  should  object  against  tne  jurisdiction  of  the  runnoria. 
tion,  because  it  was  called  lie  novo,  when  it  was  proved  hy 
the  aged  ministers,  that  this  had  been  the  universal  prac- 
tice wnen  a  new  case  happened,  and  they  themselves  Wf-r*' 
witnesses  to  it,  and  coulu  not  produce  a  sitiglc  instance  to 
the  contrary.  Further,  that  tncy  should  vole  the  matters 
of  complaint  were  before  them,  andnrocced  to  judge  upon 
them,  when  the  aggrieved  had  exhioited  ho  complaint  to 
them ;  had  not  been  cited  before,  nor  called,  nor  ulloworl 
to  produce  a  single  evidence,  nor  speak  a  word  before 
them,  in  sup|>ort  of  their  complaint  and  grievances.  Th<  y 
acnuitted  the  accused  delinquent  upon  his  owndcclarntion 
and  statements,  and  judged  the  wnole  aflfair  upon  an  en- 
tirely ex-parte  hearing.  This  right  the  ordaining  loun- 
cil  pretended  to  claim  by  virtue  ot  the  ecclesiastical  con- 
stitution of  the  colony,  when,  in  fact,  neither  the  articles 
of  agreement,  nor  the  articles  of  discipline,  know  of  any 
Kuch  council;  and  when  the  articles  of  discipline  cxprcsK- 
ly  confine  the  hearing  of  all  matters  of  scandal  to  a  coun- 
cil of  the  consociation. 

In  these  extraordinary  measures  they  peisisled,  and 
when  the  united  council  convened,  on  the  31st  of  October, 
they  would  not  answer  before,  nor  submit  to  them.  The 
council  met  and  formed  in  a  regulannanner,  and  was  the 
most  .numerous  and  respectable  ever  convened  before  in 
the  colony,  consisting  of  the  most  learned  and  pious  di- 
vines in  the  counties  of  Hartford  and  New-Haven,  and  of 
deacons  and  justices  of  the  peace,  the  principal  men  in  the 
respective  chuix:hcs  in  the  two  counties.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Russell,  of  Middietown,  was  chosen  moderator  of  the  con- 
sociation from  the  county  of  Hartford;  a  gentleman  of 
grti  t  respectability,  for  knowledge,  experience,  modera- 
tion, and  for  pacific  measures,  on  all  occasions.  When 
(he  two  consociations  had  formed,  united,  and  opened  with 
prayer,  the  committee  of  the  church  in  Wallingford  :i|;- 
peared  before  them,  and  denied  the  i  '.gularity  and  jurisr'k 
tion  of  the  council  thus  united.     They  pleaded, 

1 .  "  The  convention,  that  called  themselves  the  conso- 
ciation of  New-Haven  county,  was  no  regular  consociation ; 
consequently  could  not,  according  to  the  constitution,  invite 
another  ci'isociation  to  join  them;  nor  could  another  join 
them.  ■*" 

2.  '■  The  .  iinh:  aS  and  Miessengers  present,  from  Hart- 


cas 


Cmap.  XXV. 


CONNtCTU  UT. 


49: 


Hart- 


fonl  county,  \srrc  not  callc<l logrihrr  urcitnlir^  lotlinon-  B>)0k11. 
Kliliiiiuii ;  lor  lh(*  mtMlinitor  ut'  ihi>  hi»l  <'oii9<m  iulioii  uf  lite  v^^v^^ 
ikoullirrn  district  of  iliirtfifrd  rouni),  is  iio(    iii|Mmti-«-(l  liy     17^8. 
tlic  |»{ail'orm,  (o  <:-,tl|  luioihrrcoiisoi  lalioii,  ck  rpiiiij^  wiih- 
in  U\n  own  rirniil.     Thrnuuicralor  niigfi'.  tvmI)  pn  |M>r  :*il* 
vi<:r,  hnvc  culUd  for  a  consociaiion  in  Mintt    >liec  Mithiii 
ih'!  1'irciiil  UiiTCof;  which c'onHOciation,  il'th»  >  ^  iw  «au4«, 
mi^hl  vole  to  come  to  WalUnj^l'onJ,  and  hit  wi'ih  ihr  \(\f- 
Havrn  conHorialioii,  it'  there  was  one.     Uui  iVlr.  Uu.ss<  II 
did  not  call  the  conncil  willitn  ilioir  circuit;  hut  issued  oui 
his  IrttofM  missive  to  the  mini.iters  and  churches,  directing 
them  to  meet  ut  Walliiigford. 

.3,  "  Two  cont(r)ci.'tiionH  could  not,  according  to  the  con- 
stitution, he  uni' it  <  jccent  there  he  some  dillicult  case,  to 
l)e  referred  to  hom  ti)  j-idge  and  determine.  But  the  VVal- 
lingford  i  ftn  wn^  tuti  hetl,  before  the  resolution  of  the  pas- 
tors and  IT  9«/'»it<erH  of  the  churches  of  New-IIavcn  coun- 
ty, (  )  <  !ill  u\  nil  >ther  consociation." 

Tiu  .  onaociation  from  the  county  of  Hartford,  judged 
tliat  'tic  con»ociauonofNcw-IIaven,  called  at  Wallingford, 
was  a  regular  i:on8ocialion,  and  consequcndy  had  a  right 
to  invite  another  consociation  to  unite  with  them. 

Withreftpect  to  Mr.  Russcirsnot  having  power  to  call 
the  consociation  of  the  southern  district  of  the  county  of 
Hertford  to  meet  at  Wallingford,  it  was  judged  that,  as  the 
seventh  article  in  the  constitution  made  ample  provision, 
nnd  gave  special  directions  for  the  calling  m  of  a  neigh- 
boring consociation,  it,  in  that  case,  extended  the  bounds 
of  their  action  beyond  the  limits  of  their  own  particular 
district,  and  empowered  them  to  act  within  the  limits  of 
the  consociation  which  called  them ;  and  that  it  must  be, 
that  the  moderator  had  a  right  to  call  the  consociation  to 
the  place  where  they  were  desired  to  meet ;  and  that  the 
calling  of  the  cdlisociation  of  the  southern  district  of  Hart- 
ford county,  to  meet  at  Wallingford,  was  regular.  The 
adjournment  of  one  consociation  into  the  limits  of  another, 
they  observed,  had  not  the  least  countenance  by  the  con- 
stitution ;  and  that  it  did  not  appear  so  reasonable,  as  to 
call  it  immediately  to  the  place  of  action.  They  were  fi^r- 
ther  of  upinioi.,  that  the  making  matters  of  mere  form,  io 
ca«.e  .vhere  there  were  no  fixed  rules  essential  to  the  be- 
ing and  acting  of  an  ecclesiastical  body,  was  inconsistent 
with  reason.  The  council  was  fully  of  the  opinion,  that 
the  Wallingford  case  was  not  finished  before  assistance 
was  called  for,  and  that  it  was  one  of  such  magnitude,  an 
required  thecallingof  the  united  council. 

Objections  were  made  to  several  gendetnen  ,of  the  cop- 


it 


ti 


408 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXV. 


]ll)Q. 


Rook  H.  soriation,  but  one  only  was  excuRcd  from  acting  with  th<^ 
coiiiirii,  who  had  a  faiher  in  the  minor  party.  All  other 
objrctioTiS  having  been  considored  and  overruled,  the  coun- 
cil was  prepared  to  hear  the  complaints. 

But  that  the  fullest  proof  might  be  given  of  its  earnest 
desire,  if  possible,  to  accommoclate  tlie  difficulties  at  Wal- 
Jingford,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  confer  with  Mr. 
Dana,  and  the  parties,  concerning  a  reconciliation.  The 
';omnii(tec  reported  the  following  proposal  of  the  mino4'i- 
ty,  viz. 

"  Whereas,  the  consociation  of  New-Haven  county,  and 
the  consociation  of  Hartford  county,  south  district,  being 
convriied  at  Wallingford,  to  hear  and  determine  certain 
difficulties  in  the  first  church  and  society  in  Wallingford : 
and  said  consociation  appointing  a  committee  to  reconcile 
die  parlies,  we  the  subscribers,  members  of  said  church 
and  society,  and  committee  of  the  minor  part,  do  offer  at 
this  time,  to  the  church  committee,  and  Mr.  Dana,  to  have 
tlie  consociation  of  the  south  district  of  Hartford  county 
examine  Mr*  Dana's  notes,  referred  to  in  the  complaint; 
and  another  sermon,  preached  the  8th  day  of  October  last; 
and  also  examine  Mr.  Dana,  according  to  their  method  of 
examination,  and  if  they  find  him  sotind  in  the  faith  of  th*» 
gospel,  (and  also  examine  his  moral  conduct)  and  if  they 
lind  him  qualified  for  a  gospel  minister,  we  will  consent  ti"> 
him,  and  receive  him  as  our  minister :  bat  if  he  is  not  qual 
ilied  as  set  forth  above,  then  to  have  him  dismissed. 


"i   ilic  mi 
ijority. 


Street  Hall, 
Caleb  Mepriman, 
Daniel  Clark, 
Caleb  Johnson'. 
Isaac  Johnson." 


John  Hall,  2d, 

Eliakim  Hall, 

Dan  Johnson, 

Abel  Peck, 
"  Wallingford,  Nov.  2, 1758. 
Afterwards,  they  declared  to  Mr.  Dana,  and  to  the  coun- 
cit,  they  v^ere  willing  to  concede,  that  #iat  respected  his 
moral  character  should  not  be  regarded  on  trial.  This 
proposal  was  rejected  by  Mr.  Dana.*  He  i*efused  to  bo 
examined  by  the  consociation. 

Before  the  council  proceeded  to  an)'  thing  expressive  of 
authority,  friendly  notice  was  given  to  Mr.  Dana  and  the 
church,  by  Mr.  Trumbull.  But  as  this  was  not  regarded, 
the  council  proceeded  to  cite  Mr.  Dana  and  the  church  to 
appear,  and  answer  to  the  complaint.  Bat  they  would  not. 
appear.  The  minor  part  conceived  that  they  had  received 
hard  treatment  from  the  majority,  and  as  they  would  not 
consent  to  their  proposal,  they  declined  the  reception  ot 
any  proposals  from  the  church,  unless  they  would  subml* 
lo  the  council. 

*  Mr.  i;ells'  Narrative,  p.  38,  39. 


rCHAr,  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


499 


As  no  iDodeof,accomQiodation  could  be,  at  this  time,  Book  II. 
conceded  to,  the  council  judged  ii  expedient  to  appoint  a  s-^-v/-^ 
^omniitiee  of  the  elders  and  messengers,  and  to  vest  thnu    n^fi. 
with  power  to  receive  proposals  from  the  parties,  and  to  at- 
tempt, if  possible,  an  amicable  accommodation,  and  ad- 
iourned  until  the  l^st  Tuesday  of  the  theq  instant  Novem- 
ber. 

The  council  met  on  the  28th  of  November,  according  to 
adjournment.  The  council  was  now,  generally,  together. 
Some  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  council  had  received  letters 
from  men  of  character,  relative  to  the  controversy  at  Wal- 
Ungford.  U  was  the  desire  of  a  number  of  the  coumul, 
who  had  seen  those  letters,  that  they  might  be  rend  in 
council,  as  one  from  Mr.  Ruggles  to  Mr.  Trumbull  had 
been,  at  the  desire  of  some  of  the  ordination  council.  They 
were  read,  while  the  names  of  the  writers  were  concealed : 
this  appeared  to  give  offence  to  some  of  the  gentlemen  of 
the  oiidination  -council,  and  they  soon  after  left  the  conso- 
ciation. All  proposals  of  accommodation,  made  by  the 
council,  were  rejected;  neither  Mr.  Dana,  nor  the  church, 
would  treat  with  them  as  a  consociation,  but  only  as  nciglj^- 
bours  and  private  gendemen. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Russell  manifested  a  great  concern  for 
the  peace  and  union  of  the  church  and  society  in  Walling^ 
ford,  and  to  effect  an  accommodation  of  the  difficulties 
which  had  arisen  there ;  and  urged  some  of  the  gentlemen 
of  the  ordination  council  to  advise  Mr.  Dana,  and  use  their 
influence  with  him,  to  comply  with  the  proposal  of  his  ex- 
amination, as  this,  if  he  should  approve  himself  to  the  coun- 
cil, would  win  a  third  part  of  the  parish  to  be  his  friends, 
and  would,  at  once,  heal  all  their  difficulties.  At  the  same  ^ 
time,  his  refusal  would  fix  them  in  their  opposition.  But 
those  gentlemen,  instead  of  advising  him  to  submit  to  an 
examination,  advised  him  to  draw  up  a  confession  of  faith, 
and  present  it  to  the  council.  He  accordingly  presented 
a  confession,  and  it  was  read,  agreeably  to  his  desire ;  but 
as  some  words  were  of  doubtful  meaning,  and  Mr.  Dana 
would  not  be  questioned  as  to  his  meaning,  the  council  did 
not  receive  it  as  satisfactory.*    |Mr.  Russell,  and  th?  rest 

*  CoNFBSSiov. — *^  I  believe  there  U  one  oply  living  and  true  Gop :  That 
the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  are  the  word  of  Goo :  That 
the  scriptures  teach  the  dpctrine  of  the  J'rinity.  Accordingly,  upon  the  au- 
thority pf  the  scripture,  I  believe  th^t  the  Father  is  Goo  ;  that  tlie  Son, 
pven  J^sva  Christ,  is  God;  &iu1  that  the  Holt  Ghost  is  God  ;  and 
tliat  these  three  are  one-:  and  that  all  (uen  should  honour  the  Son,  even  as 
tltey  honour  the  FaUier.  I  believe  that,  by  the  apostacy  of  jidam,  the 
whole  world  are  become  guilty  before  Goo,  and  that  mankind  is  univer- 
i^Wy  corrupted  and  depraved.  I  believe  that  Gop,  who  is  the  sovereign 
of  the  world,  purposed,  (com  everlastioe;,  in  his  unerring  wisdom  and  infinite 


socf 


HfStdRY  OF 


enAP.  XXV, 


Book  II.  of  the  courtcil,  were  much  affected  with  what  they  esteemed 
v^'v"^/  the  obstinncy  of  Mr.  Dana,  and  the  church,  that  they  would 
1758.  not  comply  with  what  they  imagined  the  most  rcJisonable 
terms  of  accommodation.  The  council,  convinced  that  all 
attempts  for  an  amicable  accommodation,  were  in  vain, 
came  to  the  following  result,  viz : — "  At  an  ecclesiastical 
council,  consistingof  the  consociation  of  New-Haven  coun- 
ty, called  and  convened  according  to  the  constitution,  Oc- 
tober 31st,  1758,  at  the  house  of  Charles  Sperry,  in  Wal- 
lingford,  first  society  ;  to  hear  and  determine  certain  arti- 
cles of  complaint  against  the  Rev.  Mr.  James  Dana,  and 
the  first  church  in  Wallingford,  dated  in  saidWallingford, 
Sept.  25th,  signed  by  Caleb  Merriman,  Esq.  and  others, 
members  of  said  church,  in  i  ogard  to  the  principles  of 
said  Mr.  Dana,  and  the  proceeciings  of  said  church,  in 
calling  him  to  settle  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry 
among  them,  originally  exhibited  to  the  consociation  of  the 
county  of  New-Haven,  which  met  on  the  10th  instant,  at 
the  housfe  of  Caleb  Merriman,  Esq.  in  saidWallingford; 
and  also  to  determine,  in  regard  to  the  conduct  of  Mr.  Da- 
ra,  in  submitting  to  be  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  first 
church  in  Wallingford ;  and  their  promoting  said  ordina- 
tion, and  receiving  him  as  their  pastor  on  the  12th  instant, 
contrary  to  a  riesoTve  of  the  consociation  of  New-Haven 
county;  which  difficulties,  being  great  in  thfeir  nature, 
and  of  general  concern,  were  referred  by  said  consociation 
to  th6  decision  of  the  present  council  : 
"  The  council  was  opened  with  prayer  : 
"  Th"  Rev.  Mr.  Dana,  and  the  first  church  in  Walling- 
ford, having  been  regularly  notified,  appeared  ;  but  denied 
the  regularity  antl  jurisdiction  of  the  consociation  of  New- 
Haven  county,  convened  at  the  house  of  Caleb  Merriman, 
Esq.  in  Wallingford,  on  the  lOlh  inst.  and  also  of  the  pres- 
ent council.    Their  pleas  against  irregularity,  having  been 

j^oodnesA,  to  call  and  savtt  some  of  t!ie  apostate  race  of  inan :  That  he 
appointed  his  own  Son.  the  Lono  j£B?s  Christ,  to  undertake  and  ac- 
complish this  great  work  :  That  for  this  end,  he  became  man,  and  died 
upon  the  cross^  a  propitiatory  sacrifice  for  the  sios  of  those  that  should  be- 
lieve in  him  :  That  the  condition  of  justification  and  acceptance  with  God, 
according  to  the  gospel,  it  true  faith  in  Christ,  which  will  produce  gootl 
works  ;  and  that  there  are  no  works  truly  good,  but  what  |3roceed  from 
a  principle  of  faith  :  That  they  who  ar6  brought  iiitb  a  state  of  favour  with 
Gon,  are,  and  must  be  botn  agtiin,  by  the  renewing  and  sanctifying  influ- 
ences of  tlie  Spirit  of  God  ;  and  that  none  of  the  fnuiT  islect  will  fall 
s^hort  of  final  salvation ;  but  that  where  Gob  has  begiin  a  good  work,  be 
will  carry  it  on  to  the  day  of  Christ.  I  believe  that  the  grace  of  Gon  is 
free  and  sovereign  in  calling,  justifying,  and  sanctifying  auy  of  the  siiiAil 
children  of  men.  I  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  the  general 
judgment,  and  a  future  state  of  elemal  rc/tribution."  M-.  Todd's  Narn^- 
livcj  p.  To. 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


501 


M 


heard,  and  deliberately  considered,  were  overruled.  The  Book  U. 
council  l>eing  desirous  to  use  the  most  healing  methods,  v^-v^^^ 
then  sent  a  commiitee  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dana,  and  church,  1758. 
and  aggrieved  brethren,  to  endeavor  some  methods  of  re- 
conciliation. This  proving  inetfertual  to  reach  the  good 
end  proposed,  it  was  resolved,  after  having  duly  weighed 
the  pleas  made  on  each  side,  that  this  council  has  a  right 
to  hear  and  determine  the  complaints  exhibited  against  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Dana,  and  the  first  church  of  Christ  in  Walling- 
ford,  of  which  they  were  informed  ;  but  refusing  to  ap- 
pear, the  council  thought  proper,  anew,  to  cite  Mr.  Dana 
and  the  churches  committee,  to  appear  and  answer  the  com- 
plaint against  them.  After  this,  Mr.  Dana  signified  to  vrn 
in  writing,  that  he  had  denied  our  jurisdiction,  and  should 
make  no  farther  appearance.  Being  still  earnestly  desir- 
ous of  an  accommodation,  we  appointed  some  Rev.  elders 
and  messengers,  to  treat  with  Mr.  Dana,  and  the  church 
and  the  aggrieved  brethren  separately,  to  heal  their  unhap- 
py difficulties,  which  proved  ineffectual.  The  council  ad- 
journed to  the  last  Tuesday  of  November  next,  to  meet  at 
1 1  o'clock,  in  the  forenoon,  at  the  house  of  Charles  Sperry, 
in  Wallingford  first  society.  Nov.  28,  the  council  met  ac- 
cording to  adjournment,  and  proceeded  to  the  following  re- 

"  It  appears  to  this  council,  that  the  ordination  of  Mr* 
Dana  was  carried  on  contrary  to  the  judgment  and  ex- 
press prohibition  of  a  regular  council  of  the  consociated 
churches  of  New-Haven  county,  convened  according  to  the 
ecclesiastical  constitution  of  the  churches  in  this  colony  ; 
and  whilst  a  complaint  against  Mr.  Dana,  for  heterodoxy 
in  principles,  lay  regularly  before  said  council ;  and  Mr. 
Dana  had  been  guilty  of  scandalous  contempt,  in  refusing 
to  make  answer  thereunto,  before  said  council :  Therefore 
we  judge,  that  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Dana  was  contrary  to 
the  word  of  God,  and  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  ol  the 
rhurches  in  this  colony :  And  said  Mr.  Dana,  since  such 
liis  ordination,  having  refused  to  answer  to  said  articles  of 
complaint  before  this  united  council,  we  judge  him  guilty 
of  scandalous  contempt,  and  that  he  cannot  be  acknowl- 
edged and  received  as  a  regular  minister  of  Christ,  or 
preacher  of  the  gospel,  by  these  churches  ;  and  therefore, 
we  judge,  that  the  pastoral  relation  of  the  said  Mr.  Dana, 
to  the  first  church  in  Wallingford,  ought  to  be  dissolved, 
and  it  is  hereby  dissolved ;  and  said  Mr.  Dana  is  hereby 
dismissed  from  said  church.  And  whereas,  the  greater 
part  of  the  first  church  in  Wallingford  have  promoted  the 
ordination  of  the  said  Mr.  D^net  and  received  him  as  their 


1^' 

i 

•i: 


"i  ) 


iiiri 


602 


HISTORY  OF 


Cmap,  XXV . 


1758. 


Book  II.  pnstor  under  these  circtimstances  ;  and  chose  Samuel  Hall, 
Esq.  and  others,  a  cominittee,  with  instructions  to  appcar 
before  this  council  and  deny  their  jurisdiction;  and  th« 
iiaid  committee  appeared  before  this  council,  and  in  the 
name  of  said  church,  denied  their  jurisdiction,  and  refused 
to  submit  to  their  determinations  :  With  respect  to  Samu- 
el Hail,  Esq.  and  the  rest  of  said  committee,  they  and  all 
^c  other  members  of  said  church,  who  acted  in  choosing 
said  committee,  and  giving  the  instructions  aforesaid,  iu 
case  they  continue  to  adhere  to  the  said  Mr.  Dana,  until 
the  third  Tuesday  of  March  next,  shall  be  adjudged  guilty 
of  scandalous  contempt,  and  the  sentence  of  non-couimuD- 
ion  declared  against  them.  And  further,  unless  the  said 
Mr.  Dana  shall,  between  this  present  time  and  the  third 
Tuesday  of  March  next,  submit  himself  to  this  council  and 
their  determinations,  the  sentence  of  non-communion  shall 
}ie  declared  against  him.    Voted  in  council, 

"  Test,     Edward  Eells,        )  Scribes  of  the 
"  Warham  Williams,  5         council. 

"  The  council  thei)  adjourned  until  the  third  Tuesday  of 
^arch  next,  then  to  meet  at  Wallingford,  at  the  house  of 
Charles  Sperry :  and  if  the  moderator  should  judge  it  ex- 
pedient,  he  might  call  the  council  to  meet  at  Wallingford, 
at  any  lime,  between  the  time  of  adjournment  and  the 
aforesaid  third  Tuesday  in  March  next. 

**  The  council  met  according  to  adjournment,  at  the 
house  of  Charles  Sperry,  in  Wallingford  first  society,  March 
20th,  1769,  and  came  to  the  following  resolution  : 

"  It  being  so  ordered  by  divine  providence,  that  this 
council  is  not  so  full  as  might  be  desired  in  affairs  of  so 
great  importance,  we  think  it  expedient  to  defer  the  sen- 
tence of  non-communion  against  Mr.  Dana  and  Samuel 
Hall,  Esq.  and  others,  Avho  have  not  coooplied  with  the  de- 
termination of  this  council,  unto  our  next  meeting :  And 
also,  on  account  of  some  other  important  affairs  to  be  trans- 
acted, to  adjourn  :  and  this  coun9ii  is  hereby  adjourned 
nnto  the  first  Tuesday  in  April  next,  at  eleven  o'clock 
forenoon,  (but  in  case  the  public  fast  is  on  that  week,  to 
the  second  Tuesday  of  April,  at  eleven  o'clock  forenoon) 
at  the  house  of  Charles  Sperry,  in  Wallingford  first  socie- 
ty."        '      ^ 

This  council  met,  according  to  adjournment,  at  the  house 
of  Charles  Spcny,  in  Wallingford,  first  society,  April  3d, 
1 759,  and  proceeded  as  follows  : 

"  Whereas,  this  united  council  have  judged  Mr.  James 
Dana  guilty  of  scandalous  contempt,  as  expressed  in  our 
result ;  and  have  used  proper  measures,  in  order  to  bring 


1759. 


CriAP.XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


303 


m 


James 

in  our 

a  bring 


him  to  a  sense  of  his  sinful  conduct,  and  elercisdd  due  Book  II. 
jiatience,  he  continuing  obstinate :    we  do  therefore,  ac-  \.^->y^%^ 
cording  to  that  divine  direction,  2  Thes.  iii.  6,  and  ac-    1759. 
cording  to  the  rules  of  our  ecclesiastical  constitution,  de- 
clare him  to  be  unworthy  of  the  communion  of  churches ; 
and  that  henceforth  we  will  not  hold  communion  with  him, 
in  any  acts  of  ecclesiastical  discipline,  or  special  ordinan- 
ces :  and  according  to  our  ecclesiastical  constitution,  the 
churches  are  to  approve  this  sentence, by  withdrawing  com- 
munion from  him,  which  we  advise,  and  expect  according- 
ly." 

"  Voted  in  council. 
"  Whereas,  the  greater  part  of  the  first  church  of  Chrfst 
in  Wallingford,  have  promoted  the  ordination  of  Mr.  James 
Dana,  and  received  him  as  their  pastor,  contrary  to  the 
prohibition  of  the  consociation  of  New-Haven  county, 
while  a  charge  of  heterodoxy  regularly  lay  against  him, 
before  said  consociation ;  and   chose  Samuel  Hall,  Esq. 
and  others,  a  committee,  with  instructions  to  appear  before 
this  council,  and  in  the  name  of  said  church,  to  deny  their 
jurisdiction,  and  refuse  to  submit  to  their  determination : 
and  whereas,  this  council  (as  appears  in  our  result,  in  the 
session,  Nov.  28thjlast)  havejudged,  with  respect  to  Sam- 
\iel  Hall,  Esq.  and  the  rest  of  said  committee,  and  all  the 
other  members  of  said  church,  who  acted  in  choosing  the 
said  committee,  and  giving  the  instructions  aforesaid,  that, 
in  case  they  continue  to  adhere  to  the  said  Mr.  Dana,  and 
acknowledge  him  as  their  pastor,  until  the  third  Tuesday 
of  March  next,  they  shall  be  judged  guilty  of  scandalous 
contempt,  and  the  sentence  of  non-communion  declared 
against  them :  And  whereas,  the  above  mentioned  Samuel 
Hall,  Esq.  &c.  have,  notwithstanding,  continued  to  adhere 
to  the  said  Mr.  James  Dana,  and  acknowledged  him  as 
their  pastor;    we  judge  said  Samuel  Hall,  Esq.  and  the 
rest  of  the  committee,  and  all  the  members  who  acted  in 
choosing  said  committee,  and  giving  the  instructions  afore- 
isaid,  guilty  of  scandalous  contempt ;  and  proper  measures 
iiaving  been  taken  to  bring  them  to  a  sense  of  their  sinful 
conduct,  and  due  patience  used,  they  still  continuing  obsti- 
nate :  we  do  now,  according  to  that  divine  direction,  2 
Thessalonians,  iii.  6,  and  the  rules  of  our  ecclesiastical  con- 
stitution, declare  them  to  be  unworthy  of  the  communion  of 
churches  ;  and  that,  henceforth,  we  will  not  hold  commun- 
ion with  them,  in  any  acts  of  ecclesiastical  discipline,  or 
special  ordinances ;  and  according  to  the  rules  of  our  ec- 
clesiastical constitution,  the  churches  are  to  approve  this 
sentence,  by  withdrawing  communion  from  them ;  which 
we  advise,  and  expect  accordingly. 


iOI 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXV. 


Book  IF.  ••  And  while  we  declare  those  members  who  adhere  to 
N^-N^-^/ Mr.  Dana,  and  arc  now  under  sentence  of  non-coramuii- 
1 759.  ion,  to  have  fallen  off  from  our  ecclesiastical  constitution  : 
we  acknowledge  the  remaining  members  as  the  consoci- 
ated  church  in  the  first  society  in  Wallingford,  and  are  de- 
termined to  treat  them  accordingly. 
"  Voted  in  council. 
"  This  council  do  appoint  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Jonathnti 
Merrick,  John  Trumbull,  Mark  Leavenworth,  and  Benja- 
min Woodbridge,  messengers  ;  deacons  Ithiel  Russoll, 
Jonathan  Guernsey,  Mr.  Stcfjhen  Hopkins,  and  deacon 
Theophilus  Baldwm,  a  committee  of  this  council,  to  stand 
in  that  capacity  for  the  space  of  four  months  from  this  dat", 
to  whom  any,  or  all  the  members  of  the  first  church  in 
Wallingford,  now  under  the  sentence  of  non-communion, 
may  apply  ;  and  upon  their  manifesting  repentance,  they 
are  empowered,  in  the  name  of  this  council,  to  take  ofi'ihc 
Rcntencethey  are  under,  and  restore  them  to  the  privileges 
of  the  consociated  churches  :  and  if  any  member  shall  ne- 
glect to  apply  to  the  committee  aforesaid,  within  four 
months,  they  may  afterwards  apply  (if  they  desire  it)  to  the 
moderator  of  the  consociation  of  New-Haven  county,  to 
call  the  consociation  of  said  county,  for  the  purpose  afore- 
said." 

A  complaint  being  exhibited  to  this  council,  dated  March 
22,  1759,  by  several  members  of  the  first  church  of  Christ 
in  Wallingford,  against  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Joseph  Noyes, 
Isaac  Stiles,  Theophilus  Hall,  Samuel  Whittelsey,  Jona- 
than Todd  and  Chauncey  Whittelsey,  elders,  and  Robert 
^Trcat,  Nathaniel  Ruggles,  Thomas  Darling  and  Ezekicl 
Royce,  messengers,  and  members  of  the  consociation  of 
New-Haven  county,  for  breaking  off  from  said  consocia- 
tion, and  aiding  and  assisting  in '  the  ordination  of  Mr. 
James  Dana,  &c.  ;  the  persons  com[)lained  of  were 
properly  notified.  Several  of  them  appeared  personally, 
and  others,  by  letters,  denying  our  jurisdiction,  &c.  The 
council  not  thinking  it  proper  to  act  upon  the  abovesaid 
complaint,  the  complainers  withdrew  it.  This  council 
having  already,  in  our  result,  condemned  the  ordination  of 
Mr.  Dana,  as  contrary  to  the  word  of  God,  and  the  ecclesi- 
astical constitution  of  the  churches  in  this  colony,  have 
therein  condemned  the  ordination  council,  or  those  who 
were  active  therein  :  We  think  it  our  duty  more  explicitly 
to  declare  our  judgment  relating  to  them,  which  is,  that 
they  have  so  violated  the  good  rules  of  our  ecclesiastical 
constitution,  that  they  ought  to  be  treated  as  disorderly 
persons,  and  not  fit  to  sit  in  any  of  our  ecclesiastical  coun- 


Chap.  XXV. 


COxXNECTICUT. 


50j 


cils,  until  they  shall  clear  up  their  conduct,  to  the  satisfac-  Book  If. 
lion  of  the  consociation  of  New-Haven  county,  for  their  v,^~v^^r/ 
disorderly  breaking  oil'  from  them,  and  aiding  and  assisting    1759. 
in  Mr.  Dana's  ordination.     And  we  advise  the  moderator 
of  said  consociation,  to  call  the  consociation,  upon  applica- 
tion made  to  him  by  said  gentlemen." 
Voted  in  council. 

Test.       Edward  Erlls,        )  Scribes  of  the 
Warham  Williams,  ^      council. 

Though  this  council  was  composed  of  some  of  the  most  Dispute  re- 
respectable  gentlemen  of  the  clergy  and  churches  in  the  '»^'*'"  ^^ 
colony,  for  literature,  age,  and  candour;  and  though  <hey  ^,'.^j„1|"''Jj 
took  great  pains  to  compromise  the  difficulties  at  Walling-  Wniiing- 
ford,  and  appeared  to  act  with  coolness  and  patience,  yet  '«'"tJ. 
their  doings  were  cried  out  against  by  the  gentlemen  of  the 
ordination  council,  and  others  who  engaged  in  their  cause, 
as  unconstitutional  and  tyrannical,  depriving  the  churches 
of  their  most  essential  rights.  Many  hard  and  severe  things 
were  said  of  them.     The  R.ev.  Mr.  Todd,  who  was  one  of 
the  ordination  council,  wrote  a  narrative  of  the  transactions 
at  Wallingford,  even  before  the  united  council  had  finished 
their  result.     The  Rev.  Mr.  Hart,  of  Saybrook,  wrote 
against  it  immediately.     He  wrote  in  a  high  and  positive 
strain,  condemning  the  council,  and  insisting  that  their  do- 
ings were  wholly  unconstitutional,  and  inconsistent  with 
the  essential  rights  of  the  churches. 

The  writers  on  this  side  of  the  question,  who  began  the 
controversy,  insisted,  That  the  consociation  could  not 
have  jurisdiction  of  the  affairs  of  any  particular  church, 
without  her  consent :  That  the  church  itself  had  the  sole 
right  of  determining  whether  the  difficulties  arising  in 
thena,  were  of  such  a  nature  as  could  not  be  issued  without 
much  disquiet  or  not ;  and  that  they  must  desire  the  as- 
sistance of  the  consociation,  or,  at  least,  consent  to  their 
hearing  and  judging  in  the  case,  or  they  could  claim  no  ju- 
risdiction with  respect  to  it.  They  insisted,  that  to  con- 
strue the  seventh  article  of  discipline  in  such  a  sense,  as 
to  allow  an  aggrieved  minister,  or  aggrieved  members  of  a 
church,  to  apply  to  the  consociation,  was  contradictory  to 
the  first  article,  which  secured  to  the  elder  or  elders  of  a 
particular  church,  with  the  consent  of  the  brethren  of  the 
same,  a  right  to  exercise  discipline,  according  to  the  rules 
of  God^s  word,  in  relation  to  all  scandals  which  should  fall 
out  within  the  same.  They  pretended,  that  this  article  was 
expLined  by  the  subsequent,  or  eighth  article,  which  did 
not  allow  an  offending  brother  to  call  the  consociation,  un- 


less the  church  gavr 


hor  consent,  until  after  she  had  pro- 
0  3 


.'jOC 


niSTORY  OF 


Cflw.  XXV 


Hook  II.  crr'.lcd  lo  his  txcommiiniraiion.  They  would  allow  of  no 
v,^--,^^^,/ (lifl'eroMCc,  in  this  rasr,  between  an  aggrieved  minister  or 
1759.  brother,  afid  an  ofFeiuJing  brother.*  Says  Mr.  Hart,  "  ||. 
Mr.  Hiiri'M  ^'^^''y  ^'^^^  of  this  article  then,  (that  is  the  Vllth,)  it  is  far 
rt.'isonini?  from  justifying  the  meml)ers  of  Wallingford  church,  in  ap- 
011  the  sub- plying  to  (he  consociation,  as  they  did,  with  their  com 
^^^  '  j)laint.s,   or  the  consociation   in  pretending  to  take  cogr>i 

zance  of  them,  witiiout  the  churches  consent.  The  cases 
they  judged  of,  were  not  of  that  kind  of  ditliculties  intend 
ed  in  the  ariicie  ;  but  if  tlK>y  had  been  such,  in  that  case, 
the  complainants  could  have  had  no  right  to  apply  to  the 
consociation,  for  judgment  upon  them,  without  the  consent 
of  die  church."  He  asserted,  "  That  the  church  and  so- 
ciety had  determined  Mr.  Dana's  qualifications  for  the  pas- 
toral office  in  that  church,  and  that  the  case  was  issued  in 
the  church  Dcfore  the  complainants  applied  to  the  conso- 
ciation ;  and  diis  determination  (he  says)  by  our  civil  and 
ecclesiastical  law  must  be  decisive,  and  govern  the  dissent- 
ing members,  unless  they  could  shew  an  error  rn  the 
churches  judgment,  and  that  they  have  chosen  a  man  for 
their  pastor,  disqualified,  according  to  the  word  of  God, 
and  our  ecclesiastical  constitution,  for  that  office.  As 
they  thought  so,  and  had  objections  of  heretical  doctrines 
against  him,  their  appeal  from  the  churches  judgment,  by 
our  constitution,  and  according  to  the  universal  practice 
of  these  churches,  was,  not  to  the  consociation,  but  to  the 
council  chosen  by  the  church,  to  manage  the  affair  of  the 
ordination  ;  and  whose  judgment  of  the  candidate's  fitness 
for  his  office,  is  decisive  and  final.t  And  the  bringing  such 
difficulties  to  this  council,  is  the  only  probable  method  of 
issuing  them  without  great  disquiet  to  the  churches  in 
which  they  arise.  And  if  the  consociation,  instead  of  in- 
termeddling with  that  which  did  not  belong  to  them,  had 
dismissed  the  complainants,  with  directions  to  carry  their 
complaints  against  Mr.  Dana  to  the  ordination  council,  as 
the  only  proper  judges  of  them,  I  believe  that  church  ami 
society  would  have  been  in  peace.  But  for  the  consocia- 
tion, in  such  a  case,  to  receive  the  complaints  of  a  few  dis- 
satisfied mcmbets  against  the  churches  pastor  elect,  and 
force  themselves  upon  the  churcii  and  candidate,  as  judges 
of  the  case,  in  contempt  of  the  churches  right,  in  electing 
both  her  pastor  and  the  council  that  are  to  be  the  final 
judges  of  his  qualifications  for  his  office,  and  in  contempt 
of  the  ordination  council  then  sitting  ;  and  for  them  to  pre- 
tend to  bar  the  ordination  till  their  claim  of  authority  to 

*■  See  Mr.  Todd's  narrative,  and  Mr.  Hart*s  vindication  of  the  opdinii' 
tion  at  Wallingl'ord,  p.  14,  15,  16.  t  p.  17,  18. 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONiNECTICLT. 


."507 


take  coenizancc  of  the  case  is  acknowlrdgcd  ;  this  i.s  ihr  Book  II. 
most  unlikely  method  in  the  world  to  prevent  great  discjiii-  v,^-^y-^^ 
ets  in  the  church,  in  issuing  such  dilliculties  among  them.  I7.j!). 
The  art  of  man,  I  believe,  cantjot  devise  a  more  j)rohabh', 
a  more  effectual  way  to  throw  a  church  into  the  greatest 
confusion  and  incurable  contentions.  ButtheVIIth  arti- 
cle recommends  the  cairying  ofdiificuit  cases  to  the  conso- 
ciation, by  way  of  prevention  of  the  discjuiets  that  are  like- 
ly to  arise  from  otiier  methods  of  issuing  them.  This  kin<l 
of  difficulties,  therefore,  cannot  possibly  be  comprehended 
in  this  article.  The  frainers  of  it  cannot  be  imagined  to 
have  been  such  dunces  as  to  have  recommended  this  to  the 
churches  as  a  likely  method  of  issuing  such  difficulties, 
without  great  disquiet  to  the  churches  in  which  they  arise, 
namely,  that  any  member  of  a  vacant  church,  who  is  ag- 
grieved with  the  choice  the  soci(  ty  and  church  have  made 
of  a  person  for  their  pastor,  shall  have  a  right,  without  the 
consent,  and  contrary  to  the  mind  of  the  church,  to  call  in 
the  consociation  to  sit  in  judgment  on  the  candidate,  in  re- 
lation to  any  complaints  of  scandal  or  heresy  he  is  pleas- 
ed to  bring  against  him  ;  and  this  loo  after  the  church  has 
nominated  their  ordination  council.  Doubtless,  it  never 
came  into  their  thoughts,  thatany  of  their  successors  would 
understand  this  article  in  this  sense. 

"  I  fear,  sir,  you  will  think  I  have  been  to  long  on  this 
article  :  but  the  present  disputes  about  its  sense,  and  the 
great  stress  which  is  laid  upon  it,  in  the  justification  of  the 
consociation's  claim  of  jurisdiction  in  the  Wallingford  cas- 
es, rendered  it  necessary  to  examine  it  critically."*  He 
observes  further,  "  that  by  our  ecclesiastical  constitution, 
our  consociations  have  right  of  jurisdiction  only  of  such 
ecclesiastical  or  spiritual  causes  as  are  of  a  criminal  na- 
ture ;  only  in  cases  of  heresy  or  scandal :  that  they  have 
no  stated  times  of  sitting :  that  they  have  no  power  of  con- 
vening themselves,  undesired  by  those  who,  by  our  consti^ 
tution,  have  a  right  to  call  them  into  business,  nor  of  tak- 
ing any  case  whatever  under  their  cognizance,  ex  officio, 
but  such  only  as  are  brought  before  them  by  proper  per- 
sons, authorised  by  the  constitution,  or  our  ecclesiastical 
law,  for  that  purpose."!  He  declares  that  the  presen' 
contest  between  the  united  consociation  and  the  church  at 
Wallingford  is  the  most  important  controversy  that  ever 
was  managed  in  these  churches,  "  'Tis  a  strife  of  power 
in  the  hands  of  the  consociation,  destructive  of  the  most 
important  rights  of  particular  churches."!  He  insinuates 
Uiat  the  council  acted  under  the  influence  of  a  party  zeal 
*  Page  18.       t  Page  20.       |  Page  43. 


■m 


f 
I' 

n 


.  .1 II 


m 


in   ' 


)0C 


HISTORY  OF 


(•imp.  XXV. 


PooK  II.  for  orllifxli 
lust  of 


.1 


)xy.   iUHl   nnirn;»trf|  l>y 
nrrriiiitifiicc  iitid  poucr." 


a  lovr  «»f  fli'Jittin;^.  .'iti>l 
I  If  rpp^f.•^^Il^s  tli*-  iml;;- 
17>U.  inriii  of  thr  <(»unril,  not  only  as  ijnfonslitution;»l,  >>iii  liii^li- 
ly  ridit  iiloiis  ;  atiil  he  drrlar'-s,  tli;it  tlir  rrasf»ti  of  his  iin- 
Jrrt.'ikitig  in  this  contiovrrsy  w,\<<,  ih.it  "  ihr  ri^hfs  -.umI 
liberties  of  all  ourcoiisocintrd  rlmrc  ii'-s  wcrf  at  stake  ;  ari'l 
ihat  it  was  cirarly  the  duty  of  ihoir  niitiistfiN  to  nndrr- 
lako  their  defence,  when  they  were  invad«>(l  l>y  any  of 
their  own  order,  or  when  our  associations  or  consoeiati<»iis 
go  into  measures,  under  pretence  of  (onstitutif)nal  power 
and  authority,  directly  tending  to  destroy  the  balance  be- 
tween power  and  liberty,  to  turn  consociational  power  into 
tyranny,  and  introduce  slavery  into  the  place  of  liberty. "t 
Thus  Avrote  Mr.  Hart. 

This  was  the  cry,  that  the  liberty  of  the  churches  was 
in  danger  ;  that  the  consociation  at  Wallin^ford  were  ty- 
rants, influenced  by  a  lust  for  [)Ower,  anu  some  of  the 
"»vorst  motives,  and  had  ])uta  new  and  unreasonable  con- 
struction upon  the  Saybrook  agreement.  Every  method 
was  taken  to  alarm  and  prejudice  the  churches,  and  throw 
odium  upon  the  united  council.  They  were  conscious  of 
none  of  those  imputations  put  upon  them.  They  consid-- 
crcd  the  construction  put  upon  the  constitution  as  j>er- 
fectly  absurd,  inconsistent  with  the  law  of  the  colony  ap- 

})ointing  the  meeting  of  the  elders  and  messengers  at  Say- 
)rook,  the  object  of  Avhich  apjmintment,  as  expressed  by 
the  act,  appears  to  have  been  to  amend  the  defects  which 
the  legislature  had  been  made  sensible  of,  both  fro;.T  their 
own  observation,  and  by  the  complaints  of  others,  by  a 
more  explicit  asserting  of  the  rules  given  for  that  end  in 
the  holy  scriptures  4  and  with  the  express  articles  and 
main  design  of  the  constitution,  which  was  to  fix  the  limits 
of  neighboring  elders  and  churches,  to  bring  them  into  a 
more  intimate  union  with  one  another,  and  provide  them 
fixed  judges,  and  more  explicit  rules  of  judging  according 
to  the  scriptures.  Agreeably  to  this  general  design,  the 
council  knew  that  the  Hid  article  of  discipline  provided 
that  all  cases  of  scandal  which  should  fall  out  within  the 
circuit  of  the  aforesaid  consociations,  should  be  b»  ought  to 
a  council  of  the  elders,  and  also  messengers  of  the  church- 
es within  the  said  circuit,  i.  e.  the  churches  of  one  conso- 
ciation :  That  the  VHth  article  made  express  provision, 
that  an  aggrieved  minister  or  member,  should  apply  to  the 
council  of  the  consociated  churches  of  the  circuit,  to  which 
the  said  church  belongs :  and  that  the  subsequent,  or  VIHth 
article,  was  so  far  from  explaining  it  away,  that  it  corrobo- 
^  Page  37-    t  Page  45.    if  gee  the  law  in  voJ(.  i.  of  this  Hist.  chap,  six . 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


^O'J 


latnl  it,  liy  snyinj,   there   is  tint  the  $nmr   lihrrttf  to  an  nf-  WonK  If. 
fniHiui^  hrulfifr,  which   is   doiibtU'ss   hrrc   opposed  to  ihr  s^rv^^z 
iigi^ricvcd  hroUnr,  and  disiinmiishcs  one  from  the  oUht.    nbO, 
'J'hry  couM  not  ( 6ncrivc  that  an  ajj^ricvkd  pastor  or  hroih- 
rrcoidd  be  considcrrdas  one  aritl  the  siitne,  with  an  oHV-nd- 
ing  onp  ;  and  thai  thov  shoidd  have  no  redress  in  any  case, 
l)Ui  be  h^ft  wholly  in  the  power  of  the  churrh,  toal)iisc,  and 
tyrannize  over  them,  let  their  prejiidires,  passions,  and  in- 
justice be  ever  so  great.     This  wouUI  be  to  put  iheni  in  a 
I'ar  worse  sittjation  than  civilians  arc  in  matters  of  far  less 
moment.     If  they  arc  injured  by  error  ifi  judgment,  or  l>y 
illegal  prosecutions,  they  have  redress  by  appeals  or  peti- 
tions.    To  suppose  that  the  constitution  made  no  provis- 
ion for  the  aggrieved,  who  might  be  greatly  injured  and  op- 
pressed,  would   be  to  view  il  as  making  no  provision 
against  one  of  the  great  defects  which  it  was  designed  to 
remedy.     The  united  council  consideren  the  construction 

fut  upon  the  constitution  by  the  ordaining  council,  and  Mr. 
(art,  as  one  wholly  unfounded,  and  calculated  merely  to 
serve  a  turn. 

With  respect  to  an  ordination  council,  or  any  other  ec- 
clesiastical council,  distinct  from  the  consociation,  it  was 
considered  as  having  no  warrant  by  the  constitution,  and  a 
mere  creature  of  the  imagination.    There  was  not  sumuch 
as  an  intimation  of  it  in  the  constitution.     They  imagined 
that  it  was  so  far  from  this,  that  it  fully  excluded  all  other 
councils  with  respect  to  any  thing  ecclesiastical.      The 
second  article  is  in  these  words  :  "  that  tho  churches  which 
are  neighboring  to  each  other,  shall  consociatc  for  mutual- 
ly aflfording  to  each  other  such  assistance  as  may  be  requi- 
site, upon  all  occasions  ecclesiastical."     This,  they  were 
persuaded,  included  ordination,  as  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant ecclesiastical  occasions.     They  had  proceeded  slow- 
ly, with  the  utmost  deliberation ;  they  had  employed  all 
their  wisdom,  and  all  proper  means,  in  their  opinion,  to 
preserve  the  church  and  society  from  a  division :  they  us- 
ed their  influence  with  the  minor  party  to  bring  them  to 
submit  the  whole  affair,  and  unite  with  their  brethren,  in 
the  setdement  and  support  of  Mr.  Dana,  upon  this  single 
condition,  that  iic  should  prove  himself  orthodox  upon  his 
examination ;   and  they  used  all  their  influence  with  the 
ordination  council,  to  persuade  Mr.  Dana  to  concede  to 
the  proposal  ;  but  they  would  not  advise  him  to  do  it,  nor 
woul  "  'le  comply  with  it,  nor  suffer  himself  to  be  question- 
ed by  them.     The  council,  therefore,  considered   them- 
selves as  greatly  injured  and  abused.     As  the  ordination 
council  had  told  their  own  story,  and,  with  Mr.  liart,  had 


Alo 


HlxlOKV  OF 


^■»i\r.  XXV. 


UooK  II.  souiuird    tli(;  ul.iri 


rA  tli(;  al.iiin,  ;iii<i  ^liLviuii^ly  i'('[iriKi(  hfd  tlirm,  i» 
was    lud^ccl  exp<;(li(>tit  to  takr  up  tin:  |m.-ii,  iiiul  viiidicaip 


riirht)  of 
f<Mii;ri'ga 
tiorial 
cliurchc!!. 


llicii'  (joints  Itd'orc  (ho  |iiii»li(:  tnliiiiial. 

Tin;  Ktv.  Mr.  Kclls,  who  had  hecii  orio  of  llic  Hr.iihps 
ol  the  iitiitiul  council,  wrote  a  narrative  of  the  transar-iioii-i 
of  the  council,  suppiyiiitr  such  acts  and  circiinistanc  <>h  as 
Mr.  Todd  oniiltcd,  noticing  s:.:iio  ol  those  things  in  )\\\ 
narrative  which  he  judged  severe,  uncharitable,  arid  ralcii. 
lated  lo  n  iidcr  his  brethren  of  the  council  odious  and  ron- 
tempi 'l)le.  He  alto  made  such  genei'nl  remarks  as  he  sup- 
posed were  necjssary  for  the  vindication  of  the  council. 
Mr.  If«-  Tlie  Krv.  Mr.  IIof)art,  of  F'airfield,  repli<?d  in  partitMjJar 
l,»ri  <  vine- to  Mr.  Hart,  in  vindication  of  the  council  at  Wallingford, 
showini^  that  they  had  assumed  no  powers  inconsisteni  with 
the  rights  of  conf^^rc^ational  churches  at  large,  and  consf- 
(juently  could  not  be  inconsisteni  with  the  ecclesiastical 
constitution  of  Ac  colony,  and  no  more  (han  it  was  the 
original  design  of  ihoSaybrook  agreement  to  give  them. 

He  shows  that,  "all  congregational  churches  have  al- 
lowed ecclesiastical  councils  lo  be  an  ordinance  of  Chrisi, 
ntid  to  derive  their  authority  from  llim  :"  that  they  allow 
a  decisive  power  to  them ;  and  he  insists,  that  it  would  be 
strangely  inconsistent  to  assert,  that  councils  are  a  divine 
institution,  and  yet  to  deny  them  the  right  of  deciding  those 
controversies  which  were  regularly  brought  before  them ; 
or  to  suppose  the  parties  interested  in  such  decisions,  at 
liberty  to  regard,  or  disregard  them,  as  they  please. 

He  clearly  evinces,  by  quotations  from  the  best  authors, 
*'  that  congregational  churches,  though  not  united  in  con- 
sociations, have  a  right  to  enquire  into  the  conduct  of  a 
particular  church,  upon  the  complaint  of  any  of  its  mem- 
bers, or  even  upon  common  fame,  and  to  proceed  to  a  sen- 
tence of  non-communion,  in  case  the  church  refuses  to  give 
an  account  of  its  conduct,  or  obstinately  persists  in  its  er- 
rors and  disorders."  He  quotes  from  the  apology  of  th») 
congregational  ministers  in  England,  in  1644,  this  dcclard- 
tion  :  "  Wc  agree  that  in  all  cases  of  offence,  the  offendin^j 
church  is  to  submit  to  an  examination,  by  other  neighboring 
churches,  and  on  their  persisting  in  their  error,  or  miscar- 
riage, they  arc  to  renounce  all  christian  communion  with 
them,  till  they  repent.  It  is  a  maxim  to  be  abhorred,  that 
a  single  society  of  men,  pretending  to  be  endowed  with  a 
power  from  Christ,  to  juqge  tliein  of  the  same  body,  should 
arrogate  to  themselves,  an  exemption  from  giving  an  ac- 
count, or  being  censurable  of  any  other."*  He  shows,  that 
with  these  sentiments  of  the  congregational  divines  in  Eng- 

*  Pages  4j  5,  €,  7. 


^^MAr.  \\V. 


roNNIXTKM'T. 


Ml 


liiml,  «»iir  lorrfiillirrs    in  lliin  ruiiiilry    tnHv  r\c;rfrf|.     Ilr  Rook  If. 
•|U(>U"»  Dr.  ('.  IMutlKi,  ill  liisficfuiri' of  tlir<lisri|>litiror  thr  ^^-v,"^ 
Nrw-Knt^liuul  c'hurrlu'.s,  in  wlii4':h  li'   allows  ihiit  a  p«Tson     ]'y.}, 
crnsurni  hy  a  pai'liciiliir  cliiirrli,  in.iy  call  a  roiinrii,  which, 
Hridiri^  him  m^atly  injund,  may.  il  no  offuT  uHMsiirr-  will 
;ui>w<'r,  Ijy  a  .solemn  act,  Hithdiaw  romtnunion   from  iliat 
cliiiich,  or  from  as  many  in  i'  as  will  ^o  on  to  ahrt   and 
mainlain  llir  unjust  .Honlcncr  \nIh.  h  ha.s  hern  passed  in  it. 
And  he  m.iinlains,  that  ''il  in  (uv   of  the  principles  ofi||('>*«J 
I'hinchr'i,  that  tin.'  h'i^hhoiiriiii^  (  hiirchcs,  upon  ihc  motion 
of  their  pa«itor.s,  may,  without  any  rail  from  the  church,  (or 
fr(»m  any  in  the  church,)  where;  j^ross  mis(  hicis  <lo  notori- 
ously happen,  tipon  the  Justly  behevcd  nport  of  those  mis- 
chiefs, meet  in  council,  to  take  course  about  them." 

He  proceeds  further,  to  prove,  that  the  ordination  and 
settlement  of  a  minister,  is  one  of  those  cases  which  are  al- 
lowed to  require  an  ecclesiastical  council ;  and  in  which, 
by  congregational  principles,  a  particular  church  ought 
not  to  proceed  without  the  approbation,  or  concurrence  of 
others.  He  (|uoles  Dr.  Increase  Mather,  whose  words  are, 
"  In  momentous  matters  of  common  concern,  particular 
churches  should  proceed  with  the  concurrence  of  neigh- 
bouring churches.  So,  in  the  ordination  of  a  pastor,  mucb 
more  in  the  deposing  of  one.  Thus  it  has  ever  been  in  the 
churches  of  New-England."  He  also  quotes  the  resolution 
of  the  synod  of  Boston,  in  1662,  which  includes,  in  the 
cases  in  which  churches  ought  to  seek  and  accept  help 
from,  and  give  help  to  one  another,  "  matters  of  more  than 
ordinary  importance,  as  ordination,  translation,  and  depo- 
sition of  elders."  Shows  flie 

Having  shown  what  were  the  rights  of  congregational  alteration 
churches  at  large,  while  they  were  unconsociatcd,  he  pro-  '"l^J^*;^!^^ 
cecdcd  to  show  what  alteration  was  made,  cither  in  the  consocia- 
ronstitution,  or  rights  of  ecclesiastical  councils,  by  congrc-  ting. 
gational  churches  uniting  in  consociations,  or  how  these 
things  stand  in  the  churches  of  Connecticut,  since  the  Say- 
brook  agreement. 

Here  he  observes,  that  the  ecclesiastical  councils  iit 
Connecticut  have,  undoubtedly,  as  large  and  extensive 
rights  and  authority,  at  least,  as  those  which  were  not  thus 
limited :  that  in  all  the  debates  relative  to  the  consociation 
of  churches,  there  had  never  been  the  least  intimation  of 
lessening  the  rights  and  authority  of  councils,  by  their 
consociating :  that  it  must,  therefore,  be  granted,  that  the 
councils  in  Connecticut,  were  an  ordinance  of  Christ,  vest- 
ed with  all  the  rights  of  congregational  churches  at  large, 
'o  hear  complaints  of  irregularities  and  diisordcrs  in  par- 


i; 


iiiil 


S12 


HISTORY  or 


Chap.  XXV. 


Advantage 
nf conso- 
ciated 
fhiirches. 


They  arc 
limited  to 
their  own 
districts, 
by  the  na- 
tnre  of 
their 
union. 


fi(:iil;\r  churtlies:  that  they  are  judges  of  the  morals  and 
fliutlifications  of  all  probationers  for  the  ministry  ;  and  no 
minister  may  be  settled  in,  or  removed  from  a  particuhir 
church,  without  their  approbation,  or  concurrence ;  and 
that  they  had  a  decisive  authority,  or  a  right  to  enforce 
their  determinations  by  ecclesiastical  censures,  at  least  by 
a  censure  of  non-communion,  or  withdrawing  from  such  as 
walk  disorderly.  He  then  evinces,  that  if  the  councils 
consisting  of  consociated  churches,  be  only  councils  ol 
which  the  Saybrook  agreement  allows,  that  they  must  havtj 
the  right  of  exercising  this  whole  authority. 

That  the  consociated  churches  are  limited  in  calling 
councils  to  those  churches  with  which  they  are  united  in 
consociation,  and  that  these  are  the  only  councils  accord- 
ing to  the  Saybrook  agreement,  he  endeavours  substantial- 
ly to  prove,  as  he  conceived  that  on  this  the  whole  contro- 
versy turned.  For  thi.'i  purpose  he  states,  that  the  great 
alteration  made  by  the  churches  entering  into  consociation, 
is  this :  The  churches  consociated  are  confined,  with  re- 
spect to  their  coimcils,  to  the  pastors  and  churches  of  their 
own  particular  consociation^  while  other  churches  pick  and 
choose  their  councils  from  all  parts  of  the  country.  "  And 
the  great  and  invaluable  advantage  of  consociated  coun- 
cils, is,  that  they  have  certain  known  judges  to  decide  their 
disputes,  vested  with  authority  to  carry  their  judgments 
into  execution ;  and,  consequently,  have  a  certain  way  to 
have  their  controversies  issued,  and  the  greatest  security 
of  having  it  done  in  an  impartial,  just,  and  equitable  man- 
ner :  while  such  as  are  not  consociated,  must  unavoidably 
be  liable,  either  to  have  their  disputes  endless,  or  to  have 
them  decickd  in  &uch  a  way,  as  prodigiously  exposes  them 
to  partial  and  unrighteous  judgments." 

That  the  councils  of  congregational  churches  in  Con- 
necticut, are  limited  to  their  several  districts,  he  argues 
from  "  the  nature  of  that  union  of  churches,  which  we  call 
a  consociation." 

"  Congregational  churches,  when  they  enter  into  conso- 
ciation, agree  to  come  into  a  more  strict  and  intimate  union 
with  each  other  than  they  were  before,  or  than  other  church- 
es stand  in  to  each  other.  They  agree  to  this,  to  derive 
some  advantages  from  it.  And  in  consideration  of  those 
advantages,  tliey  consent  to  give  up  all  those  liberties 
which  are  inconsistent  with  this  union.  Ii  is,  doubtless, 
consistent  with  union  for  a  particular  church  to  manage  its 
own  affairs,  (which  do  not  aftect  the  other  churches  united 
with  it,)  by  itself,  or  without  consulting  them ;  but  in  af- 
fairs of  a  public  nature  and  of  general  concern,  such  as 


p 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


513 


coun- 


argues 
we  call 


require  the  counsel,  assistance,  or  approbation  of  olherBooKll. 
churches,  the  other  parts  of  the  united  body,  called  a  con-  ^,^-v-v.- 
sociation,  have  a  right  to  be  consulted ;  and,  in  some  cases,     1 758. 
to  interfere,  though  they  are  not  invited  nor  desired.     And 
for  a  particular  church,  in  such  cases,  obstinately  to  refuse 
to  submit  to  the  judgment  of  the  whole,  is  a  breach  of  the 
agreement,  and  exposes  it  to  be  cast  out  of  the  union,  oi 
to  have  the  sentence  of  non-communion  declared  against 
it. 

The  choice  and  settlement  of  a  minister,  is  a  matter  of  a 

f)ublic  nature,  and  of  general  concern ;  every  church  be- 
onging  to  the  same  consociation  has  an  interest,  and  a 
very  important  one,  in  it ;  and  that  not  only  as,  on  account 
of  their  situation,  they  and  their  children,  fwill  be  likely  to 
be  affected  by  the  good  or  bad  principles  and  practices  of 
a  neighboring  minister,  which  is  the  grand  reason  why,  in 
churches  not  consociated,  neighboring  ministers  and 
churches  are  judged  the  proper  ones  to  assist  at  ordina- 
tions ;  but  upon  a  much  more  important  account,  and  sucii 
an  one  as  arises  from  the  consociation  of  churches.     The 

f)astor  of  one  consociated  church  stands  in  a  very  near  re- 
ation  to  every  other  church  in  the  same  consociation  :  for 
he  is  as  such  a  member  of  the  association,  and  has  a  right 
to  sit  in  all  the  councils  of  the  consociated  churches  of  that 
district.  Now  Mr.  Hart  allows  that  the  associations  arc 
made,  in  some  sort,  guardians  and  inspectors  of  vacant 
churches  ;  and  though  he  contends  that  particular  church- 
es may  send  where  they  please  for  ordination  councils,  yet 
he  admits  that,  in  other  affairs  that  reouire  a  council,  they 
are  limited  to  the  consociation,  whose  aetermination  is  de- 
cisive and  final.  Now  let  us  see  whether,  on  Mr.  Hart's 
own  principles,  a  particular  churches'  settling  a  minister 
against  the  declared  judgment  of  the  other  churches  united 
with  them  in  consociation,  be  not  inconsistent  with  this 
union. 

"  Every  church  in  the  consociation  is  liable  to  become 
vacant,  and,  consequently,  to  have  this  minister  for  one  of 
its  guardians  and  inspectors  ;  it  is  liable  to  have  such  dis- 
putes and  contentions  arise  in  it  as  require  the  judgment 
of  an  ecclesiastical  council,  consequently,  to  have  this  min- 
ister for  one  of  the  judges,  and  perhaps  the  very  man  on 
whose  vote  in  council  a  final  and  decisive  judgment  in  its 
most  important  concerns  may  depend.  Now,  is  it  agreea- 
ble to  such  an  union,  or  even  consistent  with  the  common 
rights  of  mankind,  for  a  consociation,  consisting  of  perhaps 
twenty  churches,  to  have  a  guardian,  an  inspector,  a  judge, 
over  them  all,  appointed  by  one  of  them,  not  only  with- 

P  3 


:m 


I 


II 


1 


614 


MlSTOilY  OF 


Chap.  XXV 


Book  If.  out  the  approbation,  but  against  the  declarpd  judgment 
^^^-vx^  and  j>ublic  protestation  of  the  other  nineteen-  Kvcry 
1769.  man  of  common  sense  must  own  that  this  is  unreasona- 
ble, and  even  absurd  ;  and  yet,  there  is  no  avoiding  it,  but 
l»y  allowing  that  consociated  churches,  in  calling  councils, 
and  particularly  ordination  councils,  are  limited  to  \h^ 
rhurches  united  with  them  in  consociation;  and  it  is  ev- 
idently inconsistent  with  the  very  nature  of  the  union  tf> 
do  otherwise. 

"  The  same  thing  may  be  argued  from  the  end  and  do 
?ign  of  churches  thus  uniting.  It  is  some  inconvenience 
in  the  constitution  of  any  civil  or  religious  .Society  that  puts 
them  on  making  alterations  in  it.  Congregational  church- 
es, not  formed  into  consociations,  found  this  defect  in  their 
constitution,  that,  in  the  choice  of  councils  at  large,  then- 
was  room  for  great  partiality.  The  contending  parties,  in 
a  divided  church,  must  either  unite  in  what  they  call  a  mu- 
tual council,  that  is,  one  in  which  each  parly  nominates  an 
equal  number  of  ministers  and  churches;  in  which  case,  it 
was  sometimes  found  that  the  cour»cil,  when  met,  would  be 
equally  divided,  and  so  could  come  to  no  determination  in 
the  case  ;  or  else  each  party  must  send  for  a  distinct  coun- 
cil, of  their  own  picking  awl  choosing ;  which  councils  fre- 
quently gave  contrary  judgments ;  which  rendered  contro- 
versies endless,  introduced  confusion,  and  turned  the 
church  of  Christ  into  a  mere  Babel.  As  no  other  remedy 
for  this  evil  could  be  contrived,  proposals  were  made  fcr 
the  consociation  of  churches.  There  neither  is,  nor  can 
^e,  an  elfectual  security  against  these  evils,  in  any  othei 
way,  than  by  limiting  churches  to  the  consociation  which 
they  belong  to,  in  calling  councils.  Accordingly,  our  wise 
predecessors,  in  the  synod  of  Saybrook,  agreed  to  come 
into  consociation,  without  having  any  exempt  cases.  And 
after  all  Mr.  Hart  has  said,  I  believe  men,  in  general,  will 
think  it  most  reasonable  to  interpret  a  law  in  such  a  sense 
that  it  may  answer  its  end,  and  prove  a  remedy  for  the 
mischief  it  was  designed  to  remove." 

He  further  argues,  "  This  proposition  may  be  proved, 
from  the  grounds  the  synod  at  Saybrook  went  upon,  and 
the  expressions  they  used  in  the  agreement  they  came  into. 
They  mention  it  as  a  principle  universally  acknowledged,. 
Quod  tanget  omnes,  debet  traclari  ah  omnibus.  What  all 
are  concerned  in,  all  have  a  right  to  act  in.  This  they 
had  an  especial  respect  to,  in  coming  into  this  agreement. 
Now  those  affairs,  in  one  con-^ociated  church,  which  do  re- 
quire an  ecclesiastical  council,  do  concern,  and  will  affect, 
all  the  other  churches  united  with  it.    This  is  particularly 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


Ij 


/  J- 


thr  case  of  ordination,  as  has  hren  proved  uiicady ;  and,  Book  II. 
therefore,  the  churches  of  a  particular  consociation,  Ujon 
the  principles  of  the  Saybrook  synod,  have  a  right  to  at  t, 
in  all  cases  that  happen  within  their  limits,  which  rcijuin; 
ihc  determination  ol  an  ecclesiastical  council;  and  especial- 
ly in  an  affair  of  so  great  consequerjre  to  them  all,  as  the 
settlement  of  a  minister  in  any  one  of  thein.  Dy  necessary 
«;onsequence,  our  consociated  churches  are  not  at  liljerty, 
in  these  cases,  to  call  councils  at  large,  or  to  pick  here  and 
'here  a  church;  but  are,  by  the  very  principles  of  their 
constitution,  limited  to  their  brethren  of  the  same  consoci- 
ation. 

"  The  expressions  used  by  our  venerable  fathers  of  the 
synod  at  Saybrook,  are  agreeable  to  this  principle,  on 
which  they  acted.  Thus,  in  the  second  article,  they  men- 
lion  this  as  the  end  for  which  churches  were  to  consociatc, 
viz.  For  mutually  affording  each  other  such  assistance  as 
may  be  requisite  upon  all  occasions  ecclesiastical.  In  the 
next  article,  they  say  that.  All  cases  of  scandal,  that  fall 
out  within  the  circuit  of  any  of  the  aforesaid  consociations, 
shall  be  brought  to  a  council  of  the  elders,  and  also  mes- 
sengers, of  the  churches  within  the  said  circuit.  ]n  the  fifth 
article  they  provide,  that  when  any  case. is  orderly  brought 
before  any  council,  &c.  their  determination  shall  be  final. 
In  the  next  article,  they  order,  that  if  any  pastor  and 
church  doth  obstinately  refuse  a  due  attendance  and  con- 
formity to  the  determination  of  the  council,  &c.  they  shall 
be  reputed  guilty  of  scandalous  contempt,  and  the  sentence 
of  non-communion  shall  be  declared  against  such  pastor 
and  church.  This  is  the  language  of  the  Saybrook  agree- 
ment, from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  it ;  it  says,  all  oc- 
casions ecclesiastical,  all  cases  of  scandal,  any  case  brought 
before  a  council,  &c.  He  observes,  that  the  constitution 
allows  of  no  exempt  cases,  and  that  allowing  them  would 
destroy  the  very  design  for  which  the  churches  consociat- 
ed. He  thinks  it  certain  and  indisputable,  from  these  con- 
siderations, that  all  councils  were,  by  the  constitution,  lim- 
ited to  the  consociationsof  their  particular  districts." 

He  observes,  "  The  ordination  council  at  Wallingford 
consisted  of  the  elders  and  messengers  of  seven  churches ; 
their  advocates  will  have  it,  that  they  were  an  ecclesiasti- 
cal council,  known  and  approved  by  our  constitution  :  the 
only  proof  they  produce  of  it  is  this  ;  the  heads  of  agree- 
ment mention  the  pastors  of  neighboring  congregations  as 
proper  persons  to  concur  in  an  ordination.  A  slender 
pioof  indeed !  I  believe  no  council  ever  carried  theii 
claims  so  high,  and  produced  so  poor  a  comnaission.    Tho 


(1 


516 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXV. 


Book  IT.  expression,  pantors  of  neiehhorin<r  mngregalinva,  must,  he 

s-^-v-^/ stretched  pretty  hard  to  make  it  take  in  a  minister  at  the 

1769,    distance  ot"  an  hundred  and  (ifty  miles,  which  was  the  ease 

of  one  who  sat  in  this  council :    But  it  is  a  greater  stretch 

still,  to  make  it   mean  both  ministers   and  messengers  of 

churches. 

"  I  conclude,  therefore,  on  the  whole,  that  the  churches 
of  Connecticut,  by  entering  into  consociations,  have  limit- 
ed (hemsrlves  to  the  particular  consociations  to  which  they 
belong,  in  all  cases,  (without  exception)  that  require  the 
advice,  or  determination  of  an  ecclesiastical  council ;  and 
particularly  in  the  important  affair  of  ordination  :  That  our 
constitution  acknowledges  no  council  buta  consociational 
one  :  Am]  that  to  set  up  an  ordination  coimcil  in  opposi- 
tion to  the  consociation,  is  not  only  perfectly  unconstitu- 
tional, but  absolutely  subversive  of  the  consociation  of 
churches.  wJbich  is  the  very  basis  on  which  our  constitu- 
tion stands. 

"  If  we  consider  the  matter  merely  as  an  ordination, 
without  regarding  the  special  difficulties  that  attended  it ; 
the  nature  of  the  union  that  subsisted  between  the  church 
of  Wallingford  and  the  other  churches  of  the  district,  the 
principles  on  which  this  union  subsists,  and  the  good  ends 
it  was  designed  to  answer,  all  unite  to  require  that  the 
consociated  churches  should  have  been  invited  to  exam- 
ine and  approve  the  candidate,  and  to  act  in  the  ordina- 
tion. 

"  But  if  we  consider  this  ordination  with  its  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances, it  will  appear  to  have  been  one  of  those  diffi- 
cult cases  which  could  not  be  issued  without  considerable 
disquiet :  For  Mr.  Todd  allows  that,  at  a  parish  meeting, 
consisting  of  two  hundred  voters,  fifty  appeared  against 
the  proposed  settlement  of  Mr.  Dana,  and  these  appear  to 
have  been  continually  gaining  ground  ;  for  at  the  time  of 
the  ordination,  they  were  increased  to  the  number  of  ninety 
five.  Some  of  these  were  gentlemen  of  figure  and  estate ; 
and  it  was  evident  that  they  were  fixed  and  in  earnest  in 
their  opposition.  Every  one  must  be  sensible,  that  a  case 
thus  circumstanceed  must  be  really  a  difficult  one." 

Mr.  Hobart  says,  "  I  do  not  love  to  give  names  to  any 
number  of  gentlemen,  that  will  displease  them,  yet  I  can^ 
not  help  saying  that  it  is  a  plain  case  with  me,  that  these 
gentlenrisn  must,  on  the  principles  of  our  constitution,  be 
esteemed  as  an  anti-council  •.  and  therefore,  not  only  be 
judged  destitute  of  all  ecclesiastical  authority,  but  even 
as  having  acted  a  criminal  part ;  especially  those  (who 
were  almost  all  of  them)  that  were  pastors,  or  members, 


\ 


/ 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


517 


<Ki. 


of  consocialed  churches;  for  they  acted  contrary  to  the  Boor  II. 
agreement  they  had  entered  into,  and  the  obligations  they  ^^^^s^-^./ 
Tvere  under;  they  set  themselves  up  in  opposition  to  the    1759. 
highest  ecclesiastical   authority  in    that    consociation  of 
which  they  "'cre  members,  and  did  all  that  in  them  lay  to 
dissolve  all  consociations  of  churches  in  the  colony. 

"  It  is  not  so  much  as  pretended  that  there  ever  was  be- 
fore an  instance  in  which  any  council,  called  loan  ordina- 
tion, acted  in  opposition  to  the  declared  sense  of  the  conso- 
ciation of  the  district.  The  gentlemen  who  met  in  council 
at  Wallingford,  have  the  unenvicd  honor  of  being  the  first 
that  ever  did  so  in  Connecticut.  In  all  other  cases  there 
has  been  some  reason  to  presume,  that  the  consociated 
churches  did  approve  the  candidate,  and  allow  of  his  set- 
tling within  their  bounds.  It  was  always  in  their  power  to 
have  assembled  in  council,  and  protested  against  the  pro- 
ceedings. Or  if  any,  over  whom  a  minister  was  to  be  or- 
dained, had  any  thing  to  accuse  him  of,  they  might  have 
complained  to  the  consociation,  as  was  now  done.  Nor 
do  I  believe  there  ever  was  an  ordaining  council  before, 
but  what  would,  in  either  of  these  cases,  have  shewn  so 
much  regard  to  the  constitution,  and  the  peace  of  our 
churches,  as  to  have  stopped  proceedings." 

Mr.  Hart  had  suffered  himself  in  expressing  his  own 
groundless  suspicions  of  other  men's  being  influenced  by 
some  of  the  worst  designs  of  which  mankind  are  capable  ; 
and,  speaking  of  the  members  of  the  council  at  Walling- 
ford, complains,  that  after  their  ordination  of  Mr.  Dana, 
they  were  spoken  of  as  Arminiansand  favorers  of  heresy, 
find  he  appeared  concerned  for  himself,  lest  some  unfavor- 
able imputations  might  be  thrown  upon  him. 

To  this  Mr.  Hobart  replies,  "  It  is  universally  known 
to  all,  who  are,  in  any  measure,  acquainted  with  things  of 
this  nature,  that  there  has  been  a  very  great  change  (ei- 
ther for  the  better  or  the  worse)  in  the  principles  or  doc-  Corruption 
irines  of  religion  introduced  into  the  English  nation  since  in  doc- 
our  forefathers  left  it ;  so  great,  that  those  doctrines  which  *"°^* 
were  then,  almost  universally,  esteemed  not  only  impor- 
tant, but  (some  of  them)  fundamental  truths  of  Christiani- 
ty, have  by  some  been  explained  away,  by  others  flatly 
denied,  and,  by  too  many,  even  treated  with  banter  and 
ridicule.  Arminianism  led  the  way,  Pelagianism  followed 
it,  Arianism  and  Socinianism  brought  up  the  rear.  And 
while  such  as  professed  the  gospel  were  explaining  away, 
or  denying  its  most  essential  doctrines.  Deism  has  come 
in  like  a  flood,  and  almost  swallowed  up  the  name  of 
Christianity. 


I 


*i 


1 


m 


,.  '3>f 


:.ti 


i 


Ala 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXV. 


1759. 


Arminian- 
isiii  imput- 
rd  to  the 
ordination 
coiiiicil, 
and  their 
iidvocatfg. 


Book  11.  "Those  corruptions  in  docirine  liavp  crossed  thcailiin- 
tic ;  and  too  many  in  our  churches,  and  even  among  our 
ministers,  have  fallen  in  with  them.  Hooks,  containing 
them,  have  been  imported  ;  and  the  demand  for  them  has 
been  so  great  as  to  encourage  new  impressions  of  some  of 
them  :  others  have  been  wrote  on  the  same  principles,  in 
this  country  *,  and  even  the  doctrine  of  the  sacred  and  ador- 
able Trinitv,  has  been  publicly  treated  in  such  a  manner,  as 
ail  who  believe  that  doctrine  must  judge  not  only  hereti- 
cal, but  highly  blasphemous.* 

"  How  far  a  liking  to  these  errors,  or  a  desire  to  open  a 
door  for  their  admission  into  our  churches,  might  influence 
the  members  of  the  ordination  council,  or  their  advocates, 
I  cannot  pretend  to  say  ;  for  I  must  own,  I  am  not  able  to 
look  into  the  hearts  of  men  ;  nor  will  1  indulge  myself  in 
publishing  conjectures,  as  Mr.  Hart  has  done  :  but  facts 
are  open,  things  of  which  every  man  is  a  judge.  For  my 
own  part,  1  can  truly  say,  that  I  never  before  heard,  nor  do 
I  now  believe,  that  any  one  member  of  that  council,  gain- 
ed that  character  (that  is,  of  an  Arminian,  or  favorers  ol 
heresy)  since,  but  what  had  that  same  character  before.  I 
have  enquired  of  gentlemen  who  have  a  large  acquaint- 
ance in  the  country ;  they  ail  say,  that  they  have  not  heard 
louder  complaints  of  this  kind,  against  those  gentlemen, 
since  the  ordination  at  Wallingford,  than  they  had  heard 
before.  It  is  unhappy  that  they  ever  gave  so  much  occa- 
sion for  suspicions  of  this  kind ;  and  more  so,  that  they 
should  take  such  measures  as  tend  to  strengthen  such  sus- 
picions. Some  of  them  certainly  knew  that  they  had  this 
character,  and  have  often  complained  of  it  as  an  abuse. 
Had  they  modestly  declined  acting  in  this  case,  they  had 
taken  a  proper  way  to  have  removed  the  suspicions  others 
had  entertained  of  them  ;  but  to  set  themselves  up  fpr  the 
only  judges  in  this  case,  in  opposition  to  the  remonstran- 
ces of  their  brethren,  and  to  the  constitution  they  professed 
to  act  upon,  which  constitution  some  of  them  had  before 
carried  to  as  great  a  height  as  any  (and  to  a  higher  than 
most)  men  in  the  country,  was  certainly  the  way,  not  to  re- 
move, but  to  strengthen  those  suspicions.t 

*  The  Rev.  Mr.  Edwards,  in  his  preface  to  his  treatise  on  the  doctrine 
of  original  sin,  rai^ntions  the  great  corruption  of  doctrine  in  New-England, 
by  Dr.  Taylor's  writings,  which  had  been  published  about  fifteen  years 
before,  or  about  the  year  1742. 

+  These  were  the  very  gentlemen  who  deposed  Mr.  Robbins,  directly 
against  the  will,  anu  in  opposition  to  the  church  :  and  who  excluded  three 
of  their  brethren,  in  the  ministry,  from  associational  c  jnununion,  for  as  ■ 
eisting  in  the  ordination  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lee,  of  Salisbury,  who  W8°  of  ait 
•entirely  unexceptionable  character,  and  a  candidate  in  whom  both  tli(^ 
fh!irch  and  town  were  well  united,  besause  they  did  it  without  th«  prevt- 


Grounds  of 
BHspicion. 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECTICUT. 


519 


directly 
ed  three 
for  a?  • 
«  ofau 
both  thft 
is  prev»- 


"  There  arc  several  other  things  which  have  the  same  Book  II. 
tendency  :  I  shall  mention  one  or  two.  v.^-v^-x^ 

'*  The  first,  is  the  connecting  the  business  of  Wallingford  iT^O. 
with  the  afiairs  of  Yale  College.  Wallingford  has  no  more 
connection  with  the  college,  than  any  other  p5».rish  in  the 
government ;  and  the  two  ministers  of  New-Haven  county, 
that  have  the  honor  to  be  fellows  of  the  college,  were  of 
the  ordination  council.  It  is  well  enough  known,  that  the 
students  of  Yale  College  attend  public  worship  and  ordi- 
nances under  the  administration  of  the  professor  of  divini- 
ty ;  and  I  suppose  few  are  ignorant  that  this  was  very 
much  owing  to  a  certain  gentleman's  refusing  to  satisfy  the 
corporation,  that  he  was  not  Arian  in  the  important  ar- 
ticles of  Christ's  divinity  and  atonement,  when  they  let  him 
know  the  reasons  of  his  being  suspected  on  these  heads, 
some  of  which  were  taken  from  sermons  he  delivered  on 
sacramental  occasions,  when  the  scholars  did  attend.  En- 
deavours have  been  made  to  raise  a  ferment,  p.nd  throw 
the  government  into  convulsions  on  this  account,  but  hith- 
erto in  vain :  the  friends  to  the  ecclesiastical  constitution 
of  the  country,  have  justified  and  supported  the  college  in 
this  measure,  esteeming  it  necessary  for  preserving  the 
faith  of  our  churches  in  the  most  important  cloctrines  of  the 
gospel." 

Here  he  takes  occasion  to  notice  a  virulent  writer,  who 
had  employed  his  pen  both  against  the  college  and  the  le- 
gislature of  the  colony,  and  had  cast  injurious  reflections 
on  the  principal  gentlemi;n  in  the  legislature  and  corpora- 
tion, and  who  was  known  to  differ  from  the  established  doc- 
trines of  our  churches,  in  the  most  important  articles.  He 
says,  ''  but  I  must  own  that  I  was  surprised  to  find  Mr. 
Todd  and  Mr.  Hart  joining  with  him  in  it,  and  publicly 
owning  a  connection  between  the  two  cases.  This  looks 
like  a  design  to  open  a  door  for  letting  in  men  into  the  min- 
istry, that  differ  fundamentally  from  the  doctrines  estab- 
lished in  these  churches. 

"  Another  thing  which  directly  and  strongly  tends  to 
raise  and  confirm  suspicions  of  this  kind,  is  the  manner  in 
which  these  gentlemen  express  themselves,  and  the  satis- 
faction they  discover,  when  they  suppose  they  find  a  weak 
place  in  our  constitution.  I  suppose  all  that  have  read  Mr. 
Hart's  remarks  mu«t  have  observed  several  things  of  this 
kind :  Thus,  when  he  had  exerted  himself  to  the  utmost, 
to  prove  that  the  pastors  of  neighbouring  congregations, 

CUB  advice  of  the  association ;  were  some  of  the  most  violent  opposers  of 
the  religious  awakening  in  the  country,  and  the  only  gentlemen  who  had 
publicly  thanked  the  legislature  for  their  tyrannical,  unjust,  and  persecut- 
ing eccle6la8tica^  laws,    Now  they  had  become  great  sticklers  for  liberty,- 


.11 


■;..(* 


:M 


^m 

m¥^ 


w 


520 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXV. 


1759. 


Book  II.  mcnlionoil  in  the  heads  of  agreement,  meant  a  body  oi 
men  difTercnt  from,  and  that  may  be  opposed  to  the  asau- 
ciatiotis  and  consociations  spoken  of  in  the  articles  for  dis- 
ci|)line,  and  found  that  this  would,  unavoidably,  make  the 
several  parts  of  our  constitution  inconsistent,  he  says,  "  If 
there  is  a  little  jumble  in  this  part  of  our  constitution,  let 
the  constitution  itself  bear  it."  And  again,  when  he  men- 
tions it  as  an  objection  some  might  make  to  this  scheme, 
that  the  churches  are  but  poorly  guarded  against  corrupt 
ministers,  he  says  it  may  be  replied,  that "  it  is  what  it  is." 
I  believe  a  man  who  is  not  of  a  very  suspicious  temper, 
will  find  some  disposition  to  doubt,  whether  the  man  that 
uses  such  expressions,  be  a  very  zealous  friend  to  our  con- 
stitution; and  even  whether  he  does  not  rejoice,  in  think- 
ing it  such  a  weak,  jumbling  thing,  as  is  insutlicient  to  se- 
cure our  churches  against  corrupt  ministers. 

"  Now  if,  on  the  whole,  we  have  reason  to  fear  the  pre- 
valence of  error,  it  certainly  concerns  our  associations  and 
consociations  to  esert  themselves;  not  indeed  by  assu- 
ming any  authority  which  does  not  belong  to  them,  but  by 
strictly  observing  the  rules  and  directions  of  our  constitu- 
tion. And  all  the  friends  to  the  faith  and  order  of  the  gos- 
pel established  among  us,  will,  doubtless,  encourage  and 
strengthen  them  therein. 

"  The  grand  objection  against  the  scheme  I  am  plead- 
ing for,  is,  that  it  establishes  a  tyrannical  power  in  coun- 
cils, and  destroys  the  liberties  of  particular  churches,  and 
the  mcmbere  of  them.  The  advocates  for  what  they  call 
the  oixlination  council  at  Wallingford,  are  continually  harp- 
ing upon  this  string ;  and  as  the  objection  is  popular,  they 
seem  to  have  raised  expectations  from  it.  I  am  heartily 
willing  to  join  issue  with  them  here.  I  am  a  sincere  friend 
to  liberty,  and  detest  tyranny  of  every  kind,  ecclesiastical 
as  well  as  civil.  I  freely  consent  that  the  whole  contro- 
versy should  turn  on  this  single  point.  If  my  principles 
establish  tyranny,  I  give  them  upon  the  spot:  nay,  I  will 
go  further, — if  they  do  not  more  effectually  promote  and 
secure  the  rights  of  mankind,  than  the  opposite  scheme 
does,  I  am  content  that  they  be  exploded.  To  determine 
which  of  these  schemes  is  most  favourable  to  the  rights  and 
liberties  of  christians,  it  will  be  proper  to  view  themi  in 
different  lights.     As, 

1 .  In  their  aspect  on  the  liberties  of  particular  churches. 
1  allow  that  a  particular  church  has  a  right  of  choosing 
their  own  pastor,  but  say,  that,  in  the  exercise  of  this 
light,  they  must  have  the  approbation  of  the  churches  with 
which  they  are  united  in  consociation,  and  may  not  pro- 


Appeal 

with  res- 
pect to 
liberty. 


Chap.  XXV. 


CONNECnCUT. 


521 


ceccJ  to  the  spttlomont  of  a  ininistor  without  this.  The  ^en-  Book  IF. 
llemon  whom  I  oppose,  do  not  pretend  thfit  a  particular  v^-v^i/ 
church  is  under  no  limitation  at  all,  in  the  exercise  of  this  17^1), 
right ;  but  allow  they  mu^t  have  the  concurrence  and  as- 
sistance of  neighbouring  churches  in  calling,  choosing,  i»nd 
settling  their  own  ministers.  It  is  a  right  thus  limited,  that 
Mr.  Todd  represents  himself,  and  those  joi-^  with  him, 
as  contending  for.  Mr.  Hart  likewise  allows,  that  a  church 
»;3nnot  settle  a  minister  without  the  approbation  of  neigh- 
Louring  ministers  and  churches;  for  he  allows  ordination 
councils  to  hear  complaints  against  a  pastor  elect,  and  ex- 
pressly says  that  their  judgment  is  decisive  and  final.  We 
are  agreed,  then,  that  churches  are  thus  limited  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  this  right,  and  the  only  question  between  us,  in 
this  spot,  is,  who  shall  limit  them/  Now,  if  this  limitation 
itself  be  inconsistent  with  the  liberty  particular  churches 
ought  to  have,  it  will  follow,  that  both  our  schemes  are  ty- 
rannical, and  that  they  are  eo  lally  so :  But  if  this  limita- 
tion be  a  just  antl  reasonabli  one,  these  two  opposite 
schemes  are  equally  free  from  any  thing  tyrannical  or  op- 
pressive* I  am  sensible  of  but  one  circumstance  in  which 
these  gentlemen  can  so  much  as  pretend  that  their  princi- 
ples are,  in  this  case,  more  favourable  to  the  liberties  of  n 
particular  church  than  mine;  and  that  is,  what  they  call  an 
ordination  council,  chosen  by  a  particular  church,  whose 
right  it  thus  limits;  And  here  they  seem  to  place  the  em- 
phasis, a  council  of  neighbouring  churches,  chosen  by 
themselves.  But  now,  churches,  in  entering  into  conso- 
ciation, do  choose  the  council  of  that  district,  to  assist  them 
in  all  cases  that  require  the  assistance  of  an  ecclesiastical 
council,  and,  consequently,  this  is  as  truly  a  council  cho- 
sen by  themselves,  as  any  picked  council  can  be. 

3.  "  Let  us  consider  these  two  opposite  schemes,  in  the 
influence  they  will  have  on  those  parties,  into  which  a 
church  is  too  often  unhappily  divided.  That  churches  are 
too  often  divided  into  parties,  will  not  be  disputed ;  and 
when  they  are  so,  that  eaci  party  has  some  rights,  cannot 
be  denied.  The  meanest  r  f  men,  and  even  the  vilest  crim- 
inals, have  a  right  to  be  tried  by  indifferent  judges,  and  to 
have  impartial  justice  done  them.  The  choice  of  a  minis- 
ter is  one  of  those  cases  in  which  a  church  may  be  divi- 
ded ;  and  it  may  be  that  the  division  shall  be  nearly  equal : 
there  may  be  but  one  more  for  the  man  than  there  is  against 
him :  and  since  particular  churches  are  not  infallible,  it  is 
possible  that  a  minor  part  may  have  reason  and  justice  on  .  . 
their  side.  Now,  in  this  case,  our  constitution,  as  I  have 
oxplained  it,  appoints  certain  and  known  judges  between 

Q  3 


<>.f 


IflSTOUY  Of 


Chap.  XXV. 


lUioK  II.  ihcso  pnrtirs:  bill,  upon  ihc  othrr  inirrprrtntion,  it  aIlowr> 
.^-.^^•of  oiu'  of  llie  piirlioh  to  rhoosf?  all  ilic  jiHlgrs ;  and  that 
1760.  *'"'}'  "li^y  ^^*-'  ^'"'<'  oHiaviii^  such  as  will  give  u  ju(lt;meiif 
in  their  lavour,  it  permits  ihcm  to  koikI  far  and  nr;ir,  and 
pick  three  or  four  ministers  ami  churches  out  of  three  or 
four  hundred.  Let  all  men  of  common  sense  judsjo  which 
of  th  -se  methods  is  most  agrecahle  to  the  rights  an(i  liber- 
tics  of  christians,  and  in  which  a  righteous  and  impartial 
judgment  is  most  likely  to  be  obtained ;  and  let  every 
man  consider  liial  he  may  hapiicn  to  be  one  of  Huch  a  mi 
jiority. 

3.  "  The  rights  and  liberties  of  the  whole  consocia'eu 
body,  must  be  taken  into  consideration,  in  order  to  dctcr- 
niino  which  of  these  schemes  has  the  most  favourable  as 
pect  on  christian  liberty.  A  number  of  churches  united  ii« 
consocialion,  are  to  be  consideiTtl  as,  in  some  respects^ 
one  body;  and  this  such  a  one  as  has  rights,  liberties,  and 
privileges  belonging  to  it.  Now,  my  scheme  allows  the 
several  members  of  this  body  to  act  in  ailaira  wherein  they 
arc  all  concerned.  But  the  opposite  scheme  admits,  that 
one  member  of  this  body  may  impose  a  guardian,  an  in- 
spector, a  judge  over  all  the  rest,  (perhaps  twenty  in  num- 
ber,) not  oidy  without  their  consent,  but  against  their  de- 
clared dissent,  as  I  have  before  observed. 

"  Let  the  gentlemen  on  the  other  side  fairly  answer  these 
things,  and  they  have  my  free  consent  to  tise  b\\  their  rhe- 
toric, in  painting  the  glorious  advantages  of  their  own 
scheme  in  pont  of  liberty,  and  to  load  mine  with  the  epi- 
thets, tyrannical,  oppressive,  and  intolerable.  But,  till 
they  do  this,  I  hope  I  do  not  flatter  myself,  when  I  suppose 
the  impartial  public  will  judge,  that  the  interpretation  I 
liave  given  of  our  constitution,  is  not  only  perfectly  con- 
sistent with  the  liberties  of  our  churches,  but  even  the  only 
way  in  which  those  liberties  can  be  preserved,  and  the 
rights  and  privileges  of  ail  parties  concerned,  be  maintain- 
ed and  secured." 

Notwithstanding  the  early  and  extraordinary  pains  which 
the  gentlemen  of  the  ordination  council  atWaUingford,and 
advocates  employed  to  prepossess  the  clergy  and  church- 
es in  general  in  their  favour,  by  narratives,  and  sounding 
the  alarm,  that  the  liberty  of  the  churches  was  in  danger, 
and  that  councils  were  usurping  an  unconstitutional  and 
tyrannical  power,  the  clergy  and  people  in  general  approv- 
ed of  the  doings  of  the  united  council.  They  expressed 
their  approbation  of  their  sense  of  the  constitution,  when 
they  met  in  general  association,  the  June  after  their  result, 
in  the  following  resolves* 


Chap.  XXV. 


(ONNKCTICUT. 


623 


*'  At  a  pcnml  iivsociaiion.  iit  llir  liouso  oIllicRcv.  El»c-  n»)oK  II. 
riczcr  VVhitr;,  in  Danlitii y,  Jiiiu-  I'Jili,  176!*:  v^v-v^ 

"  Kcsolvoil,   by  iliis  ussociiilion,  Tliiil  ;ts  the  tonsoria-     1769. 
'ion  of  churchc"-  is  one   girat  iWui^  that  ihr  «.(iinj)o.sf'rs  o('H»o.iin- 
'lic  platform  had   in  view,  as  th«y  oxpiTsaly  dcclan;  that  '"""■'"'•' 
what  atlectM  all   ou^ht   to   he  rnanaj^nl  hy  all ;  so  tin- re- ^.^  iati,,),, 
4  lesiastical  cmistitniion  oi   llus  colvny  knows  of  no  other  "laiiw  t'> 
council  whatever,  but  a  council  of  the  consociated  church-  •'":'""'^'> 
cs  of  the  district,  or,   in  some  cascjs,  a  consociation  of  a   "^ 
particular  distr>  t,  united  with  a  neighbouring  consociatiun, 
called  in  according  to  the  direction  of  the  constitution. 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  most  expedient,  for  prevcniinfi; 
the  introducing  of  unsound  and  disqualified  men  into  thi- 
ministry,  and  entirely  acreeablc  to  our  ecclesiastical  con- 
stitution, that  the  council  for  the  ordination  of  ministers,  to 
whose  province  it  belongs  to  examine  candidates  for  otdi- 
nation,  should  consist  of  the  consociation  of  the  district  to 
which  the  church  belongs,  over  which  a  pastor  is  to  be 
ordained :  and  as  this  has,  for  sundry  years,  been  practi- 
sed by  several  consociations  in  this  government,  so  we  re- 
commend it  to  universal  practice." 

Mr.  Todd,  the  next  year,  replied  to  Mr.  Eells,  attemjjt- 
ing  to  vindicate  himself  with  respect  to  his  former  narra- 
tive, and  to  justify  the  ordaining  council.  Mr.  Hart,  also^ 
wrote  a  reply  to  Mr.  Hobart.  But  they  did  little  for  the 
strengthening  of  their  argument :  they  used  hard  words,  ifi 
too  many  instances,  instead  of  arguments.  They  imputed 
dishonourable  and  grievous  things,  not  only  to  the  united 
council,  but  to  Messrs.  Eells  and  Hobart,  and  the  general 
association  of  the  colony.  T4iey  insinuated,  that  their  de- 
sign was  to  deprive  the  churches  of  their  dearest  rights 
and  liberties.  Mr.  Hart  reproached  the  corporation  of  the 
college,  and  charged  them  with  unconstitutional  and  arbi- 
trary measures.*  He  calls  Mr.  Hobart's  remarks  on  his 
representation  that  there  was  a  jumble  in  the  constitution 
and  that  it  was  what  it  was,  most  impertinent ;  and  char- 
ges him  with  giving  hir>  words  a  most  disingenuous  and 
perverse  turn :  and  further  says,  "This  is  such  an  instance 
of  meanness  of  spirit  and  perverse  ill  nature,  as  I  should 
not  have  thought  this  gooa  gentleman  capable  of."t  He 
says,  a  spirit  of  jealousy  and  evil  surmisings  has  possessed 
us,  and  charges  the  general  association  of  the  colony  with 
it.  His  words  are,  "Our  last  general  association  gave  n 
remarkable  instance  of  this  shameful  distrust  and  jealousy, 
in  recommending  it  to  the  particular  associations,  for  the 
future,  not  to  trust  their  committees  with  a  power  of  ex 
*  Page  53  pf  hi*  rcpljr.  t  Pages  54  aud  55. 


4 


9 

'11 


i 


621 


HISTOKY  Oh 


CiiAr.  XXV. 


I^)OK  n.  aminin^;,  li«Tn.Hitif(,  ami  irconun^'mllnf^  randidntrs  for  llif 
s.^-N/-^  ministry  ;  arul  loagrc*:  to  u.>f  the  con-ociation  <  oiincils,  in 
17G0.  t''"C  lo  romr,  as  the  only  ordaining  (oumils."*  [\i»\U 
these  gontlonini  wrotr  in  a  ma^i.s(<>riai  niatmor,  uh  llinni^li 
tlK'V  were  most  certainly  rl^ht,  pleading  the  rause  olCiod 
atui  liberty  ;  and  faulting  all  who  dill'ered  from  them, 
whether  individuals  or  public  bodies.  They  wrote  di-*. 
respeetfully  of  councils,  and  in  a  manner  calculated  to 
bring  them  into  disrepute,  and  destroy  their  inHuenre.t 

^lr.  Hobart  replied  to  those  genthmen,  in  a  very  cool 
and  dispassionate  manner,  avoiding  all  personal  reflections, 
and  keeping  close  to  his  argument.  He  adduced  such  au- 
thorities and  facts  relative  to  the  ooinions  and  principles  oi 
congregutionalists,  as  he  imagincu  proved  what  he  before 
advanced,  so  far  as  any  thing  could  be  prove  1  by  facts  and 
arguments,  and  that  congregationalists  at  la^'ge,  abhorred 
the  independence  and  liberty  for  which  they  pleaded  ;  and 
that  the  principle  which  they  maintained,  was  that  of  inde- 
pendents on'y.  He  farther  evinced,  that  the  ecclesiastical 
constitution  of  the  colony  knew  of  no  council  but  that  ol 
the  consociation  of  the  district'  That  the  compilers  of  ii 
had  carefully  avoided  so  much  as  giving  even  the  name  ol 
council  to  any  other  number  of  men,  anu  that  whatever  re- 
lated to  the  general  interest  of  the  churches,  in  the  several 
districts,  of  an  ecclesiastical  nature,  was  committed  to 
them.  As  he  perceived  thev  laid  great  stress  upon  thai 
forced  construction  which  they  had  put  upon  the  seventh 
and  eighth  articles  of  discipline,  he  paid  a  more  particu- 
lar attention  to  them,  and  showed  what  an  unnatural  and 
tortured  construction  they  put  upon  them,  totally  forcigti 
from  the  design  of  the  compilers,  inconsistent  with  them- 
selves, and  a  gross  perversion  and  confounding  of  lan- 
guage. He  observed,  that  a  minister  could  not  be  an  of- 
fending and  aggrieved  person  in  their  view,  as  the  church 
could  pass  no  censure  upon  him,  as  no  act  of  discipline 
could  be  exercised  in  the  church  without  the  con>ent  of  the 
pastor.  He  could  not,  therefore,  possibly  be  conceived  as 
an  offending  party,  agreeable  to  their  construction.  Be- 
sides, he  observed  that  it  was  a  gross  perversion  of  lan- 
guage, and  contrary  to  the  common  sense  and  feelings  of 
mankind ;  that  oft'ending  or  scandalous  persons  and  ag- 
grieved, were  entirely  opposite  and  different  characters ; 
*4nd  that  the  construction  they  put  upon  the  articles,  was 

*  Marginal  note,  p.  40. 

t  Ad  appeal  for  the  trutii  of  these  repreteutaf  ions,  ia  made  to  the  pam- 
phlets which  they  wrote.  The  advocates  on  that  side  of  the  queition, 
wrote  rather  ag^amst  the  platform  and  constitution  itself,  than  in  an'^tvcr  f.o 
i/lr.  Hobart,  as  will  appejir  by  reading  tb«ir  pieces. 


r'liAF.  XXV. 


roNNnrxirrT. 


623 


making  the  HrnnJ.iluiiv  prrs«tri,  ihc  tlrunl.iird  ar\(l  tlu*  klrt^nii-  H<><>k  II. 
v\ui\  ciir  MiiiM-  as  ilic  itiiKH-riii  arui  iijtri^lil  iiiait,  who  is  in-  ^^^^^"^^ 
jtiVc'd  an<l  (»pprr«.sc'(l  hv  llu'  uiiriylitrous  jiidi^mi  tit,  «ir  rni-     ITKl), 
city  of  lii.H  hrr'tbrcii.     Nothing  could  Ih-  niorr  atttiird  tliaii 
ilii.H,   nothiiii'  inon^  roiilrury   to   ijic  coninion  use  of  Ian 
c,'iiat;c,  and  the  conimoii  sniso  of  mankind. 

lie  alno  hliowcd  wherein  ihcy  had  ovadcdand  ni»i  an 
^worrd  hi»  ^ai'(;nmcntH :  and,    with  respect  to  the    lihi  r 
ticH  of  the  churches,  he  showed  in  a  htroii<;  point  nl  Jii^Jit. 
that  the  churches  nn<l  individuals  enjoyed  as  threat,   ami 
f'von  j^reater  liberty,  and  thai  all  their  ecclesiasiital  ri^iiN 
were  more  amply  secured  by  the  Suybrook  ameenieni,  a( 
eording  to  his   construction  of  it,  than  that  of  his  o|)po- 
ncnts.     He  represented  them  as  much  more  Ireo,  as  the 
people  of  Connecticut,  under  their  mild  constitution  i>l' 
civil  government  were,  than  if  they  hatl  no  constitution,  or 
law  to  control  and  govern  them. 

The.ic  gentlemen  made  no  reply  to  Mr.  Ilobart.  Hut 
several  other  pieces  were  written  against  his  construetioti 
of  the  ecclesiastical  constitution  ofthc  colony  ;  some  in  fa- 
vor of  Cambridge  platform,  as  preferable  to  Saybrook 
agreement,  others  in  the  strain  of  independence,  but  not 
meeting  the  arguments  of  Mr.  Hobart.  or  in  any  measure 
invalidating  them.  Though  there  was  a  considerable  party 
in  the  colony  who  were  advocates  for  Mr.  Dana  and  thr 
ordination  council,  yet  the  great  body  of  the  clergy  and 
the  churches  in  general,  put  the  same  construction  on  the 
constitution  which  Mr.  Hobart  had  done.  The  advice  oi' 
the  general  association  was  very  i;tneraily  adopted  by 
the  associations  and  consociations  ;  greater  attention  was 
paid,  both  to  the  morals,  qualitica lions  and  orthodoxy  of 
candidates  for  the  ministry;  ordinations  have  generally 
been  attended  by  the  consociutions  of  the  >  .veral  districts 
in  which  they  have  been  performed. 

The  aggrieved  members  in  Wallingford  were  relcaseil 
from  taxes  to  the  support  of  Mr.  Dana,  by  the  Geniral 
Assembly,  in  the  October  session  in  1739,  and  allowed  to 
worship  by  themselves.  The  Rev.  Simon  Waterman  was 
ordained  pastor  over  them,  October  7th,  1761.  The 
church  members  at  their  beginning  were  fifty,  and  at  the 
ordination  of  their  pastor,  they  were  increased  to  sixty- 
one.  The  people  were  mad{  a  distinct  society,  bv  the; 
name  of  Wells,  in  May,  1763. 

Mr.  Dana  was  a  young  man  at  the  time  of  his  ordina- 
tion, and  had  little  acquaintance  with  the  colony,  and  doubt- 
less took  his  measures  wholly  from  the  ordaining  council. 
Whatever  his  sentiments  were  at  the  time  of  his  ordination, 


n 


636 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXV. 


Book  II.  he  doubtless  considerably  changed  them  upon  further  im- 
s-^^v-^^  provciniiit  and  more  mature  consideration.     He  made  no 
1760,    secret  of  it,  that  he  committed  numbers  of  his  first  sermons 
to  the  flames.     It  is  but  just  to  observe,  that  he  was  a  scho- 
lar and  a  gentleman,  and  a  man  of  very  general  informa- 
tion,  of  hospitality,  and  irreproachable  morals. 

The  gentlemen  of  the  ordination  coiuicil  never  reconcil- 
ed themselves  to  their  brethren,  but  died  in  a  stale  of  ex- 
clusion from  associational  and  consociational  communion. 
It  was  remarkable  that,  after  they  had  carried  the  chim?. 
of  the  association  and  consociation  higher  than  any  other 
gentlemen  in  the  colony,  and  had  excluded  others  in  an 
extraordinary  manner  from  communion  witli  the  associa- 
tion and  consociation,  and  from  the  communion  of  theii 
churches,  they  should  finally  be  excluded  themselves.*  This 
was  the  unhappy  issue  of  the  ordination  at  Wallingford  ; 
it  divided  the  town,  alienated  brethren,  effected  divisions 
in  the  commonwealth  and  churches,  and  after  all,  the  arts 
and  struggles  of  the  gentlemen  who  performed  it,  to  excul- 
pate themselves,  criminate  and  cast  odium  upon  others, 
brought  dishonor  and  evil  upon  themselves.  So  it  often 
eventually  proves  that,  with  what  measure  men  mete  it 
is  measured  to  them  again. 

*  Some  of  them  had  excluded  numbers  from  communion  in  their  <:hurch- 
OS,  of  their  own  mere  authority  and  sovereign  pleasure,  without  anj  vote 
or  consent  of  the  brethren,  for  hearing  their  zealous  brethren,  though  re- 
irularly  ordained,  orthodox,  and  unimpeachable  as  to  their  morals.  They 
had  shut  such  mcq  out  of  their  pulpits,  contrarjr  to  all  the  rutea  of  the  con< 
fititution. 


Chap.  XXVf. 


CONNECTICUT. 


h^l 


CHAPTER  XXVf. 

.4  Catalogue  of  the  Congregational  and  Consociated  Ministers  of  Con* 
necticut^  from  the  year  1713  to  the  year  1764,  inclusively. 


COUNTY  OF  HARTFORD. 


Miniaiera'  Nitmes. 


Timothy  Wnodbridgc 
Daniel  -Vads worth 
Edward  Dorr 
Thomas  Buckingham 
£inathan  Whitman 
Samuel  Woodbridge 
Eliphalet  Williams 
Beniamin  Cotton 
Nathaniel  Hooker 
Jonathan  Marsh 
William  Russell 
Timothy  Edwards 
Joseph  Perry 
John  Woodbridge 
Samuel  Tudor 
Ebenezer  Mills 
Nehemiah  Strong 
John  McKinstry* 
Nathaniel  Huntington 
Seth  Norton 
Hezekiah  Bissell 
Thomas  Potwin 
Stephen  Mix 
James  Lo*!{wood 
Elisha  Williams 
Simon  Backus 
Joshua  Belden 
Daniel  Russell 
Samuel  Whitman 
Timothy  Pitkin 
William  Bumham 
Samuel  Clarke  ' 

Jeremiah  Curtis 
Benjamin  Chapman 
Samuel  Newell 
Ebenezer  Bogge 
Nbadiah  Russell 
William  Russell 
Enoch  Huntington 
Joseph  Smith 
Edward  EelU 


JS/titnes  ofToions. 


Hartford, 
1st 

rliurch 

2d  do. 

3d  do. 

East-Hartford 
4th  do.  Hartf. 
west  division 
Windsor, 
1st  church 
2d  do. 
East-Windsor 

Poquonack 
Turkey  Hills 

Ellington 

Wintonbury 
North-Windsor 
Weathersfield, 
1st  church 

2d  do. 

.Sddo. 
Farmington, 
lat  church 

2d  do. 

3d  do. 

4th  do. 
5th  do. 

Middletown, 
1st  church 

3d  do. 


When  orda 

ined,  ' 

or  installed. 

Nov.  18, 

1685 

Srpt.  28, 

1732 

April  20, 

1748 

Nov.  29, 

1732 

March  30, 

1705 

March  30, 

1758 

Feb.  24, 

1713 

Dec.  21, 

1757 

June, 

1710 

July  24, 

1751 

May, 

1694 

June  11, 

1755 

January, 

1740 

Died,  or  rmioved: 


April  30,       1732 


Nov.  19, 
June  9, 
March  1, 
Sept.  8, 
Jan.  27, 


Installed,      1730 


January,    , 
May, 

Feb.  28, 
Oct.  17, 
Dec.  28, 
Nov  11, 
June  7, 
Dec.  10, 
June, 
Dec.  10, 
July, 
Nov.  IS, 
March  17, 
August, 
Nov.  27, 
Oct.  14, 
June  1, 
Jan.  6, 
Jan.  5, 
Sept.  6, 


1731 
174© 
1749 
1747 

1758 


Resigned,     1756 


1740 
1754 

1694 
1737 
1722 
1726 
1747 
1727 
1706 
1752 
1712 
175G 
1728 
1756 
1747 
1751 
1658 
1715 
1762 
1715 
1738 


Aug.  28, 
Removed,! 

Sept.  16, 

Sept.  23, 
Dismissed, 


Dec.  13, 
June  12, 


1738 

1728 
1745 

17Gt 
1751 

1750 

175.'» 


1713 

1761 


Sept.  8,         1736/ 


*  Mr.  McKinstry  was  educated  at  Edinburgh ;  died  1757,  ajed  77., 
+  Was  choi9n  rector  of  Yal?  Colieg*. 


lis 


HISTORY  OF 


Mimsters''  jVatnes. 


I);inifl  Newell 
IMos«>s  Hartlftt 
Kl»(!in'7.cr  (juuld 
Julin  Nnrturr 
ilciijaiiWn  Il<>w«rs 
Benjamin  Uoardman 
J«M-ciniaJi  Hobart* 
Pliim^has  Fisk 
Aaron  Cli-vcland 
JuMhiia  Elderkin 
Eluazar  iVIay 
Dudley  Woodbridg« 
Timothy  Woodbridge 
fiidron  Mills 
Bunajah  Root 
IJcnjamin  Rujr^los 
EbiHH'ziM'  Dovolion 
Ebenezfi-  (Jay 
John  Gratia n» 
Nalhanic'l  t'oiiina 
VvU'T  Itiynolds 
John  Soutlmiayd 
Mark  Leavenworth 
John  Tnimbnll 
SamunI  Todd 
Timothy  Stevens 
Aslibel  Woodbridge 
John  i:ells 
Chiliab  Braiiwrd 
Nehemiah  Drainard 
Isaac  Clialkcr 
Jolin  Bliss 
Uenjamin  Pomeroyf 
Stephen  Steele 
Nathan  Williams 
Thomas  W  hite 
George  Colton 
Ebenezer  Kellogg 


JVames  of  Towns. 


Middletown, 
3d  society 
4th  do. 
&th  do. 

Middle  Haddalh 


Haddam 


Simsbiiry, 
Ist  chuich 


Suffield, 
1st  church 

"M  do. 

Enfield 

Wftterbiiry 

Wesfbury 
Northbury 

Glastenbury, 
1st  church 


2d  do. 

Hebron 

Tolland 

Bolton, 
1st  church 
'2d  do. 


fVhen  ordained, 
or  installed. 


Oct  25, 
^une  6, 
December, 
Nov.  29, 
Sept.  14, 
Jan.  5, 
Installed, 


March  3, 

September, 
Aug.  10, 
May, 
June  28, 
Jan.  1.% 
Oct.  22, 


1721 
1733 
1747 
174« 
1740 
1762 
1700 
1714 
1749 
1749 
1756 
1796 
1712 
1744 
17.57 
1698 
1710 
1742 
1746 

1724 


October, 

June  27, 

January, 

January, 

Installed, 

October, 

December, 

February, 

April, 

Oct.  26, 

Nov.  9, 

November, 


1793 
1728 
1759 
1736 
1740 
1744 
1717 
1735 
1722 
1760 
1725 
1763 
1763 


Chap.  XXVf. 

Died,  or  removed. 


Sept.  11,       17;J1 


May  16,        1761 


Dismissed, 
Dismissed, 

Aug.  3, 
Aug  28, 
August, 

Sept.  5, 
April  11, 


1715 
1738 
175.S 
175.1 

1710 
1742 

1754 

170K- 
174  < 


March<         1 740  Aug.  20,        1 79  r 


April  14, 

Aug.  16, 

June  1, 
Nov.  9, 

Dismissed, 


1726 
175a 

1739 
1742 

1734 

1784 
1759 


COUNTY  OF  NEW-HAVEN. 


Joseph  Noyos 
Chauncey  Whittelsey 
Jacob  Hemingway 
Nicholas  Street 
James  Wetmore 
Isaac  Stiles 
Benjamin  Trumbull 
Samuel  Johnson 
Jonathan  Arnold 
Timothy  Allen 
Nathan  Birdseye 
Noah  Williston 


New-Haven, 
1st  church 

East-Haven 


North-Haven 


West-Haven 


I 


July  4, 
March  1, 
October, 
Oct.  8, 

Nov.  11, 
Dec.  24, 


October, 
June, 


1716 
1758 
1711 
1755 
1718 
1724 
1760 
1720 
1725 
1738 
1742 
1760 


Feb.  22,        176d 

June  14,       1761 

October,       1754 

Dismissed,!  1722 
May  14,        1760 

Dismissed,^  1722 
Dismissed,  1734 
Disn^issed,  l?-i2 
Dismissed,   1758 


*  Mr.  HoliHrl  died  in  the  85th  year  of  his  age,  and  15th  of  his  ministry,  in  Haddam 
Mr.  Fi^k  was  at  colic  ere  with  him  about  one  yeai:. 

+  Dr.  Ponicroy  died  in  tL'.  Slst  year  of  his  age,  and  49th  of  his  ministry. 
I  Djc!artd  for  Episcopacy.      *      6  Declared  fyr  Episco|)acy. 


Chap.  XXVI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


529 


1710 

1742 
1754 

170K- 
174  • 


1797' 


172b- 
175S 

173» 
1742 


I76d 


1761 


1754 


I 


Ministers''  Barnes. 

Benjamin  Woodbridge 
Stephen  Hawley 
Samuel  Bird 
Samuel  Andrew 
Samuel  WliitteUey 
Job  Prudden 
Thomas  Rugglcs 
Thomas  Ruggles,  jun'r 
Amos  Fowler 
John  Hart 
Jonathan  Todd 
Samuel  Russell 
John'Richarda 
John  Sprout 
Richard  Ely 
Samuel  Russell 
Philemon  Robbina 
Jonathan  Merrick 
Warhaia  Williams 
Samuel  Whittelsey 
James  Dana 
Samuel  Hall 
Theoohilus  Hall 
Joseph  Moss 
Daniel  Humphreys 
Jonathan  Lyman 
David  Bronson 
Nathaniel  Chauncey 
£lizur  Goodrich 


JSfamesqfTaumsA 


\ 


Iflien  ordaintJ, 
or  ir.staUed. 


\Died,  or  removtJ. 


Amity 
Bethany 
White-Haven 
Milford, 
1st  church 
2d  do. 

Guilford, 
ist  church 

East-Guilford 

Cohabit,  or 
North-Guilford^ 
4th  church 
5th  do. 
Branford, 
1st  church 
2d  do. 
3d  do. 

Wallingford, 
Ist  church 
Cheshire,  2d  do, 
jMeriden,  3d  do. 
i  Derby, 

hurch 

.rd, 
'.    uo. 

Duriiam 


1712 


Inst.  Oct.13, 1751 
1685 
1737 
1747 
1795 
1729 
1758 


Nov.  18, 
Dec.  9, 
May, 
Nov.  20, 
March, 
June  3, 
November,  1687 
Oct  23,  1732 
June,  1725 

November,  1748 
April  17,  1748 
June  3,  1758 

Probably,  1687 
Feb.  7, 


April, 
Oct.  12, 
December,- 
Oct.  29, 
About 

October, 
April  25, 
Feb.'7, 
J  Nov.  24, 


Jan.  24. 


Died» 


1738 


1728 


March,  1732 


Januar}', 
Dismissed, 


1746 

176!> 


1732 
1727 

1710 
1758 
1724 
1729 
1706 
1733 
1745 
1764 
1711 
1756 


June  25,        1731 


April  15,       1752 


Oct  19, 
Feb.  1, 


1731 


n(^ 


1756 


COUNTY  OF  NEW-LONDON. 


Eliphalet  Adams 
Mather  Byles 
James  Hillhouse 
David  Jewett 
Thomas  Buckingham 
Azariah  Mather 
William  Hart 
Abraham  Nott 
Stephen  Holmes 
John  Devotion 
Jared  Harrison 
Simeon  Stoddard 
James  Noyes 
Ebenezer  KusseU 
Joseph  Fish 
Nathaniel  Eells 
John  Woodward 
Benjamin  Lordt 


New-London, 
Ist  church 

2d  do. 

Saybrook, 
1st  church 

2d  do. 
3d  do. 
4th  do. 
Stonington 
North  society 
East  do. 
Norwich 


February,  1709 
Nov.  18,  1757 
Inst  Oct  3, 1722 
Oct  9,  1739 


Nov,  17,       1736 


•'■y  ■■ 

September,  1674 
Feb.  22,  1727 
Dec.  27,  1732 
July  14,        1733 

November,  1717 


April,  175I> 

Dismissed, 


Dec  30,  1719* 
Died,  May  2S, 
[1731 


Died  Mar.4, 1784 


•  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Noyes,  Stonington  was  divided  inlo  two  societies. 

t  Dr.  Lord  died  about  90  years  of  age.  He  was  sole  pastor  of  the  church  until  \p% 
84th  year,  and  died  in  the  67th  year  of  his  ministry.  Purisg  bis  ninistrjr,  the  tuwa 
was  divided  into  eight  ecclesiastical  societies.     ..,,      .-.,  -        -.  .-.. 

R3 


g.iO 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXVI. 


MininUra'  JVume.t. 


If.TiryWillia 
John  It^llis 
lliinifl  Kirtland 
PeUT  Powers 
Bi^njaminThroop 
.^am\  Eliioft 
William  Si-itard 
Kphraim  Woodbridge 
.loliii  Owen 
Samuel  Kirtland 
Jonathan  Bai'lter 
Klienezer  Punderson 
Andrew  Croswell 
•iaeob  Johnson 
IMoses  Noyesf 
Samuel  Pierpont 
Jonathan  Parsonsl 
Stephen  Johnson 
!Cbenezer  Mack 
Georg-j  Griswold 
George  Bcekwith 
Salmon  Treat 
Asher  Rossiter 
Hczektah  Lord 
Jjevi  Hart 
John  Bulkley 
Ephniim  Little 
Joseph  Lovett 
Judah  Lewis 
Thomas  Skinner 
liobert  Bobbins 


yhmes  of  Touma. 

Norwieh, 
Sd  church 

3d  do. 

4th  do.  Bozrah 
Killingworth 

N.  Killing  worth 

I 

'<jlroton, 
list  church 

2d  do. 
3d  do. 

Lyme, 
lat  church 


2d  do. 

dddo. 
Preston, 
1st  church 

2d  do, 

Colchester, 
Ist  church 
2d  do. 

3d  do.  Chester 


ff'hen  ordained, 
or  intt'tUed. 


Oct.  8, 

Dec.  10, 
Dec.  2, 
Jan.  3, 
Oct.  26, 

Nov.  8, 
Nov.  -22, 
Dec.  ID, 
Nov.  8, 
Dec.  25, 

June, 

Dec  10, 

Dv  •  10, 


1718 
1753 
1723 
1756 
17&8 
1709 

1704 
1727 
1757 
1758 
1729 
1736 
1748 
1603 
1724 

1746 


Died,  or  removed 
Dismissed,  1759 
Dismissed 


April  22, 
Died, 


1763 


Nov.  16,  1698 

March  14,  1741 

Nov.  20,  1720 

Nov.  4,  1762 

December,  1703 

Sept.  20,  1739 
1710 

Dec.  17,  1729 

April,  1742 

October,  1764 


1724 

1758 
Dismissed,   1758 

Dismissed'* 
Resigned,     1746 

rf.-r  ■  ■ 

Drowned,     172.7 


Res'd,  Mar.  1744 
June,  1761 

June,  1731 

Dismissed,  1745 
October,      176?.' 


COUNTY  OF  FAIRFIELD. 


Stratford, 
1st  church 


1694 
1733 
1715 
1742 
1726 


June, 

May, 


1763 
1733 
1753 
1757 
1709 
1722 
1753 


Sept.  19, 
Nov.  28, 

Died, 


1741 


1749 


Joseph  Webb  ?  Fairfield,  Aug.  15,       1694  Sept.  19,       IISS, 

Noah  Hobart  \  1st  church  Feb.  7, 

Paiiiel  Chapman  >  2d  do.  Oct.  26, 

Daniel  Buckljigham  S  Green  Farms  March  19, 

John  Goodsell     '  /  3d  do.  May  18, 

Seth  Poraeroy  ^  Greenfield 

James  Johnson   <  North-Fairfield     D;;c.  14, 

Nathaniel  HunnJj  >  4th  do.  March  21, 

Nathaniel  Bartlett  J  Reading  May  28, 

Samuel  Sherwood  Northfield  Aug.  17, 

Timothy  CuUerll 

Hezekiah  Gould 

Israhiah  W^ctmore 

*  He  professed  episcopacy. 

i  Mr.  Noye.i  preached  27  year«  ia  Lyme  before  his  orcHnation,  because  no  chaerfi 
could  be  formed  there  till  tliat  tiaie. 

:):Mr.  Parsons  removed  to  Newbarjport,  and  was  considered  as  a  gentleman  of  very 
respectable  character.  « 

^  Mr.  Hunn*8  widow  lived  to  be  a  hundred  yean  old. 

||  Chooen  rector  of  Yale  Colldfe,  1719.  .  In  1722,  WB«  Kmoved  frtAn  his  office  in  the 
CQllege,  as  he  bad  profeiBped  episcopacy.  «-,,  ;- 


1710 
DisDussed,  1752 


4;hap.  XXVI. 


CONNECTICUT. 


jJI 


MinisUra'  .Yames. 


(Jhari«i»  Chaitncey 
Samui^l  Cooke 
Robert  Ross 
iedediah  MilU 
Richardson  Minor 
Jainus  Beebe 
Mr.  BosUvick 
Ebenezcr  Davenport 
Robert  Morris 
Mr.  Sackett 
Stephen  Monson 
Abraham  Todd 
John  Daveiiiur/rt 
Ebenezer  Wright 
Noah  Wells 
Moses  Math  r 
Robert  Silliu  aa 
Benjamin  Strong 
Stephen  Buckingham 
Moses  Dickinson 
Robert  Sherwood 
William  Gaylord 
Seth  Shove 
Ebenezer  White 
Thomas  Brooks 
Noah  Wetmore 
David  Jadaon 
Jonathan  IngersoU 
Benajah  Case 
James  Taylor 
Thomas  Lewis 
Elijah  Sill 


Samuel  Whiting 
Thomas  Clap 
Stephen  White 
William  Billings 
Samuel  Mosely 
Ebenezer  Devotion 
Joseph  Coit 
David  Rowland 
Samuel  Easterbrooks 
John  Wadsworth 
James  Cogswell 
Ebenezer  \VilUa.n3 
Richard  Salter 
William  Throop 
Daniel  Welch 


.VamesnJ'Town$. 


Stratfield 

Ripton 

North-Stratford 

Greenwich, 
1st  church 

West-wreenwich 

Stamford, 
1st  church 

2d  do.  Middleseji^ 

Canaan 

Stanwick 

Norwalk, 

Ist  church 

2d  do.  Wilton 

Danbury, 

1st  church 

ad  do.  Newbury 

3d  do.  Bethel 

Newtown 

Ridgefield 

New-Fairfield 
North  society 


Februar}-,     1721 
January,       IJiiO 


lyhfn  ordaiiitJ, 
or  itisiaUftl. 


MHy29, 


May, 
Dec.  31, 


June  17, 
Nov.  17, 

July  20, 
Feb.  13,. 

March  10, 
Sept  28, 
Nov.  25, 


1717 

i7ia 

1733 

1694 
1732 
1746 


COUNTY  OP  WINDHAM. 


Windham, 
Ist  church 

2d  do. 
3d  do. 
Pbanfield 

Canfei'bury 

Mansfield, 
1st  church 

Sddo.j 


Nov.  4, 
Aug.  3, 
Dec.  24, 
May  20, 
May  15, 
Oct.  22, 
January, 
March  16, 
June  18, 
March  28, 
Dec.  28, 
Oct.  18, 
June  27, 
Oct.  11, 
June  29, 


i/iVJ,  or  rtmoi'fJ. 


Dlamiimsd,  1712°" 


May, 


17^7 
17dO 


February,     1731 
May,  17'1« 


:r''^' 


1735 
1697 
1727 
1726 
1732 
1096 
1736 
1758 
1760 


Re8ign'd,Feb.24, 

[1727 

Dismissed,  1732 

Oct.  3,    1735 


Nov.  9,  1742 

March  29,  1758 

March  28,  1744 

Oct.  17,  1751 


Dismissed,  175S 


1700 

1720 

1740 

1733 

1734 

1735 

1703 

1748 

1711 

1729^ 

1744 

1710 

1744 

1744) 

1752 


Sept.  27,   1725 
Removed,  Dec. 
[10,  1739t 

July  26,   1791 

IV,.  chia,  1748 
Dis'd,Ap.23,1761 
June  26,  1727 
March  1,      1741 

Sept.  20,       1742 

June  13,       1746 


*  Mr.  Minor  declared  for  episcopacy,  1742.  He  went  for  orders,  and  died  in  Eng- 
land. 

t  Mr,  Clap  was  chosen  rector  of  Tale  College,  and  installed  in  hia  office,  April  2J, 
1740.  He  presided  over  the  college  with  gr^ftt  ability  aoH  reputation,  for  about  Ti 
years.  He  resigned  ^  office,  Sept,  I0t|j,  1764.  He  cted  at  ^ew-HaveD,  Jan.  7th,  no?. 


532 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXVI. 


Mim$Ura'  JVamea. 

James  Hale 
John  Bass 
Timothy  Allen 
Joseph  rarsons 
Samuel  Wells 
Solomon  Williams 
Mr.  Smith, 
William  Gager, 
Eleazar  Wheelock 
Jacob  Elliott 
Ebenezer  Williams 
Aaron  Putnam 
Ephraim  Avery 
Josiah  Whitney 
David  Ripley 
Jo»iah  Dwiglit    ' 
Amos  Throop     ) 
Abel  S.  Stiles       ' 
Abiel  Leonard 
Stenhen  Williai^* 
Seth  Paine 
Eli  Colton 
JohnWillaril 
Isaac  Foster 
Samuel  Dorrance| 
John  Fisk 
Payley  Howe 
Aaron  Brown 
Martin  Cabot 
Noadiah  Russell 
Nehemiah  Barker 
Samuel  Wadsworth 
Eclen  Burroughs 


J/amuo/7\>wtu, 

H^hen  ordained, 
or  inataUed. 

Nov  26, 

1718 

Ashford 

Sept.  7, 

1743 

Oct.  12, 

1751 

LfCbanon, 
Ist  church 

Nov.  27, 
Dec.  5, 
Dec.  5, 

1700 
1710 
1722 
1720 

2d  do. 

May  47, 

1725 

" 

1739 

do. 

1728 

■      mf-^t,^ 

Oct.  26, 

1715 

i  at  cliurch 

March  10, 

1756 

2d  do. 

Sept  4, 
Feb.  4, 

1735 
1756 

3d  do. 

Feb.  21, 

1753 
1690 

Woodstock, 

May  24, 

1727 

Ist  churchj 

July  27, 

*1737 

.'  ■•>  <  •  -■ 

June  23, 

+1763 

July  27, 

1747 

Slaffo-tl, 
1st  ci.-arch 

March  23, 

1734 
1.744 
1757 

2d  do. 

Oct  31, 

1764 

Voluntown 

1723 

Killingly, 

.stiv 

1715 
1746 

1st  church 

1754 

2d  do. 

Feb.  6, 

1730 

since  Thompson 

Nov.  9, 

1757 

1746 

3d  do. 

1747 

1760 

DUd,  or  removed. 


October, 


1742 
1751 


1708 
Di8'd,Dec.4,1722 


May  27, 
May, 


1725 
1739 


M.irchSS,     1753 
Oct  20,        1754 


Sept.  3, 
Sept.  10, 


•♦.( 


July  20, 
June  8, 


Nov.  12, 


1726 
1735 
1760 


1740 
1756 


1775 
1741 
1753 

1756 


Timothy  Collins 
Judah  Champion 
Daniel  Boardman 
Nathaniel  Taylor 
Zachariah  Walker 
Anthony  Stoddard 
Noah  Benedict 
Jobn  Graham 
Thomas  Canfield 
Andrew  Bartholomew 
Jonathan  Marsh, 
Nathaniel  Roberts 
Elij;>»  Webster 
Daniel  Farrand 


COUNTY  OF  LITCHFIELD/ 


April, 
Dismissed,  1763 


r.t  L. 


Litchfield 

New'Milford 

Woodbury, 
Ist  church 

2ddo,Southbury 
3d  do.  Roxbury 
Hanvinton 
Ne^-Hartford 
Torrington 

Canaan 


June  19, 
July  4, 

June  29, 
May  5, 
May  27, 
Oct  22, 
Jap.  17, 
Augast, 
About 
October, 

Oct  1, 

Aug.  12, 


1723 
1753 
1716 
1748 
1670 
1702 
1760 
1733 
1744 
1737 
1739 
1741 
1740 
1752 


Dismissed,  Oct. 
[14,  1752 
1744 


Sept  6, 


1700 
1760 


:;s 


Dismissed,  Oct. 
[14,  1752 

*  On  a  division  of  the  society,  in  1760,  Mr.  Stiles  removed  to  the  north  society, 
where  he  died,  July  25thj  1783,  in  the  76th  year  of  his  age,  and  46th  of  his  ministry, 
t  Mr.  Leonard  came  to  an  untimely  end,  by  laying  violent  hands  upon  himself. 
%  Mr.  Dorrance  died  in  the  47th  year  of  his  ministry,  wd  in  the  90th  y«a^  of  b^s  ag«^ 


# 


[XVI. 

Chap.  XXVI. 

HISTORY  OF 

533 

emoved. 

Mimdtrt'  Niamu. 

MtmuofTotma. 

H'heH  vrdaintd,, 
qr  itutalied. 

Died,  or  rtmated. 

1744 

Mr.  Pratt                         i 

17&1 

Juhn  Searle                     \ 

Sharon 

Cotton  Smith                 \ 

Aug.  28, 

1755 

1708 

Stephen  Heaton              \ 

Goshen 

1740 

Dismissed,   175S 

:.4,17aa 

Abel  Newell                   \ 

1754 

Cyrus  Marsh                   4 
Joel  Bordweil                 \ 

Kent, 

Maya, 

1741 

175« 

1745 

l8t  church 

Oct.  8, 

1758 

•    r.    v 

1789 

Sylvanus  Osbom 

2d  do 

Jan.  20, 

1757 

'     i 

Jonathan  Lee 

Salisbury 

Nov.  23, 

1744 

Ammi  R.  Robbins 

Norfolk 

October, 

1761 

.-.^,,r,- 

,     1753 

Reuben  Judd                  i 
Daniel  Brinsmadc           \ 

Parish  of  Judea 

March  1, 

i;4« 

1748 

i74ir 

1754 

:^oah  Wadhams 

New-PrestoQ      ' 

1757 

■  1-' 

1726 

'  ^ 

1735 

1  t  ,.i'  ■  ?*■•,,:  i   -V  ,'                '■.  ':  >  ".           ■•;  •■  .  ' 

i 

1760 

1740 

•"     l;!  '  '  1    ,-S«S     !■•     r-li        ..'     .          ,            *           ■,               f       .                     •              ,      •     . 

1756 

V--.  .^.i    : 

1775 

1741 

-ti'uv     1    .f;'..(  ". ■>.v';    :                                        :    ,      ■ 

1753 

'■->  ■•■►  .  >■;'    '*■  v/    Jv  ■'  ■;           ,       . 

1756 

• 

-  • 

d,   1763 

,-;-    vw  •          ■       .  :;'  '  Jr 

„  ■  * 

.:  ,     '     » 

1700 
1760 


V'^'jri 


vr 


;;rite'>':'-  ;.  bfs-x  *■, 


•  •■      -  i^-f^  •;   '_f;,j;    ,1.-/.:     ....'    ^-    ;    •  •. 


sit}"i^'v 


>F 


&11 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXVII. 


Book  If. 


:l    .' 


^m      '.        J  u    y,y,^i. 


CHAPTP^R  XXVII. 


History  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  ministers  in  Couneiii- 
cut,from  1713  to  1764. 

THE  episcopal  church  in  Slratford  is  the  oldest  of  that 
denoaiinatiou  in  the  state.  Of  the  origin  of  this,  an 
account  was  given  in  the  first  volume  of  this  history.  But, 
episcopacy  made  very  little  progress  in  Connecticut,  unlit 
after  the  declaration  of  rector  Cutler,  Mr.  Johnson,  Mr. 
Wetrnore  and  Mr.  Brown,  for  episcopacy,  in  1 722.  Num- 
bers of  Mr.  Johnson's  and  of  Mr.  Wetmore's  hearers  pro- 
fessed episcopacy  with  them,  and  set  up  the  worship  of 
God,  according  to  the  manner  of  the  church  of  England,  in 
West  and  North-Haven.  Mr.  afterw.irds  Dr.  Johnson, 
was  a  gentleman  distinguished  for  literature,  of  popular 
talents  and  engaging  manners.  In  1724,  after  receiving 
cj)i3copal  ordinulion  in  England,  he  returned  to  Stratford, 
and  under  his  ministry,  to  that  and  the  neighboring  church^* 
cs  of  that  denomination,  they  were  increased. 

About  the  year  1722,  or  1723,  public  worship,  accord- 
ing to  the  liturgy  of  the  church  of  England,  was  first  per- 
formed in  Fairfield,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Picket,  then  mission- 
ary at  Stratford.  There  were  then  six  families  only,  of  the 
denomination  of  episcopalians  in  the  town.  Mr.  Johnson, 
who  succeeded  Mr.  Picket,  preached  to  them  occasionally 
and  administered  the  sacraments.  In  1725,  they  were  so 
increased,  that  they  were  able  to  erect  a  small  house  for 
public  worship.  Two  years  after,  they  purchased  a  small 
glebe  and  parsonage  house,  and  sent  an  account  of  their 
state  and  proceedings,  to  the  society  in  England,  fqr 
propogating  the  gospel  in  foreign  parts.  They  desired 
the  society  to  appoint  Mr.  Henry  Canner  to  be  their  priest. 
They  succeeded  in  their  application.  Mr.  Canner  wa'*>  a 
man  of  talents  and  agreeable  manners.  He  was  highly 
esteemed  by  his  people,  and  under  his  ministrations  the 
church  increased,  so  that  they  found  their  house  of  wor- 
ship too  small  for  their  accommodation  ;  and  in  1 758,  they 
erected  a  second  house  of  worship,  with  a  steeple  and  bell. 
But,  in  1744,  Mr.  Canner,  to  the  very  great  grief  of  his 
people,  was  removed  to  Boston.  He  officiated  in  king's 
chapel  until  1 775.  On  the  commencement  of  the  revolu- 
tionary war,  he  returned  to  England,  and  died  at  a  great 
age,  in  the  land  of  his  nativity. 

To  Mr.  Canner  succeeded  the  Rev.  Joseph  Lamson, 
in  1745, 


Chap.  XXVII. 


CONNECTICUT. 


43^ 


•  priest. 
wri*>  a 
highly 
ons  the 
jf  woi- 
>8, they 
d  bell, 
of  his 
king's 
revoTu- 
great 

Lamson^ 


On  the  Q6lh  of  September,  1725,  an  episcopal  church  Book  11. 
was  formed  in  New-London.     Their  first  priest  was  tlie  v^ 
Ucv.  Samuel  Seabury,  appointed  April  10th,  1732.     He 
continued   with   the   people  until  1743,  when  he  remov- 
ed to  Hempstead,  on  Long-Island.     To  him  succeeded  the 
Rev.  Matthew  Graves,  April  26th,  1 748. 

About  the  year  1734,  episcocapy  commenced  at  He- 
bron. The  Rev.  John  Bliss,  the  first  minister  of  the  town, 
having  been  dismissed  from  his  pastoral  labors,  in  that 
church  and  congregation,  by  an  ecclesiastical  council,  soon 
after  declared  for  episcopacy,  and  a  number  of  his  wann 
adherents  declared  with  him.  Jn  1735,  they  erected  a 
church  house.  He  preached  to  them  and  read  service  for 
a  nuinber  of  years,  but  was  never  in  orders. 

After  his  death,  Mr.  Seabury,  o.  New-London,  visited 
them  four  or  five  times  a  year,  preached  and  administered 
the  sar.raments  to  them,  and  was  allowed  ten  pounds  a  year 
for  his  services  at  Hebron. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Dean  went  to  England,  and  took  orders 
for  the  church  at  Hebron,  but  died  at  sea,  dn  his  return, 
about  the  year  1745.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Punderson,  of  Gro- 
ton,  then  preached  to  them  and  administered  the  sacra* 
ments  from  1746  to  1752.  The  people  at  Hebron,  were 
very  unfortunate  with  respect  to  the  gentlemen  who  went 
to  England  for  orders  in  their  behalf.  A  Mr.  Cotton,  itt 
1 752,  received  orders  for  them,  but  he  died  on  his  pas- 
sage for  New-England,  with  the  small  pox.  Mr.  Graves, 
of  New-London,  served  them  from  1752  to  1757.  In 
1 757,  one  Mr.  Usher  went  for  orders  in  their  behalf.  He 
was  taken  by  the  French  on  his  passage  to  England,  and 
■died  in  captivity. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Peters  was  ordained  their  priest,  in 
August,  1 759,  and  the  next  year  returned  to  New-Eng- 
land. He  continued  priest  at  Hebron,  until  the  commence- 
ment of  the  revolutionary  war,  soon  after  which,  he  left 
this  country  for  Great-Britain.  ;    ir;i 

In  1737,  an  episcopal  church  was  incorporated  at  Nor- 
walk,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Canner.  It  continued  under  his 
care  until  his  brother,  the  Rev.  Richard  Canner,  arrived^ 
in  orders,  from  England,  and  became  its  priest.  He  offi- 
ciated there  four  or  five  years,  and  then  removed  to  Staten*- 
Island.  In  1751,  Mr.  John  Fowle  was  recommended  to 
the  society  in  England,  for  orders,  for  that  church.  He 
returned  in  orders,  and  officiated  there  abott  five  years. 
The  people  by  that  time,  were  so  dissatisfied  with  his  mor- 
al conduct,  that  he  was  dismissed.  To  hiiri  succeeded  the 
Rev.  Jeremiah  Learning. 


S3G 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXVIf. 


Book  II.  About  llir  year  1736  or  1737,  an  episcopal  church  w.\s 
iortneti  in  what  was  called  Norwich  long  scKricly.  The 
Kcv.  F^bcnezcr  Pundcrson  was  appointed  their  missiona- 
ry. He  had  been  pastor  of  the  second  church  in  Gro- 
ton.  In  1 733,  he  professed  himself  to  be  a  conformist  to 
the  church  of  Kngland.  Some  time  afterwards  he  went  to 
Engbnd,  and  became  priest  of  that  church  for  several 
years. 

About  the  same  time,  several  people  appeared  to  be 
churchmen  in  Newtown  and  Watcrbury.  The  Rev.  John 
Beach  was  appointed  incumbent  over  the. episcopalians  in 
Newtown.  In  1737,  there  were  but  two  or  three  families 
of  church  people  in  Waterbury,  and  they  increased  very 
little,  until  the  year  1742,  when  a  considerable  number  of 
families  professed  themselves  to  be  of  the  church  of  Eng- 
land ;  and  went  off  from  the  congregation  to  which  they 
formerly  belonged,  and  joined  that  communion.  Soon  af- 
ter, a  church  house  was  erected.  Before  this,  one  Mr. 
Arnold  preached  to  them  a  few  times.  He  had  been  minis- 
ter at  West-Haven,  and,  imbibing  episcopacy,  he  went  to 
England,  and  took  orders  for  West-Haven  and  Derby. 
He  returned  about  the  year  1 737.  He  preached  to  them  a 
few  years,  and  then  removed  to  Staten  Island.  Dr.  John- 
son of  Stratford,  and  Mr.  Beach  of  Newtown,  visited  them 
occasionally,  preached  and  administered  the  ordinances  to 
them.  Soon  after  the  erecting  of  their  church  house,  one 
Mr.  Morris  was  appointed,  by  the  society  in  England,  to 

Breach  to  them  and  other  churches  of  that  denomination. 
[e  continued  but  a  short  time,  and  it  seems  that,  not  liking 
the  country,  he  returned  to  Europe. 

An  episcopal  church  and  congregation  had  been  formed 
at  Derby,  and  one  Mr.  Lyon  was  appointed  missionary 
for  Derby  and  Waterbury.  .  He  continued  with  them  a- 
bout  four  or  five  years,  and  then  removed  to  Long-Island. 
To  him  succeeded  the  Rev.  Richard  Mansfield,  about  the 
year  1 749.  He  preached  part  of  the  time  at  Derby  and 
the  other  part  at  Waterbury,  until  the  year  1758.  By  this 
time,  the  church  in  Waterbury  had  greatly  increased.  In 
the  society  of  Northbury,  a  majority  of  the  people  were, 
for  a  time,  churchmen,  and  the  Rev.  James  Scovil  was  ap- 
pointed their  missionary. 

In  1 740,  a  church  house  was  erected  at  Ripton.  The 
church  in  this  place  was  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Johnson^ 
until  the  year  1 755,  when  the  Rev.  Christopher  Newton 
was  appointed  their  missionary. 

The  church  was  formed  in  Stamford  in  1 747,  and  anoth- 
er small  one  soon  after  at  Greenwich.  Their  only  mis- 
si^ary  has  been  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibble. 


Chap.  XXVIJ. 


CONNECTICUT. 


Mt 


1704. 


AIkjuI  the  year  1750,  a  church  profossing  episcopacy  Book  II. 
commenced  at  Middlctown,  and,  two  years  after,  they 
erected  them  a  handsome  church,  with  a  steeple  and  hell. 
In  1751,  Mr.  Ichabnd  Camp  went  to  Rngland  for  oiilina- 
tion,  with  n  view  to  the  church  in  Middlctown  and  Walling- 
ford.  In  Waliinffford,  there  were  thirteen  subscribers  for 
him,  ten  in  the  nrst  society  and  three  in  Cheshire.  In 
North-Haven,  there  were  two  only.  He  returned  in  1752, 
with  an  appointment  of  missionary  for  Middletown  and 
Wallin^ford.  In  1760,  he  IcA  Middletown,  and  removed 
to  Louisburg  in  Virginia.  To  him  succeeded  the  Rev. 
Abraham  Jarvis,  afterwards  bishop  Jarvis,  in  the  church 
at  Middletown  ;  and  the  Rev.  Samuel  Andrews  in  the 
church  at  Wallingford.  He  supplied  the  church  at  North- 
Haven,  once  in  four  sabbaths. 

In  New-Haven,  the  church  of  England  commenced 
about  the  same  time  as  that  at  Middletown.  The  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Punderson  was  their  first  and  only  priest  from 
1 755  to  1 762,  when  he  removed  to  Rye,  in  the  state  of 
New- York.  He  generally  officiated  once  in-  four  sabbaths 
at  North-Haven,  while  he  continued  in  New-Haven.  To 
him  succeeded  the  Rev.  Solomon  Palmer,  in  1 763. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1 764,  to  which  this  history  is 
brought  down,  there  wer6  thirteen  ministers  of  the  episco- 
pal denomination  in  the  colony.  They  had  pluralities. 
Few  of  them  were  confined  to  one  church  only. 

They  were  missionaries  from  the  society  for  propagat- 
ing the  gospel  in  foreign  parts.  They  generally  had  a 
salary  from  the  society,  of  about  fifty  pounds  sterling,  up- 
on an  average  :  some  had  more  and  some  less. 

The  churches  were  supplied  with  books  suited  to  their 
mode  of  worship,  from  the  society  in  England.  To  them 
the  missionaries  annually  transmitted  an  account  of  then* 
labors  and  churches.  This  was  the  state  of  the  episco- 
pal churches,  in  Coonecticut,  until  the  Apierican  revQhi- 
tion. 


A 


ItooK  If. 


HISTORY  OF  Chaf.  XXVIll 


CHAPTER  XXVIll. 

Sketches  of  the  Separates  and  Baptitts, 

OF  the  scpanition  from  the  standing  churches,  an  ac 
count  has  been  givoii,  and  of  the  disorders  and  op 
prcssions  of  those  times  wiicn  they  commenced.  Churcn- 
es  of  this  character  were  formed  in  New- London,  Stoning- 
toii,  IVcston,  Norwich,  Lyme,  Canterbury,  Piainfiehl, 
Windsor,  SufTield  and  Middletown.  Some  ot  their  church- 
es anti  congregations  were  nearly  ns  large  as  some  of  the 
standing  churches.  There  were  ten  or  twelve  churches 
and  congregations  of  this  denomination,  first  and  last,  in 
the  colony.  Some  of  them  carried  their  enthusiasm  to  a 
greater  extreme  than  others,  in  Neyv- London,  they  car- 
ried it  to  such  a  degree,  that  they  made  a  large  fire  to  burn 
their  books,  clothes,  and  ornaments,  which  they  called 
their  idols  ;  and  which  they  now  determined  to  forsakf;  and 
utterly  to  put  away.  This  imaginary  work  of  piety  and 
iielf-denial  they  undertook  on  the  LonPs  day,  and  brought 
their  clothes,  books,  necklaces  and  jewels  together,  in 
the  main  street.  They  began  with  burning  their  en'one- 
ous  books  :  dropping  thorn  one  after  another  into  the  fire, 
pronouncing  these  words,  "  If  the  author  of  this  book  died 
in  the  same  sentiments  and  faith  in  which  he  wrote  it,  as 
the  smoke  of  this  pile  ascends,  so  the  smoke  of  his  torment 
will  ascend  forever  and  ever.  Hallelujah.  Amen.^'  But 
they  Vvcre  prevented  from  burning  their  clothes  and  jew- 
els. John  Lee,  of  Lyme,  told  them  his  idols  were  his  wife 
and  children,  and  that  he  could  not  burn  them  ;  it  would 
he  contrary  to  the  laws  of  God  and  man  :  Tliat  it  was  im- 
possible to  destroy  idolatry  without  a  change  of  heart,  and 
of  the  affections^ 

How  much  they  held  to  a  miraculous  and  immediate  as- 
sistance of  the  Spirit,  in  theii'  performances,  may  appear 
by  a  charge  given  to  elder  Paul  Parks,  of  Preston,  at  his 
ordination.  He  was  solemnly  charged  not  to  premeditate, 
oi-  think,  before  hand,  what  he  should  speak  to  the  people ; 
but  to  speak  as  the  Spirit  should  give  him  utterance.  The 
preachers  of  this  denomination  were  laymen,  and  their  or- 
dinations were  of  the  same  sort. 

Their  zeal  and  enthusiasm  abated  as  they  were  kindly 
treated,  and  the  oppressive  laws  were  repealed. 

For  this  purpose  the  dissenters  in  England  deeply  in- 
terested themselves.    They  had  a  committee  to  guard 


OiiAP.  XXVIII. 


rONNRCTirCT. 


53r> 


tht'ir  libtTtiis,  .ninl  to  <)f)|M»si'  :ill  mciisiiros  >\lii(  li  mi^ht  ho  Hook  II, 
r)tu>ni|>i<'d  to  ititririi;r  tliirn.  At  ilic  IkmiI  nt  this,  \\.\n  Dr.  ^^ 
Avery,  a  very  noUil  iuid  irilliuiiti.-tl  ^fniU'tnaii.  lie  wrote 
to  a  gi'iitlemuii  in  New-Kii^hiiul,  *•  i  :mu  \<Ty  sorry  to 
hcnr  ot'tlic  pcrsccutint^  spirit  ili;ii  nrevails  in  (-otuicMtinif. 
It  is  uiiaccuuntabic,  that  those  who  live  wiid  hreathe  hy 
liberty,  <thoiil(l  deny,  it  to  their  brethren.  If  any  gentle- 
men that  jjufftT  by  these  eoertivv  laws  will  apply  to  me, 
I  will  use  my  inlluence  that  justice  shall  be  done  them."* 
This  letter  was  read  in  the  General  Assembly.  In  conse- 
«{ucnce  of  it,  governor  Law  wrote  to  Dr.  Avery,  aequainl- 
mg  him  with  the  disorders  nnd  exlrtvni^ancies  into  which 
the  people  ran,  under  a  pretence  of,  and  zeal  for  religion, 
which  nad  occasioned  such  laws  to  curb  their  excesses. 
The  Dr.  replied,  that  he  disliked  such  wildness  and  disor- 
der as  much  as  he  did ;  but  that  civil  penalties  were  not 
the  proper  remedy  to  heal  them.  U|)on  a  revision  of  the 
laws  soon  after,  the  laws  which  had  given  so  much  trouble 
and  done  so  much  dishonor  to  the  colony,  were  expunged, 
or  left  out.  The  churches  of  this  denomination  arc  now 
generally  extinct.  Some  have  returned  to  the  standing 
churches,  but  they  have  generally  turned  baptists. 

With  respect  to  this  denomination  of  christians,  there 
were  but  a  few  of  them  in  the  colony,  at  the  period  to 
which  this  history  comes  down.  The  first  appearance  of 
them,  in  Connecticut,  was  at  Groton,  about  the  year  1700. 
In  17/0,  Mr.  Valentine  Wightman  was  ordained  their 
pastor.  lie  continued  in  his  ministry  with  them  between 
ihirty  and  forty  years.  He  died,  June  9lh,  1747.  He  was 
succeeded  by  elder  Daniel  Fisk,  from  Rhode-Island,  who 
was  installed  in  autumn  of  the  same  year.  He  continued 
with  them  in  ministry  about  ten  years,  and  was  dismissed. 
To  him  succeeded  Mr.  Timothy  Wightman,  son  of  their, 
first  pastor,  who  was  ordained,  May  20th,  1756. 

There  were  a  few  baptists  in  New-London  and  Lyme. 
In  1 720,  they  called  one  Stephen  Gorton,  a  young  man, 
who  was  a  warm  exhorter,  from  Rhode- Island,  to  be  their 
teacher ;  he  was  ordained  by  elder  Wightman.  He  was 
supposed  to  be  a  descendant  of  Gorton,  who  gave  uo 
much  trouble  in  Massachusetts,  in  the  first  settlement  of 
that  state.  He  was  brought  up  in  great  ignorance.  When 
he  came  to  New-London  he  married  a  Connecticut  girl, 
and  she  learned  him  to  read  and  write.  This  church  and 
congregation  increased  to  a,bout  an  hundred  and  fifty  mem- 

•  Manuscripts  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Birdseye.  It  is  probable,  that  the  gen- 
tleman to  whom  the  letter  was  addressed,  was  rector  Williams,  for  Mr 
I'irdseje  says,  he  shewed  bim  the  lette^. 


i 


!'!' 


540 


HISTORY  OF 


Chap.  XXVIK. 


Book  H.  bers,  ar«d  vvre  respectable  among  the  baptists  in  Rhodt;- 
'  Island.  They  attended  their  general  meetings.  The 
ministers  in  the  vicinity  of  New-London  began  to  be  a- 
larmed ;  and  as  they  understood  that  Wightman  of  Gjo- 
ton,  Moss  of  Providence,  Gorton  of  New>London,  and 
one  Hitchcock,  a  seventh  day  baptist,  were  about  to  meet 
at  Lyme,  for  the  propagation  of  their  opinions,  on  the  7th 
of  June,  1737,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Adams  of  New-London, 
Bulkley  of  Colchester,  Griswold,  Noyes  and  Mather,  met 
with  them,  by  agreement,  and  they  had  a  public  disputa- 
tion, v^n  the  points  of  difference  between  them.  But  they 
parted  mucn  as  they  began,  each  retaining  their  formei- 
opinions.  There  were,  probably,  a  few  scattering  bap- 
tists at  Lyme,  attached  to  Gorton's  congregation,  which 
was  gathered  from  different  places. 

Gorton  was  not  of  a  good  moral  character.  Soon  after 
the  disputation  at  Lyme,  he  was  accused  of  sodomy,  by 
his  own  church ;  and,  after  many  trials  before  them,  the 
cause  was  referred  to  a  general  meeting  of  the  baptists  in 
Rhode-Island.  Many  witnesses  appeared  against  him,  and 
the  general  meeting  condemned  his  conduct  as  unworthy 
of  an  elder,  and  advised  the  church  to  dismiss  him*  He 
persisted  in  his  office,  but  it  scattered  his  congregation, 
and  left  but  very  few  hearers. 

A  number  of  baptists  appeared  in  Wallingford,  about 
the  year  1735.  They  consisted  of  about  ten  families. 
They  built  them  a  small  house  of  worship,  in  which  they 
assembled  for  a  number  of  years.  Their  first  elder  was 
Timothy  Waters,  who  was  succeeded  by  John  Merriman. 
They  were  laymen  of  tio  great  talents,  and  the  church,  ma- 
ny years  since,  became  extinct.  As  late  as  the  year  1 764, 
it  does  not  appear  that  there  was  one  family  of  that  de- 
nomination in  the  town. 

There  were  a  considerable  number  of  baptists  in  the  so- 
ciety of  Weston,  and  a  small  number  in  Greenwich,  on  the 
Jine  between  Connecticut  and  New- York.  It  is  believed 
that  these  were  all  the  baptists  in  Connecticut,  before  the 
year  1764. 


r;-::(  •. 


'  .  1  ■  V«, 


3-1  :-,/Ai 


''  -'i.f-^^"%ji 


APPENDIX 


NUMBER  I. 

A  PLAN  of  a  proposed  union  of  the  several  colonies  of  Massa- 
chusetts Bay,  New-Hampshire,  Connecticut,  Rhode- Island, 
New-York,  New-Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia,  North- 
Carolina  and  South-Carolina,  for  their  mutual  defence  and  security, 
^nd  for  e:(tending  the  British  settlements  in  North-America,  in 
July,  1754. 

I.  That  humble  application  be  made  for  an  act  of  parliament  of 
Great-Britain,  by  viriL'e  of  which,  one  general  government  may  be 
formed  in  America,  including  all  the  said  colonies,  within  and  unr 
der  which  government  each  colony  may  retain  its  present  constitu- 
tion, except  in  the  particulars  wherein  a  change  may  be  directed  in 
thfi  said  act,  as  hereafter  follows. 

II.  That  within  months  after  the  passing  of  such  act,  the 
house  of  representatives  th^t  happens  to  be  sitting  within  that  time, 
or  that  shall  be  especially  for  that  purpose  convened,  shall  choose 
Bjieml^ers  for  the  grand  CQUncil  ia  th<i  following  proportions,  that  is 
to  say, 

Massachusetts  Bay,  7 

New-Hampshire,  9 

^   i  Connecticut,  r     jj 

Rhode-Island,  ^ 

New- York, 

New- Jersey, 

Pennsylvania, 

Maryland, 

Virginia, 

North-Carolin9, 

South-Carolina, 
who  shall  meet  for  the  first  time  Tat  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  in 
Pennsylvania,  being  called  by  the  president  general,  as  soon  as 
conveniently  may  be  after  his  appointment. 

III.  That  there  shall  be  a  new  election  of  the  members  of  the 
grand  council  every  tl^ree  yeari^ ;  and  on  the  death  or  resignation  of 


4 

« 
4 

7 
4 

4— [Total,  48] 


^48 


APPENDIX. 


any  member,  his  place  shall  be  supplied  by  a  new  choice  it  the 
next  silting  of  llu'  assembly  of  the  colony  he  represented. 

IV.  That  after  the  first  three  years,  when  the  proportion  of  the 
money  arising  out  of  each  colony  to  the  general  treosury  can  be 
known,  the  number  of  members  to  be  chosen  by  each  colony  shall, 
from  time  to  time,  in  all  ensuing  elections,  be  regulated  by  that 
proportion,  yet  so  as  the  number  to  be  chosen  by  any  one  pro- 
vince, be  not  more  than  seven,  nor  less  than  two. 

V.  That  the  grand  council  shall  meet  once  in  every  year,  and  of- 
tener  if  occasion  require,  at  such  time  and  place  as  they  shall  m\- 
journ  to  at  the  last  preceding  meeting,  or  as  they  shall  be  called  to 
meet  at  by  the  president  general  on  e^ny  emergency ;  he  having 
first  obtained,  in  writing,  the  consent  oiF  seven  of  the  members  to 
such  call,  and  sent  due  and  timely  notice  to  the  whole. 

VI.  That  the  grand  council  have  right  to*  choose  their  speaker  ; 
and  shall  neither  be  dissolved,  prorogued,  nor  continued  sitting, 
longer  than  six  weeks  at  one  time,  without  their  own  consent,  or 
the  special  command  of  the  crown. 

VII.  That  the  members  of  the  grand  council  shall  be  allowed 
for  their  services,  ten  shillings  sterling  per  diem,  during  their  ses- 
sion and  journey  to  and  from  the  place  of  meeting  ;  twenty  miles  to 
be  reckoned  a  day's  journey. 

VIII.  That  the  assent  of  the  president  general  be  requisite  to  all 
acts  of  the  grand  council,  and  tlvat  it  be  his  office  and  duty  to  cause 
them  to  be  carried  into  execution. 

IX.  That  the  president  general,  with  the  advice  of  the  grand 
council,  hold  or  direct  all  Indian  treaties,  in  which  the  general  in- 
terest of  the  colonies  may  be  concernet^ :  and  make  peace  and  de- 
clare war  with  Indian  nations. 

X.  That  they  make  such  laws  as  shall  be  judged  necessary  for 
regulating  the  Indian  trade. 

XI.  That  they  make  all  purchases  from  the  Indians,  fo,r  the 
crown,  of  lands,  not  now  within  the  bounds  of  particular  colonies, 
or  that  shall  not  be  within  their  bounds  when  some  of  them  are  re- 
duced to  more  convenient  dimensions. 

XII.  That  they  make  new  settlements  on  such  purchases,  by 
granting  lands  in  the  king's  name,  reserving  a  quit  rent  to  the 
crown,  for  the  use  of  the  general  treasury. 

XIII.  That  they  make  laws  for  regulating  and  governing  such 
new  setd^ments,  till  the  crown  should  think  fit  to  form  them  into 
particular  governments. 

XIV.  That  they  raise  and  pay  soldiers,  and  build  forts,  for  the 
defence  of  any  of  the  colonies,  and  equip  vessels  of  force  to  guard 
the  coasts,  and  protect  trade  on  the  ocean,  lakes,  or  the  great  riv- 
ers ;  but  they  shall  not  impress  m^^inany  colony,  without  the  con^ 
sentof the  legislature.  iV      .'l    .^: 

XV.  That  for  these  purposes,  they  hs^ve  po^yer  to  make  lawSj^ 


'■ 


APPENDIX'. 


84S 


the 


juil  lay  an»i  levy  such  general  duties,  imposts,  or  taxes,  as  to  them 
shall  appear  most  ecjual  and  just,  (considering  the  ability  and  other 
circumstances  of  the  inhabitants  in  the  several  colonies,)  and  such 
as  may  be  collected  with  the  least  inconvenience  to  the  people, 
rather  discouraging  luxury,  than  loading  industry  with  unnecessary 
burthens. 

XVI.  That  they  may  appoint  a  general  treasurer,  and  particular 
treasurers  in  each  government,  when  necessary,  and  from  time  to 
time,  may  order  the  sums  in  the  treasuries  of  each  government 
into  the  general  treasury  ;  or  draw  on  them  for  special  payments, 
as  they  lind  most  convenient. 

XVII.  Vet  no  money  to  issue  but  by  the  joint  orders  of  the 
president  general  and  grand  council ;  except  where  sums  have  been 
appropriated  to  particular  purposes,  and  the  president  general  is 
previously  empowered  by  an  act  to  dra\v  such  sums. 

XVIII.  That  the  general  accounts  shall  be  yearly  settled  dnd  re- 
ported to  the  general  assemblies. 

XIX.  That  a  quorum  of  the  grand  coOncil  empowered  to  act,  wif  h 
the  president  general,  do  consist  of  twenty-five  members  ;  among 
whom  there  shall  be  one  or  more  from  a  majority  of  the  colonies. 

XX.  That  the  laws  made  by  them,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid, 
shall  not  be  repugnant,  but  as  near  as  may  be  agreeable  to  the  laws 
of  England,  and  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  kitig  in  council,  for  ap- 
probation, as  soon  as  may  be  after  their  passing  ;  and  if  not  disap- 
proved within  three  years  after  presentation,  to  remain  in  force. 

XXI.  That  in  case  of  the  death  of  the  president  general,  the 
speaker  of  the  grand  council  for  the  time  being,  shall  succeed,  and 
be  vested  with  the  same  powers  and  authorities,  to  continue  till  the 
king's  pleasure  be  known. 

XXII.  That  all  military  commission  officers,  whether  for  land  or 
sea  service,  to  act  under  this  general  constitution,  shall  be  nomi- 
nated by  the  pi'esident  general ;  but  the  approbation  of  the  grand 
council  is  to  be  obtained  before  they  receive  their  commissions. 
And  all  civil  officers  are  to  be  nominated  by  the  grand  council,  and 
to  receive  the  president  general's  approbation  before  they  officiate. 

XXIII.  But  in  case  of  vacancy,  by  death  or  removal  of  any  offi- 
cer, civil  or  military,  under  tliis  constitution,  the  governor  of  the 
province  under  which  such  vacancy  happens,  may  appoint,  till  the 
pleasure  of  the  president  general  and  grand  council  can  be  known. 

XXIV.  That  the  particular  military,  as  well  as  civil  establish- 
ments in  each  colony,  remain  in  their  present  state,  the  general  con- 
stitution notwithstanding ;  and  that,  on  sudden  emergencies,  any 
colony  may  defend  itself,  and  lay  the  account  of  the  expense  thenco 
arising  before  the  president  general,  and  general  council,  who  may 
allow  and  order  payment  of  the  same,  as  they  judge  accounts  just 
Qfld  reasonable. 

Doctor  Franklin,  who  aftenvards  appeared  so  firmly  and  nobly  in 


i\' 


544 


APPENDIX. 


the  defence  of  the  liberties  of  America,  tt as  ^  warm  advocate  for 
the  plan  of  a  general  council,  agreed  upon  in  the  preceding  arti- 
cles, which  the  legislature  of  Connecticut  judged  would  be  more 
subversive  of  their  liberties  than  the  government  of  the  king  and 
parliament.  They  therefore  opposed  it  by  ail  means  in  their 
power. 


,*v 


"it- 


..,*. 


(( '■ 


iV 


iJ.-> 


.£::! 


jfe        ^'- 


Ir.  -«.-f*?;,,\ 


M 


■♦  . ' 


y*  . 


NUMBER  II. 


■  ■  :-rtr 


Literature  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  January j  1818. 

OF  YALE  COLLEGE,  ITS  BUILDINGS,  FACULTY,  AND  LIBRA- 
RIES. 


Buildings.    Length  find  breadth. 

NORTH  College,  ' 
Lyceum,  -  .        . 

Midd''   College,    - 
Chapel,  ... 

South  College, 


Four  ttoriet.    AU  in  a  line. 

108  feet  by  40  feet. 

56  by  46 
100         by  40 

50  by  40 
104         by  38 


It 


Back  of  the  colleges,  is  a  Kitchen  and  large  Dining-Room. 

Under  the  Lyceum,  is  a  Laboratory  for  chemical  operations, 
is  furnished  with  an  extensive  apparatus,  and  a  full  course  of  in- 
struction is  given  in  this  branch,  as  well  as  in  natural  philosophy, 
for  which  there  is  also  a  very  valuable  apparatus.  The  great  mine- 
ral cabinet  of  colonel  Gibbs,  consisting  of  more  than  10,000  choice 
specimens,  is  deposited  in  Yale  College,  which,  also,  possesses  a 
good  cabinet  of  its  own,  and  full  courses  of  instruction  are  given  ia 
thiii  branch  also.  .,  ,     i 

FACULTY. 

Rev.  Jeremiah  Day,  LL.D.  President,  and  Professor  of  Mathe- 
matics and  Natural  Philosophy. 

^NEAs  MoNsoN,  M.D.  Professor  of  Materia  Medica  and  Botany^ 

Nathan  Smith,  M.D.  C.S.M.  S.  Lond.  Professor  of  the  Theory 
and  Practice  of  Physic,  Surgery,  and  Obstetricks. 

Benjamin  Silliman,  Profess<>r  of  Chemistry,  Pharmacy,  Mine- 
ralogy, and  Geology. 

James  L.  Kinosley,  A.  M.  Professor  of  the  Hebrew,  Greek  and 
Latin  Languages. 

Eli  Ives,  M.D.  Adjunct  Professor  of  Materia  Medica  and  Botany. 

Jonathan  Knight,  Professor  of  Anatomy  and  Physiology. 

Rev.  Eleazer  T.  Fitch,  A.M.  Professor  of  Dr'vinity. 

Rev.  Chauncey  A.  Goodrich,  A.  M.  Professor  of  Rhetoric  and 
Oratory. 

Alexander  Fisher,  A.  M.  Adjunct  Professor  of  Mathematics  and 

Philosonhy. 

TUTORS.  .  ^ 

Elisha  Mitchell,  A.  M.  Horace  Hooker,  A.B.         v^ 

Frederick  Morgan,  A.  M.  Hubbard  Rockwell,  A.  B« 

•     William  Dwxoht,  A.  M.  Joseph  Wickham,  A.  B«      «t 

T  3  ^-n^t 


H  '* 


-ilNK'-/. 


$i» 


APPENDIX. 

RfsiiJcri'  Gridnatt  . 

STUDENTS. 
Senior  C'lass, 
Junior  Ci.iS8, 
Sophomorr  Class, 
Freshman  Class,     - 


G7 

7.J 

7-2—283  tolah 


LIBRAFILS. 

The  College  Library  consists  of  Lolween  sis:  and  seven  thou,  n  at 
Volumes. 

There  arc  three  libraries  in  the  college,  owned,  by  tJ)('  sludc  n(s, 
under  the  names  of  Linonian,  Brothers',  and  Mora!  ybi-aiies.  Tin  , 
consist  of  the  number  of  volumes  following : 

The  1-inonian  Librcry  consists  of        -         V>b-\  volumes. 
Brothers'  -         -         oi      -  R60 

3»Ioral        -        -        -      of        -        30c? 


Total,     2,017 
The  wiioie  nvmibrr  nj  volumes,  exclusive  of  those  possessed  by 
the  officers  of  the  colwi  r,  andindividud  students,  which  are  many, 
amount  to  nearly  9,000,  and  i»ey  ar<  constantly  increasing. 

The  Medical  Instituliort,  f -"nuected  with  the  college,  has  a  large, 
handsome  stone  burldint^,  adjoining  to  which  there  is  a  botanical 
garden*     The  ji^reacki:  uuniber  of  students,  is  d^O. 

"'^    '.  ACADEMIES.  ■  .jJ  ':.>►' '.u^   ^^v       .J;- 

Of  these,  there  are  a  considerable  number. 

The  Episcopi'  Academy,  in  Cheshire.  This  had  originally  a 
fund  of  abont  12^,500  dollars.  It  has  increased  since  to  about  25,0<30 
dollars.  It  has  a  good  brick  building,  54  by  34,  erected  by  the 
town,  in  1796.  It  was  incorporated  in  1801,  and  styled  the  Epis- 
copal Academy  of  fConnecticut;  and  has  a  library  of  about  200 
volumes,  consisting  principally  of  Greek  and  Latin  authors. 

Rev.  TiiiiOTSON  Bronsoiv,  D.  J),  is  Principal.  Rev.  Asa  Corn- 
wall, Professor  of  Languages.  Burrage  Beach,  Esq.  Treasurer 
and  Secretanr.  Anniversary,  the  first  Wednesday  in  October.  The 
Average  number  of  scholars,  is  about  70. 

Bacon  Academy,  in  Colchester,  vvas  founded  in  1 803.  The  ori- 
ginal fund,  or  donation  of  Mr.  Bacon,  was  36,000  dollars.  The 
academy  is  a  very  beautiful  building,  73  feet  by  34,  three  stories 
high.  Preceptor,  John  Witter,  A.  M.  The  average  number  of 
scholars  is  about  200.  ^* 

Staples  Academy,  in  North-Fairfield.  This  was  founded  in 
1781,  in  consequence  of  a  generous  donation  in  lands,  and  notes  on 
interest,  to  several  trustees  named  by  Mr.  Staples,  and  appointed 
for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  free  school  in  the  society  of  North- 
Fairfjeld,  in  the  town  of  Fairfield.  The  trustees  named  by  the  do- 
nor, viz.  the  Rev.  Robert  Ross,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Sherwood,  and 
James  Johnson,  were  incorporated  by  the  general  assembly,  May. 


•*«. 


APPENDIX. 


M7 


K  nl 


1781,  by  the  nnmc  of  The  TruMcos  of  Staples'  Free  School ;  atul 
were  enabled  to  hold  property  to  5uch  a\\  nmount,  that  the  annual 
interest  should  not  exceed  &  thou<<nnd  dollars.  The  present  iit- 
structor  is  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Freeman,  A.  M. 

Academy  at  Piainfield.  This  wai  founded  in  1784.  It  is  vested 
with  charter  privileges.  It  har,  a  fund  of  834  dollars.  The  iiite- 
I'c  i  of  this,  with  the  bills  for  tuition,  supports  the  school.  The 
n(  rnher  of  scholars,  on  an  average,  is  about  80.  The  fund  was 
g) .  (  .  by  Isaac  Coit,  Esq.  of  PlainAeld. 

I  I  f  a*  is  an  academy  at  Wallingford,  which  has  a  charter,  but  no 
i\h'>d.  The  Greek  and  Latin  languages  are  taught ;  the  English 
grammar,  and  other  branches  of  u<ioful  knowledge,  i  he  avei-arge 
number  of  scholars  is  about  45. 

Tf  <^re  are  several  other  academies  in  the  state,  which  have  no 
<  nart'.r;  in  some  of  which  the  learned  languages  are  taught.  Be- 
tides these,  there  arc  twelve  Greek  and  Latin  schools.        t 

DISTRICT  S^^HOOLS. 

By  the  law  of  the  state,  the  several  towns  in  it  are  divided  into 
districts,  for  the  schooling  of  the  children  and  youth.  Committees 
are  appointed  to  examine  the  masters  and  mistresses  of  the  schools, 
and  talce  care  that  they  are  duly  qualified  for  instructors.  The  state 
is  divided,  according  to  the  best  collection  I  have  been  able  to  ob- 
tain, into  about  1,580  district  schools,  consisting  of  different  num- 
bers. )n  some  of  them  there  are  an  hundred  scholars,  or  more ;  in 
others  there  are  not  more  than  twenty.  On  an  average,  they  will 
amount  to  fifty-five,  or  fifty-six.  From  between  one  third  and  one 
half  of  the  whole  population  are  schooled  the  greatest  part  of  the 
year — In  the  winter,  and  part  of  the  fall  and  spring,  by  masters,  and 
in  the  warmer  and  more  busy  season,  by  mistresses.  For  the  sup- 
port of  these  schools,  the  legislature  have  appropriated  very  ample 
funds  : — one  arising  from  new  lands,  sold  by  the  then  colony,  many 
years  since — the  other  from  the  sale  of  the  land  in  New  Connecti- 
cut. These  lands,  called  the  Western  Reserve,  sold  for  1,200,000 
dollars.  In  October,  1815,  the  value  of  the  fund,  as  reported  by 
the  committee  of  said  fund,  was  $1,501,914  89,  secured  by  mort- 
gages and  lanus.  Since  October,  1815,  there  has  been  funded  and 
added  to  the  principal,  106,759  dolls,  making  the  present  amount 
of  the  school  fund,  $1,608,673  89.  The  dividends  on  the  school 
funds,  paid  to  the  different  school  societies  m  the  state,  for  the 
year  ending  March  1st,  1818,  on  the  list  of  181G,  is  as  follows  : 

October  dividend,  1817,        -        -        -      Dolls.  19,761..87 

March  dividend,  1818,      -         -         -         -  29,643..11 

Allowance  of  two  dollars  on  the  1000,  on  the 
list  of  1816,  payable  out  of  the  treasury,  on 
jhepldfutMl, 13,174..68 


I       :■ 


Dolls.  62,579..66 


548 


APPENDIX. 


Besides  the  ncadcmies  which  have  charters,  the  crammar  and 
district  schools,  there  afe  ubout  twenty  of  hi^^her  order,  in  which 
youns  gentlemen  and  ladies  arc  instructed  in  higher  branches  of 
knowlcilgc  than  arc  taught  in  the  district  schools. 


NUMBER  HI. 

Libraries  J  Newspapers^  and  Reading  of  the  State, 

EXCLUSIVE  of  the  libraries  of  the  clergy,  lawyers,  and  phy- 
sicians, and  the  Masonic  libraries,  of  which  there  are  many  large 
and  excellent  ones,  there  are  libraries  in  almost  all  the  towns  and 
societies  in  the  state ;  formed  by  particular  companies,  and,  gene- 
rally, under  good  regulations.  According  to  the  best  information 
which  the  writer  has  been  able  to  obtain,  there  are  about  140  of 
these  libraries,  containing,  in  the  whole,  about  26,000  volumes.* 
These  have,  generally,  been  instituted  since  the  American  revolu- 
tion. They,  generally,  contain  a  well  chosen  assortment  of  books 
in  divinity,  morals,  geography,  history,  biography,  voyages,  travels, 
&c.  The  proprietors  draw  from  them  as  they  please.  They  afford 
a  stimulus  and  taste  for  reading. 

There  are  published,  weekly,  in  the  state,  fifteen  folio  newspa- 
pers, besides  the  Religious  Intelligencer.  These  papers,  it  is  esti- 
mated, will  average  at  a  thousand  each,  so  that  about  15,000  or 
16,000  folio  papers  are  read  every  week.  Some  of  these  papers 
go  out  of  the  state ;  but,  it  is  believed,  more  are  received  and  read 
from  the  other  states,  than  are  sent  out  of  this  into  them.  From 
this  exhibition  of  the  schools,  libraries,  and  public  papers,  some 
adequate  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  general  diffusion  of  knowledge 
among  the  inhabitants,  and  of  the  reading  and  intelligenv:e  of  the 
state. 

RELIGIOUS  INSTRUCTION. 

There  are  in  the  state,  according  to  the  best  information  which  I 
have  been  able  to  obtain,  145  Congregational  associated  ministers ; 
30  Episcopalians ;  and  62  Baptist  ministers — 237.  There  are  five 
or  six  Independent  or  Separate  ministers,  several  fixed  Methodist 
preachers,  and  one  Sandemanian  minister.  In  the  whole,  there  are 
about  250  settled  teachers,  nearly  one  to  every  thousand  of  the  in- 
habitants. 

There  are  about  50  other  public  teachers,  either  ministers  who 
have  been  dismissed  in  good  standing,  or  candidates  for  the  minis- 
try. These  are  employed  as  missionaries  abroad,  or  in  preaching 
to  vacant  congregations,  as  circumstances  require. 

*  From  a  r  onsiderable  number  of  towns,  no  account  of  their  libraries  has  been  receiv- 
ed.   lti«bclieved,thatthewholenumberof volumesisnotlessthanSOjOOO.        ;"  ' 


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